Faculty Syllabus

Credit Hours: 3

Classroom Contact Hours per week: 3

Laboratory Contact Hours per week: 0

Advanced Chinese grammar, directed composition, conversation and discussion of culture based on readings. 

Please Note:

The following guidelines are intended to provide a quick overview of the course for prospective students. After the semester begins, please refer to the comprehensive syllabus and schedule posted on Blackboard. 

To be enrolled in the course, you must have credit for a four or five-hour college or university course equivalent to, or at a higher level than ACC Chinese 1412 with a grade of at least a C.  High school, community/continuing education credit, conversation course credit and previous knowledge are not acceptable substitutes for the required prerequisite.  You must present proof of this credit (in the form of the appropriate transcript or grade report or an ACC printout) to your instructor by the *12th day of ACC classes for the 16 week session and the 4th day of classes during the summer, or you will be withdrawn from this course and may risk losing any refund.

If you wish to challenge this course by examination, you must withdraw by the prerequisite deadline above.

*This is the twelfth/fourth day from the beginning of the semester for all ACC courses, not the twelfth/fourth day of your class.

Grading System   

Please note:  students must receive a grade of C or better in order to continue with Chinese 2312.

Grading areas

The due dates for the following tests and the final are indicated in the schedule on Blackboard. They will be administered via Blackboard on Lockdown Browser 

Written Tests (30%)

• Test One covers Lessons 1-3.
• Test Two covers Lessons 4-6. 
• Final is comprehensive and covers Lesson 1-8.

Oral Exams (20%)

Students will take three oral exams throughout the semester. Guidelines and specific time will be given during the semester prior to the exams.     

Workbook Assignments (24%)

Students must turn in Student Activity Manual exercises for each lesson on the specific date indicated in each lesson tab and Blackboard assignment entry.

In order to complete the listening comprehension activities, you will need to listen to the recording online. See Required Texts/Materials for details on audio resources. 

Writing Assignments (6%)

Writing assignments must be turned in on the date indicated in Blackboard assignment entry. 

Recording Assignments (14%)

Students will be required to submit recording assignment files to BlackBoard. Due date will be provided in each assignment on Blackboard.

Class Participation (6%)

You are expected to be in class as scheduled and participate in group activities. 

Please follow the schedule closely to find out the dates for submitting homework, tests, and final exam. After the first day of the class, the schedule will not be announced at the class unless there is a change of schedule. The material that will be covered in each class is indicated in the attached schedule; make sure that you review the old material first before you study the new material before coming to class.

The following materials are for Chinese 2311:

Chinese Link: Intermediate Chinese, Level 2/Part 1, Textbook (2nd ed.), ISBN 978-0-20578-280-2

Please refer to the class schedule on Blackboard for details on the content of each class as well as assignment and test deadlines.

Course Rationale   

In addition to offering the fundamentals of the Chinese language, this course is intended

to fulfill one semester of the foreign language requirement as needed for Associate

Degree plans and transfer credits to a four-year higher education institution. The number of required courses varies among different disciplines and institutions.

Course Objectives   

The main objective of the course is to help students develop skills in the areas of listening, speaking, reading, and writing in the Mandarin Chinese language at an intermediate level. The skills you learn from this course will enable you to engage in Mandarin Chinese conversations with more common phrases with common word usage, read and understand written Chinese with a broader range of vocabulary. Your ability to understand and communicate will develop along with your knowledge of the vocabulary, common expressions and usage, and grammatical structures of the language as well as some basic awareness of the Chinese culture and traditional customs.  

At the end of one semester of Chinese 2311, students should be able to do the following:

READING  

• Comprehend texts by applying a variety of strategies (guessing, following the context, making inferences, etc.); 
• State the main idea and some details of a text based on familiar material or vocabulary; and
• Recognize about 400-500 new characters.

LISTENING

• Comprehend the context and main idea of the whole conversation;
• Comprehend new common word usage, idioms, and sentence structures learned; 
• Comprehend details expressed with new vocabulary learned in this course; and
• Answer oral questions and follow instructions.

WRITING

• Be able to write approximately 150-200 new Chinese characters by following the correct stroke order;
• Be able to reproduce simple phrases, statements or questions with the newly learned word usage and sentence structure; and
• Be able to write short compositions and letters on a variety of topics, including:
  • travel experience,
  • picture description and narration,
  • express personal opinions on familiar topics,
  • describe personal goal.

SPEAKING

• Accurately pronounce words based on their phonetic formation and tone;
• Maintain simple conversations on a variety of topics introduced in the textbook;
• Respond properly to oral and written questions posed in the classroom;
• Verbally describe pictures and strips;
• Discuss different topics, including:  
  • tell opinions on something, 
  • tell future intention and past actions and experiences,
  • introduce places, and
  • check in the airport.

CULTURE

Students will learn about the following cultural topics:

• History of China
• Map of China
• Chinese festivals
• Chinese cultural norms and etiquette

Discipline-Level Learning Outcome

At the end of the fourth semester of Chinese, students should be able to:

• Comprehend written dialogues and passages with familiar vocabulary in either traditional or simplified characters; and more complex written compositions with the assistance of a dictionary.
• Comprehend the context of the whole conversation on a familiar topic, word usage, idiomatic everyday expressions, sentence structures; and details expressed with vocabulary learned during the four semesters.
• Write simple and compound sentences as well as organized compositions, notices, and letters using the common word usage and sentence structures on a variety of topics, including making descriptions, comparisons, and recommendations, expressing opinions, narrating the past, describing daily routine and habits, and planning for the future.
• Be able to express preferences, needs, and basic opinions with logical connectors; make  statements or questions to clarify, confirm, describe, compare, and plan for the future.
• Perceive basic Chinese cultural norms and values, Chinese traditions, festivals, current political and economic situation in China, geography, languages and ethnicities in China; an overview of Chinese modern history.

