Chinese Studies

Chinese Studies

www.uwtsd.ac.uk

Welcome to UWTSD Lampeter One of the most important choices you will make in life is not just where you go to university, but what sort of education you’ll get while you’re there. When you’re working your way through the Higher Education admissions procedure, it’s easy for you to feel overwhelmed.

At UWTSD Lampeter, we hope to make this process easier for you by giving you a comprehensive insight into UWTSD, particularly the Lampeter campus, where you could be living for 3 years (or more!).

Over the next few pages, we want to introduce you to the things that make Lampeter unlike any other campus, in any other University and show you what makes our courses unique.

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students d fie were satis ent d with “Stu s” Ser vice “Lampeter is one global village, with a wealth of knowledge and resources.

It’s just like home” Esther, BA Anthropology

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Community Spirit

Lampeter retains the small college feel so that each student can develop a fantastic relationship with their lecturers. We are proud to say that UWTSD came 5th in the UK for good personal relationships with teaching staff*.

Excellent Student Support

Student support teams are consistently there to look after your wellbeing.

Rich Heritage

In 1822, the Lampeter campus – St David’s College – was founded, making us the oldest degree awarding University in England and Wales besides Oxford and Cambridge.

Dedicated Academic Staff

Our academic staff contribute to cuttingedge research and disseminate it to their students. It is no surprise that UWTSD is 8th in the UK for high-quality staff/lectures*.

Your Studies, Your Decision

Every student is heavily involved in their own education. We offer a range of degrees, Single Honours, Joint Honours, Combined Honours and Manor/Minor Honours to choose from. *Times Higher Education Student Experience Survey 2016

“I chose Lampeter because it is a beautiful part of the world and I feel very welcome there.”

Bethan, BA Classical Civilisation

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Lampeter Town Lampeter is a university town where students and staff are integral to its cultural, economic and community life, and where the town – its people, shops, pubs and groups – are woven into the fabric of the university.

Lampeter offers an alternative, refreshing university experience; there is a vibrancy and energy within the town, where students are welcomed into the community, a tradition that has been upheld for almost two centuries.

Collaboration with the local community

Award-winning cafés & shops

Town Facilities

The local museum, is ideally situated on the Lampeter campus.

Here, students can curate and exhibit artefacts, and gain valuable experience working in the heritage sector with volunteers and staff with ample experience in the industry.

Lampeter hosts an eclectic range of shops covering everything from clothes to camping equipment, and from kebabs to fine dining.

For those who enjoy swimming, there is a leisure centre which is 5 minutes’ walking distance from the campus. Students have free access to the local swimming pool during student sessions, or can use the swimming pool as a member of the public at other times.

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Benefitting from our rural roots, an allotment is flourishing on the campus. With the help of staff, students, and members of the town, herbs, vegetables and beautiful flowers are being sown.

The university and town share sports facilities and pitches, while our students play as often for the university teams as for the town ones.

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Look out for Conti’s Café & Ice Cream, a longstanding, family-run café which prides itself on its award-winning ice cream flavours, and locallysourced food.

If you are keen on organic produce and healthfoods, the Mulberry Bush is equally renowned for its excellence. A healthfood shop and vegetarian café, the Mulberry Bush was a finalist in the Best Independent Retailer 2014.

There are many pubs in Lampeter, all of which offer superb ales and a mix of students and locals. If you’re looking for a part-time job, there are many opportunities for students to earn some extra cash.

“Lovely small town atmosphere with plenty of shops and sense of community” Eurgain, BA Applied Anthropology

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You can stock up on food in various shops, from supermarkets to local butchers, organic food shops, as well as a Farmers’ Market.

The medical centre is conveniently placed on the edge of the campus.

Upon enrolment students will be registered to the medical centre.

There are regular bus links with direct services to, Carmarthen, Aberystwyth, Swansea, Cardiff and London.

