Structured Electives - Chinese Language, Culture and Studies

Structured Elective in Chinese Language, Culture and Studies

China, with a population of 1.4 billion people and a GDP of over €12 trillion as of 2018, is the world’s most populous country and is set to become the largest world economy. In 2019, bilateral trade between Ireland and China reached €17 billion in goods and services. China has been Ireland's largest trading partner in Asia since 2006 and is currently Ireland’s fifth biggest market for agri-food exports.

What is this Structured Elective about? 

Once a student has successfully completed the Structured Elective in Chinese Language, Culture and Studies during their degree (15 credits), their official transcript will state that, in addition to their degree, they have also been awarded a “Structured Elective in Chinese Language, Culture and Studies.” Electives taken at any stage of their programme may be included. Students will not register for this elective specialisation in advance. It will be awarded post hoc based on the electives they have chosen during their undergraduate studies. No guarantee will be given to students that it will be possible to take 15 credits from the set. This will depend on module places being available and on the exigencies of the timetable. Pre-requisites apply to some modules.

Why should I take this structured Elective? 

The Structured Elective in Chinese Language and Culture is aimed at the “General Elective” audience within UCD for students with an interest in both Chinese language and its culture, including society, culture, politics, economy and doing business in China. Modules are chosen to complement their on-going studies or personal interests. This structured elective supports the spirit of UCD Horizons allowing students to direct their own journey of academic and personal progress.

How would this Structured Elective benefit me?

This set of modules aims to improve students’ competence in communicating with Chinese, and their understanding of China-related issues. On completion of these modules, students will have demonstrated:

1) A knowledge of China, particularly in various aspects of Chinese culture. Students will have better understanding of Chinese deep-rooted cultural tradition which significantly influences the way Chinese people develop their business relationships with the West.

2) An understanding of the context, processes and issues relating to politics and media in contemporary China, and China's role in the international arena.

3) A knowledge and understanding of China, in particular in the aspects of contemporary Chinese society.

4) A familiarity with key economic magnitudes and institutional settings of the contemporary Chinese economy.

5) A comprehensive understanding of the contemporary environment of doing business in China and an appreciation of some of the implications for firms seeking to undertake business there.

6) Their competence development in communicating with Chinese.

How do I take the modules in this Structured Elective & what are they?

• In order to earn this Structured Elective, the specified modules must be taken in or after 2020/21.
• To receive this Structured Elective, the required modules must be taken as Elective modules and not as Core or Option modules.
• Students must take at least 15 credits from the following modules during their degree. Note that these modules can be taken in any order and at any stage as none are a pre-requisite for any other. The stages detailed below are the recommended stages at which to take each module.
• Students will NOT register for this Structured Elective in advance. It will be awarded post hoc based on the electives they have chosen during their undergraduate degree.
• No guarantee will be given to students that it will be possible to take 15 credits from the set. This will depend on module places being available and on the exigencies of the timetable.
• Pre-requisites apply to some modules.