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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures : Asian Studies

Undergraduate Course: Doing research in Chinese Studies (ASST08064)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Literatures, Languages and Cultures CollegeCollege of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 8 (Year 2 Undergraduate) AvailabilityNot available to visiting students
SCQF Credits20 ECTS Credits10
SummaryDoing research in Chinese Studies will introduce students on Chinese studies degree programmes to the principles of research design and give students the experience of working on an independent research project in advance of their year abroad and honours research projects. The course is split across two semesters. In the first semester the focus is on teaching where the principles of good research design will be introduced. In the second semester students will complete an independent research project supported by staff.

NOTE: This course is available only to students on a degree programme in Chinese.
Course description Doing research in Chinese Studies will introduce students on Chinese studies degree programmes to the principles of research design and give students the experience of working on an independent research project. The course will prepare students for the work they will be doing during their year abroad and honours dissertation/ long essays. In the longer term, the course will provide students with the skills and understanding for conducting and presenting rigorous independent research.

The course builds on the principles of good academic practice introduced in the first year of a student's degree. The course is split across two semesters. In the first semester the focus is on teaching research methods and individually completed tasks where the principles of good research design will be introduced. This will be done through classes focusing on the principles and structure of good research which will then be illustrated and explored in more detail through a series of thematic sessions focusing on research conducted on China during different periods. In the second semester students will complete an independent research project supported by staff. Students will select a topic, design a research proposal, carry out this research, and finally produce a suitably formatted text.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Course Delivery Information
Not being delivered
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. Critically assess academic resources and identify gaps for further research.
  2. Design and execute a research project.
  3. Identify, gather, and evaluate suitable primary sources (including Chinese language sources).
  4. Evaluate academic work as pieces of research.
  5. Produce a piece of written research in a suitable print and digital format.
Reading List
Heimer, M. and Thogersen, S. (ed). (2006) Doing fieldwork in China. Copenhagen: NIAS Press.
Thomas, G. (2013). How to do your research project. London: SAGE.
Wilkinson, Endymion. (2015) Chinese history: a new manual. Cambridge, MA: Harvard Unviersity Asia Center.
Yu, Pauline (ed). (2000) Ways with Words: Writing about Reading Texts from Early China. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press.
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills Research and enquiry: Problem solving; analytical thinking; critical thinking; knowledge integration and application; handling complexity and ambiguity, operating with academic skills.
Personal and intellectual autonomy: Self-awareness and reflection; independent learning and development; creative and inventive thinking.
Personal effectiveness: Planning, organising and time management; assertiveness and confidence; flexibility.
Communication: Interpersonal skills, verbal and written communication, presentation.
KeywordsChinese,Asian Studies,academic skills,research skills
Contacts
Course organiserDr Daniel Hammond
Tel:
Email: Daniel.Hammond@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMrs Vivien MacNish Porter
Tel: (0131 6)50 3528
Email: vivien.macnish-porter@ed.ac.uk
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