Aberaeron: A picturepostcard seaside town Make your way along the beautiful and rugged Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire coastal paths Aberystwyth & Carmarthen: main rail links to N and SW of England respectively Strata Florida Abbey: Here, our students regularly participate in explorations and excavations Dolaucothi Roman Gold Mines: This ancient gold mine is a regular field trip opportunity for those interested in the ancient world

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Lampeter Campus The design of the Lampeter campus allows you to get the most out of your experience with us: we support you to focus, and ensure that you are afforded the luxury to concentrate on your studies.

We make sure that everything you might need is close at hand. In contrast to other universities where you might have to travel to your lectures at a great cost of time and money, here, at Lampeter, all you have to do is take a brief, pleasant walk down a gentle hill from the Halls to arrive at the heart of the teaching blocks.

You will find the rest of the university services just a stone’s throw away from the teaching blocks. This includes the research labs, the food outlets, a coffee shop that serves locally produced fairtrade food, library, chapel, mosque, launderette, museum, gym, student services, bar, night club, film club, media centre, students’ union buildings, the IT services and computer rooms; even your post is collected and stored for you!

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“One of the best things about Lampeter is the lecturers. They treat students with respect, are approachable, and are enthusiastic about their subjects.”

Katie, BA Ancient History and Classical Studies

“I loved it so much here I have stayed for my Masters!”

Rachael, MArts Theology

“I’m having an enjoyable time, great scenery, top academics and I don’t want to leave.”

David, BA Ancient History

“Lampeter offers the perfect atmosphere for inquisitive minds to strive and progress in any chosen field.”

Lisa, BA Philosophy

Students’ Union The Students’ Union plays a key role in ensuring that all students are represented and supported. You can contribute to the Students’ Union by volunteering, fundraising or simply taking part in events!:

“I have made some amazing friends here that I know I will be friends with when I graduate.”

Sarah, BA Archaeology

“The SU has creative events and provides something for everyone” Eurgain, BA Applied Anthropology “The clubs and societies are good, especially the sport ones. There are a lot of opportunities to play against other universities” Heather, BA Ancient History and Archaeology

“The football team is great!”

Mikey, BA Classical Studies

“I’m in the Dance Society - it’s great and very well organised” Lucy, BA Classical Studies

Football Rugby Battle Soc Viking Soc Live Action Role Play Pagan Soc Musical Theatre Yoga Philosophy Feminist Celtic LGBT+ Christian Sacred Arts Disney Singing Medieval Netball Fencing Hockey Basketball Archery Gaming Performing Arts

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Accommodation All students have the option of living in halls for the duration of their studies and all accommodation options include wireless internet and parking.

There is a variety of accommodation on offer, including ensuite or nonensuite bedrooms. The halls of residence are self-catered and each flat includes a communal kitchen.

All the accommodation is within easy distance of lecture rooms, the 1822 Café and the Students’ Union.

The cost of living in West Wales in considerably less than in the rest of Wales and the UK as a whole. Thanks to low accommodation costs, you should be able to live on the Lampeter campus without incurring as much debt, nor will you need as much financial support from family or part-time work. This gives you the chance to focus on your studies and the student life.

For more information about accommodation or to download an accommodation application form, please see our website: http://www.uwtsd.ac.uk/ accommodation/

Average weekly rent according to accommodation category (latest NUS data, 2013)

Weekly rent in Lampeter campus accommodation, 2015/16

Savings Savings per week per year (38 weeks)

Self-catering single single

£97.08

£68

£29.08

£1105.04

Self-catering en-suite-cite

£122.81

£84

£38.81

£1474.78

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We have Hall Wardens who are onhand to help with any problems you may have.

Porters work on the Lampeter campus 24 hours a day. The security team ensure that the campus is secure and are always available, should you need anything.

Ann Harris, our Accommodation Officer, is much-loved by the students on the Lampeter campus. She ensures that the accommodation is suitable and manages any accommodation queries that you may have.

