Structured Electives in Chinese Studies
China, with a population of 1.4 billion people and a GDP of over €17 trillion as of 2021, is the world’s most populous country and is set to become the largest world economy. In 2020, 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?
This Structured Elective in Chinese Studies offers a wide range of modules to help students gain an understanding of China in various aspects. Once a student has successfully completed the Structured Elective in Chinese 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 Studies.”
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?
On successful completion of Structured Elective in Chinese Studies, students will:
- Improve their understanding and knowledge of China with a particular focus on Chinese culture, and have a better understanding of Chinese deep-rooted cultural tradition which significantly influences the way Chinese people develop their business relationships with the West (CHN10050 Chinese Culture)
- Understand the context, processes and issues relating to the governance and media in contemporary China, and China's role in the international arena. (CHN10100 Contemporary China: Governance Structures and Media)
- Get to know the Chinese legal system in general as well as some core legal rules governing and regulating the operation of business in China, and familiarise themselves with the operation of China’s contemporary legal system to deal with legal issues while doing business in China (CHN20050 Chinese Law)
- Demonstrate a good knowledge and understanding of China, particularly in the aspects of contemporary Chinese society (CHN20120 Contemporary Chinese Society)
- Develop the ability to comprehend and analyse major theoretical and policy issues in China's economic development and transformation including their implications for the business environment and practices, and have a greater familiarity with the key economic magnitudes and institutional settings of the contemporary Chinese economy (CHN30060 Chinese Economy)
- Develop 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, be able to critically examine the major components, determinants and practices of running enterprises in China, and develop a practical awareness of doing business in China (CHN30050 Doing Business in China)
How do I take the modules in this Structured Elective?
- 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.