General Education Students Learning Outcomes

• Critical Thinking

    Gathering, analyzing, synthesizing, evaluating and applying information.

• Interpersonal Skills

    Interacting collaboratively to achieve common goals.

• Quantitative and Empirical Reasoning

    Applying mathematical, logical and scientific principles and methods.

• Technology Skills

    Using appropriate technology to retrieve, manage, analyze, and present information.

This online course is not self-paced. It starts and ends in the same academic term as on-campus courses, and it has due dates and deadlines for various assignments, tests, projects, etc. assigned by your instructor. All work (including assignments and tests) must be completed by the due date set in the syllabus. Final grades will not be posted until the end of the semester regardless of when you finish all your tests and assignments.

This online class will be met twice a week using BlackBoard Collaborate. Students are required to attend these lectures. Tests will be given and taken on BlackBoard using Lockdown Browser. Students are required to download Respondus Lockdown Browser.  

Learn more: Respondus Lockdown Browser Student Quick Start Guide

Other than class meeting and tests, these class activities will also be conducted through Blackboard: handout distribution, homework assignments and submissions, and discussion forum. Your instructor also send announcements to the class via Blackboard relating to schedule changes, special reminders, other notices and information. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have access to your ACC email account and Blackboard and set up alerts on discussion forums if needed.

This online lecture format class will emphasize all four language skills: reading, writing, speaking, and listening. The grammatical explanations will be given at a level that will help students achieve all four skills at the elementary level. Students will sometimes be required to work in pairs or small groups virtually. Your active participation in the class is required for the success of the class. 

You are expected to learn the phonetic system during the first two weeks. Accuracy of pronunciation will be emphasized throughout the course by focusing on grasping the phonetic sound and tone of all the words and expressions learned. Recorded assignments will help you grasp the pronunciation of the phonetic symbols.

A portion of each class will be spent learning the Chinese writing system and students are expected to practice writing at home. The Workbook and Character Workbook assignments will be helpful in developing listening, reading, and writing skills. The CDs and online audio links will aid you in the comprehension and pronunciation of Mandarin Chinese.

Attendance/Class Participation

This is a synchronous online class with regular required class meetings. You are expected to be in class as scheduled and be prepared for each lesson. Please follow the schedule closely to find out the dates for submitting tests. The material that will be covered in each class is indicated in the attached schedule; make sure that you review the old material first before you study the new material before coming to class.

By College policy, regular and punctual class attendance is expected of all students. If attendance or compliance with other course policies is unsatisfactory, the instructor may withdraw students from the class. Due to the emphasis on oral practice, attendance is mandatory and will be checked daily. Departmental policy allows instructors to drop students with more than three absences. Leaving class prior to class dismissal without the instructor’s approval will be counted as an absence. Foreign language classes are very interactive and you will be required to participate regularly in class and group activities. Failure to participate will result in a lower daily grade for participation.

Withdrawals

It is the responsibility of each student to ensure that his or her name is removed from the rolls should they decide to withdraw from the class.  The instructor does, however, reserve the right to drop a student should he or she feel it is necessary.  If a student decides to withdraw, he or she should also verify that the withdrawal is recorded before the Final Withdrawal Date.  The Final Withdrawal Date for this semester is November 21, 2024.  The student is also strongly encouraged to keep any paperwork in case a problem arises.

Students are responsible for understanding the impact that withdrawal from a course may have on their financial aid, veterans’ benefits, and international student status.  Per state law, students enrolling for the first time in Fall 2007 or later at any public Texas college or university may not withdraw (receive a W) from more than six courses during their undergraduate college education. Some exemptions for good cause could allow a student to withdraw from a course without having it count toward this limit. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with an advisor when making decisions about course selection, course loads, and course withdrawals.

Missed or Late Work

No homework overdue for one week will be accepted. Students are responsible for keeping track of their assignment status and making sure that assignments are submitted successfully to the Blackboard. Students should inform the instructor promptly of any issue that have caused problems or delay to their assignment submission.

All assignments must submitted to Blackboard as instructed instead of by email.

Incompletes

If there is a documented extenuating circumstance after the last day to withdraw, then you may be eligible for an incomplete. The student must be in good standing and have a C or higher. The student must consult with the instructor and the final decision will be at the instructor’s discretion. 

1. Prior to the end of the semester in which the I is to be awarded, the student must meet with the instructor to determine the assignments and exams that must be completed prior to the deadline date.  This meeting can occur virtually or in person.  The instructor should complete the Report of Incomplete Grade form.

2. The faculty member will complete the form, including all requirements to complete the course and the due date, sign (by typing in name) and then email it to the student.  The student will then complete his/her section, sign (by typing in name), and return the completed form to the faculty member to complete the agreement.  A copy of the fully completed form can then be emailed by the faculty member to the student and the department chair for each grade of Incomplete that the faculty member submits at the end of the semester.   

3. The student must complete all remaining work by the date specified on the form above.  This date is determined by the instructor in collaboration with the student, but it may not be later than the final withdrawal deadline in the subsequent long semester.  

4. Students will retain access to the course Blackboard page through the subsequent semester in order to submit work and complete the course. Students will be able to log on to Blackboard and have access to the course section materials, assignments, and grades from the course and semester in which the Incomplete was awarded.  

5. When the student completes the required work by the Incomplete deadline, the instructor will submit an electronic Grade Change Form to change the student’s performance grade from an “I” to the earned grade of A, B, C, D, or F. 

College Policies and Student Support

Please click on the College Policies & Student Support Services Tab on the Blackboard menu or visit this page: https://www.austincc.edu/offices/academic-outcomes-assessment/master-syllabi/college-policies