Average cost of renting a 3 bedroom property 1

Lampeter £501 per calendar month £167 per person

2

Carmarthen £582 per calendar month £194 per person

3

Swansea £643 per calendar month £214.33 per person

4

Liverpool £668 per calendar month £222.67 per person

5

Birmingham £748 per calendar month £249.33 per person

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Cardiff £884 per calendar month £294.67 per person

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Manchester £885 per calendar month £295 per person

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Bristol £1,092 per calendar month £364 per person

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London £4,473 per calendar month £1,491 per person

9 London

8 Bristol

7 Manchester

6 Cardiff

Accommodation Cost

5 Birmingham

2 Carmarthen

3 Swansea 4 Liverpool

Living Cost

UWTSD was ranked #8 for ‘Living Cost’ Accommodation Cost

out of 46 institutions

UWTSD was ranked #5 out for ‘Accommodation Cost’ Financial Support

“92% of UWTSD students were satisfied with “safety”*

1 Lampeter

UWTSD was ranked #4 for ‘Financial Support’

of 46 institutions

out of 46 institutions

*Global International Student Barometer and Student Barometer Autumn Wave 2015

Sources: www.home.co.uk - 2/2/16 & Global International Student Barometer and Student Barometer, Autumn Wave 2015

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Facilities

Library

Roderic Bowen Library & Archives The Roderic Bowen Library and Archives (RBLA) is undoubtedly the most unique aspect of study at Lampeter. It houses some 35,000 printed works from before 1850, a small collection of Medieval manuscripts (the oldest being c.1200), around 100 manuscripts from the Early Modern period, and a host of other written treasures.

The RBLA provides you with the opportunity to enhance your learning, enhance your CV, and gain valuable skills for future employment.

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Get the chance to uncover unknown, uncatalogued historical documents from various historical periods

The Lampeter Library has a wide range of printed and electronic works that students can access throughout their studies. The library contains quiet study spaces, - Volunteers are welcome to curate computer workstations, and study online exhibitions or catalogue rooms for you to arrange a study documents. group, or have some quiet time to work alone.

- Hands-on work with manuscripts and artefacts.

All rooms have wireless internet - Archivists and lecturers present to access, so you can use your laptop or tablet with ease and study assist and guide you. wherever you are.

“The RBLA is fantastic because students get the chance to involve themselves directly with the archive and its materials. Other institutions cannot compete because they are just too big.�

Peter Hopkins, Archivist at the RBLA.

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Support Services Across your years of study you may need various levels of support: academic, personal, and/or financial.

On the Lampeter Campus, the Canterbury Building is the hub for all your support needs.

Academic Support

Student Services

Career Services

For every academic year, there is a Welfare Officer. They are the point of contact for any student who wants to discuss non-academic concerns or issues that impact on their studies.

The Student Services team offer advice on issues from academic skills to finance, and can provide students with one-to-one support from professional mentors.

There is a team of professional qualified careers advisors who are there to support all students and graduates of UWTSD and ensure that you receive all the necessary support to make an informed decision about future careers and maximise your potential and employability.

UWTSD offers a wide range of scholarships and bursaries to assist students financially with issues ranging from childcare to studyrelated travel.

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For more information, please visit our website: www.uwtsd.ac.uk/bursaries

The advisors can help with all aspects of career planning, from choosing a career, to application procedures and CV techniques, interviews, and work experience.

For more information, visit: www.uwtsd.ac.uk/careers

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Immersive Learning at UWTSD Lampeter We are committed in providing the best learning possible for our students, with a view to their academic development and skills acquisition. Too often the image of university teaching remains the stuffy lecture theatre. That is not the case for our students.

Besides lectures, students actively contribute to seminars and workshops and have the opportunity to immerse themselves in their chosen subject area through experiential and problem-solving techniques.

Engagement is paramount in our teaching, whether through expert lectures at the cutting-edge of the academic field, hands-on fieldwork and trips, roleplaying or problem-solving sessions.

