This course introduces students to the fundamental tools and approaches of advanced research in Chinese studies. Students learn to evaluate and make use of a wide range of print and online research tools in parallel with an historical survey of the study of Chinese Studies as an academic pursuit–from its philological roots as Sinology in the 19th century to its re-conception as a branch of Area Studies from the second half of the 20th century onward. This survey takes account of the substantial development of specific online research tools over the past decades, assessing which tools in print have become obsolete and how to strike a good balance in the use of online and print media. Concurrently, the course addresses the methods for handling such issues as source criticism, bibliography, biography, chronology, geography, and bureaucracy in the study of China. The methods introduced and deployed in this course will be shaped by the individual research needs of students. The aim is to facilitate students’ development of critical thinking skills and self-sufficiency in the business of sinological research. Course materials focus on pre-imperial and imperial China, but the historical contextualisation of fundamental research approaches and associated skills may equally benefit advanced students of Modern and Contemporary China.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Identify the major themes, concerns, and methods of research in Chinese Studies, both past and present.
2. Evaluate the ways in which themes and concerns have been methodologically addressed in different contexts.
3. Apply methods of advanced research in Chinese Studies necessary to locate and interpret information from a variety of sources, both pre-modern and modern.
4. Synthesise that information to solve specific practical research questions.
5. Produce written digests of research findings in a form that suits the complex research problems at hand.
6. Explicate research findings to an audience of specialists in Chinese Studies and to non-specialists.

Research-Led Teaching

This course about research tools in Chinese studies will require participants to propose their own research topic and to conduct their own research. Participants will benefit from the convenor's long-time experience in proposing and evaluating research projects as well as his engagement in the creation of new online research environments.

The best place to prepare for course sessions is Menzies library because it allows participants to familiarize with printed as well as online materials.

Recommended Resources

Whether you are on campus or studying remotely, there are a variety of online platforms you will use to participate in your study program. These could include videos for lectures and other instruction, two-way video conferencing for interactive learning, email and other messaging tools for communication, interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities, print and/or photo/scan for handwritten work and drawings, and home-based assessment.

ANU outlines recommended student system requirements to ensure you are able to participate fully in your learning. Other information is also available about the various Learning Platforms you may use.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• written comments
• verbal comments
• feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Introduction – Special dictionaries and their use
2	The history of Chinese Studies as a discipline	Minutes of meetings 1
3	Source criticism – What and how good are your sources?
4	Searching for texts and full-text search online
5	Online full-text databases and new research environments
6	Bibliographies
7	Biographies 1 – Persons in Chinese history, historiography and beyond
8	Biographies 2 ¬– What’s in a name? (Names, o??cial titles, epithets, dates, dimensions, weights)
9	Astronomy, Chronology, Geography, Phonology
10	Government and bureaucracy
11	What have we missed? Sources related to the speci??c research of course participants	Take-home assignment due
12	Towards a scientific publication (including copyright questions and plagiarism)

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value
Active participation	20 %
Methodological assignments	30 %
Accompanying research assignment	50 %

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines , which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Guideline and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Assessment Task 1

Active participation

Students will be expected to contribute in an active and constructive manner to general discussion with both the lecturer and their classmates. Regular participation will be essential to achieving the learning outcomes and successfully completing assessments. Students will further be expected to prepare weekly hand-out exercise sheets related to the materials studied in each session. Written preparation will enable students to compare their findings with those proposed in class. Two of the weekly hand-out exercise sheets over the duration of the course will be marked.

Assessment Task 2

Methodological assignments

Students will receive two take-home assignments in the form of a practical research problem that is unrelated to their specific research interests. These assignments will test students' command of the research procedure introduced during the weeks prior to the task. Suggested readings will be offered to assist with each procedure, but students will also be expected to find further relevant resources through independent investigation. These assignments will therefore reproduce the sorts of problems that surface in their routine research and so will train students to develop skills of self-sufficiency.

Honours candidates: minimum 1000 words (excluding bibliography)

Assessment Task 3

Accompanying research assignment

The accompanying research assignment consists of a project – or projects, pending on the topic – that will be individually selected in consultation with the course convenor by the course participants pending on their specific research interests. Applying the procedures introduced during the course, students will prepare the assignment continuously from week 3 onward. A first draft of the assignment will be handed in for comments at a given date in week 7. A complete version is expected to be handed in by the end of week 11. The assignment will demand an advanced level of independent research, as well as skills of critical engagement and synthetic analysis commensurate with the academic level of each participant.

Honours candidates: minimum 4000 words (including notes and bibliography)

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

• Late submission not permitted. If submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date is not permitted, a mark of 0 will be awarded.
• Late submission permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Access and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students