We believe in giving our students every opportunity to explore according to their interests and be independent learners and researchers, not only within the curriculum in modules such as the Dissertation, but also through initiatives like the Student Researcher, going to Posters in Parliament or becoming an intern in a local museum. Lecturers and students work collaboratively in discussion and debate, informing one another and encompassing views and ideas outside of their own.

The innovative teaching of UWTSD academics has been recognised and applauded in national and international Teaching in Higher Education conferences.

The Student Researcher Richard Manklow, Third-Year BA Ancient and Medieval History student is on the editorial board for The Student Researcher “My role within The Student Researcher allows me to get involved in a variety of tasks.

As a student member, I give ideas and advice as to how the journal is produced and help to decide what events we organise. So far this year I have attended the British Conference for Undergraduate Research (BCUR) as an observer; I have edited articles that were submitted to the journal that we have decided to publish. On top of this, I have taken a forward role in the recruitment of, and communication with, members of the editorial board. In this role I have developed skills in organisation, planning, publishing, and working in a team.

As a group we have organised our first student-led UWTSD Undergraduate Research Conference and are currently half-way through the editing process for the upcoming journal.�

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Skills in the Humanities Skills acquisition and development is an integral part of all Humanities degrees, but at UWTSD the curriculum is specifically designed to give all students the opportunity to enhance their skills and their CVs in preparation for employment or further study.

Once you graduate from UWTSD with your Humanities degree you will be a student with the confidence and skills to pursue and thrive in a career of your choice, from working in the Education sector, Government & Politics, to Marketing, Creative Agencies, Heritage, Publishing, Human Resources, Sales, Charitable sector‌ the list is endless.

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China is one of the world’s great civilisations, with a rich cultural heritage providing the backdrop to a dynamic contemporary society. Thanks to a generous gift of books by benefactor Thomas Phillips (1760-1851), China has had a firm place in the curriculum of the university - then St David’s College - from the very beginning. The idea was then, and is now, that our knowledge and understanding in any field is incomplete unless we take the Chinese experience, both that of the past and of the present, into account.

Building on a solid linguistic foundation in modern and classical Chinese, this course focuses on the study of China’s history, philosophy, religions (particularly Daoism), film and literature, exploring how China has historically evolved to become the country it is today. Our modules examine China’s transformations both from a China-centred perspective and from the point of view of its manifold interactions with other countries and civilisations. We are one of the very few Chinese Studies programmes in the UK with a focus on China’s classical culture. You will gain access to the richness of this culture by studying its vast textual, archaeological and artistic heritage.

A degree in Chinese Studies equips you with transferable skills that allow you to work in a wide range of roles and capacities in many areas of employment. Obviously, Chinese Studies graduates have excellent chances in all those areas where a good knowledge of Mandarin and intercultural competence are essential.

Recent graduates have found employment as overseas recruitment and marketing officers, sales representatives with Mercedes in China, in the global logistics business, tourism or as translators or interpreters.

Some graduates have relocated to China and set up their own businesses there. Many graduates have successfully applied for postgraduate study in various subjects at prestigious universities in the UK, China and elsewhere.

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Explore our Degrees

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Chinese Studies The aim of this 4-year course is to provide the linguistic training, as well as the analytical and intercultural skills, necessary to operate effectively in a Chinese-speaking environment or to engage in teaching and research related to China.

Based on intensive language training in modern Mandarin and Classical Chinese, our students take specialist modules on aspects of Chinese culture, history, society, philosophy, literature and religion.

Chinese Studies students learn to critically engage with themes and theories across academic disciplines, using diverse materials and information sources. Students also spend the second year of their course at a university in China to put their gained knowledge into practice.

“My first time in China was 6 months as an UWTSD exchange student in Beijing, I had such a great experience there that I had to come back by any means.

Fast forward three years and I’m graduating with a Master’s in Economics from a Chinese 211 University in Wuhan.

The main reason I love China is the people; they are so friendly and will go out their way to help.”

Scott Gerard, BA Chinese Studies graduate 16 | www.uwtsd.ac.uk

(4 years)

Admissions We welcome applications from applicants both with and without prior knowledge of Mandarin.

Applicants who have obtained formal qualifications in Mandarin such as HSK, GSCE or A-Level will be able to take language modules at the appropriate level. We will conduct an entry test to determine a student’s actual proficiency in the areas of speaking, listening, reading and writing at point of entry into the programme.

Typical modules From Empire to Nation: Modern History of China:

Courses

This module will introduce students to key developments in modern Chinese history, tracing events from the end of the Qing dynasty until the present day. We will examine the impact of republicanism after the revolution of 1911 and the vast changes experienced by China since the Communist victory in 1949.

Throughout the module, close attention will be paid to China’s relationship with the West, from the conflicts of the nineteenth century to the ongoing embrace of capitalism.

BA Chinese Studies (4years)

Yangsheng and Daoist Body Philosophy: This module focuses on the historical development of Daoist philosophy and Daoist yangsheng (“nurturing life”) exercises in both China and the West. The term yangsheng broadly refers to a set of wellbeing exercises, including practices surrounding ‘self care’, ‘health maintenance’, ‘green medicine’, ‘natural life style’, ‘life preservation’, and ‘environmental protection’. Students will be encouraged to reflect upon this

Introduction to Chinese Literature The aim of this module is to broadly introduce students to the main genres and masterpieces of Chinese literature, including works of both prose and poetry. The focus is on the themes and stylistic features of major genres, but we will also discuss the historical contexts of literary production as well as the relationship between literature and politics, literature and gender, and literature and modernity. Each genre will be introduced through reading a prominent example in English translation.

BA Chinese Studies and Anthropology BA Chinese Studies and English BA Chinese Studies and Medieval Studies BA Chinese Studies and Philosophy BA Chinese Studies and Religious Studies BA Chinese Studies and History

Literary Chinese Readings This module focuses upon the detailed study of a selection of miracle tales (zhiguai 志怪 and chuanqi 傳奇) from collections such as Youming lu 幽冥錄, Gu xiaoshuo 古小説 or Taiping guangji 太平廣記. Students will develop high level of competency in close reading and, where appropriate, translation and a sophisticated understanding of both formal structures and the cultural contexts of stories of the supernatural in China.

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Chinese Civilisation

Chinese Civilisation gives you the opportunity to learn more about China and Chinese culture over time. In these degree schemes, you do not have to learn Chinese (except as an optional module), but rather you will concentrate on a greater range of themes relating to China, its history and culture.

We offer Chinese Civilisation as a joint honours option with a variety of other humanities subjects.

This way our students combine the exploration of Chinese life and culture with appropriate comparative studies in areas like anthropology, history or philosophy.

These courses are particularly suited to Chinese native speakers that wish to advance and enhance their knowledge of Chinese culture.

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Typical modules What makes civilisation?

Courses

Using various case studies from different parts of the world, this module introduces students to the key concepts ‘civilisation’, ‘society’ and ‘culture’, thus preparing you for the comparative study of ancient civilisations. Key themes will include religion, state (emergence and collapse), kingship, economy, elite culture, private sphere, identity, literacy/orality, as well as cultural memory.

BA Chinese Civilisation and English

Chinese Cinema: Politics and Aesthetics

BA Chinese Civilisation and Anthropology

The module analyses Chinese cinema - including films from mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan - from the 1980s to the present by critically discussing key theoretical frameworks such as cross-cultural analysis and transnational cinematic culture. We will examine the internationalisation of Chinese cinema. Lectures will be accompanied by screenings of representative films.

Confucian Ethics: The aim of this module is to engage the central themes of Confucian ethical and philosophical thinking, and to understand the main characteristics of Confucianism as an ethical tradition that has been dominant or influential in East Asia for two thousand years. We will evaluate Confucian solutions concerning perennial ethical problems and examine as well as experience the value of the Confucian emphasis on ‘knowing is doing’.

BA Chinese Civilisation and Philosophy

BA Chinese Civilisation and History BA Chinese Civilisation and Medieval Studies BA Chinese Civilisation and Religious Studies

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Thinking of becoming a Teacher?

We offer a Chinese Studies with Education Studies that is designed to allow students to study their passion, whilst providing those interested in a career in education with invaluable insights and understanding of the profession.

The Education part of the degrees comprises two modules of study per year. Typical modules within the education part of the degree will cover a range of themes from the historical development of education, learning cultures and approaches to learning, the

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philosophy of learning and education, and the legal frameworks within which education operates today.

In addition, during the second year of study you will undertake a 20-credit teaching observation in a local school. In your third year , you will study for a dissertation that combines elements of Education Studies with Chinese Studies.

Want to work in Heritage?

For those interested in pursuing a career in the Heritage sector, we offer combinations of Chinese Studies with Heritage Studies or Heritage Management.

Heritage Management is concentrated in two modules per year.

This part of the programmes is specifically designed to enhance a student’s knowledge of Heritage in its broadest sense and to provide an appropriate set of skills and understandings applicable to a broad range of employments in the Heritage sector or cultural industries more generally.

Running through all the modules is clear emphasis on enhancing the employability potential of our students, notably through a compulsory work placement, and for those that wish, the opportunity to do a practice-based, work-related Dissertation.

Students also acquire an understanding of heritage marketing and various data management and analysis methods.

Courses BA Chinese Studies and Heritage Studies BA Chinese Studies with Heritage Management

BA Chinese Studies with Education Studies

In Heritage Studies, students can take a range of modules that explore different aspects of Heritage and Heritage-related agencies, institutions and subjects. The programme does this in an innovative way that combines study of general and broadly-based Heritage issues with more specialist aspects of the field.

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Meet some of the staff‌

Dr. Yanxia Zhao (PhD Wales)

Dr. Duo Luan (PhD Wales)

Dr Thomas Jansen (PhD Munich)

Dr Yanxia Zhao specialises in Chinese religion and philosophy, especially Daoism and Daoist body philosophy. She is the Director of the Centre for Daoist Studies.

Dr Duo Luan holds a first degree in Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language and a PhD in Film and Media Studies. Her research interests are in the areas of Chinese television drama and Chinese as a second language.

Dr Thomas Jansen specialises in Chinese history and culture, especially the early medieval period (200-600 AD) and the role of religion in the making of modern China. Thomas is also the Director of the Confucius Institute at UWTSD.

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For more information‌ How to Apply

All applications to study for a full-time undergraduate degree programme at UWTSD are made through UCAS using Apply – an online application system available at: www.ucas.com/apply For more information please refer to our website: http://www.uwtsd.ac.uk/apply/how-to-applyundergraduate/ If you would like to know more about your course of interest, please contact our Admissions Team.

Open Days & Visit Days

We have Open Days and Visit Days throughout the year, where you are more than welcome to come along to the Lampeter Campus. You will have the opportunity to: meet academic staff to discuss the course; take a campus tour with current students who will show you the facilities and accommodation; discuss student finance, accommodation, and student support with our service teams. We recommend that you visit the campus, as it is truly unique!

Open Days

To find out the dates for forthcoming Open Days and to book your place, please visit our website: http://www.uwtsd.ac.uk/visitus/

Visit Days

If you are unable to make the Open Days, we also have Visit Days that take place every Wednesday.

To book a place, please visit our website: http://www.uwtsd.ac.uk/visitus/

/uwtsdfhp

@FHP_UWTSD www.uwtsd.ac.uk humanitiesblog.uwtsd.ac.uk

Further information

Please contact our admissions team: fhpadmissions@uwtsd.ac.uk 01570 424723

Find us at: /ChineseStudies

The information contained in this booklet is correct at the time of publication, but is subject to change as part of the University’s policy of continuous improvement and development.