What to expect
At the beginning of the degree, you will be introduced to human, physical and environmental geography. You will develop the skills geographers use to analyse major issues and global concerns. You'll also begin to follow a progressional ladder on an internationally recognised language scale, entering either from beginner or intermediate level and progressing to being proficient in Chinese.
In Year 2, you will deepen your knowledge of cultural and political geography, with the opportunity to tailor your interests around a range of human-centric optional modules. As you specialise, you will undertake practical work that aims to enhance your understanding of key topics while developing your analytic and research skills. You'll also develop a range of oral, aural, written and reading skills in an integrated way that embraces techniques of linguistic mediation and the plurilingual contexts of Chinese.
You'll spend Year 3 abroad, engaging with Chinese communities. This can be at a partner university, working in industry, with an NGO or other charitable projects, in an entrepreneurial activity or teaching English as a foreign language. A combination of activities is also possible.
As you progress into Year 4, you will tailor your studies even further with a dissertation. Here, you will be guided by an academic advisor to deliver an independent research topic of your choice. This can be completed in collaboration with a regional organisation such as Lancaster City Council, where you will gain valuable work experience in a real-world environment. Alongside your research project, you will complete further optional modules, including residential field trips. You'll build on the language competencies and expertise you have gained during the Global Engagement Year, to express yourself spontaneously, flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes.
Getting out in the field
With our location near major urban centres, rivers, coasts, and the Lake District World Heritage Site, you will be able to explore beyond the campus and gain hands-on experience through fieldwork. This may include studying the use of salt marshes and sand dunes for coastal flood defence around Morecambe Bay; studying rural communities built around renewable energy projects; exploring inter-connections along Lancaster’s River Lune, from source to sea; and examining glacially carved landscapes and cave systems. Other opportunities include optional overseas trips, such as to Bali.
Personal development
In addition to subject knowledge and field experience, you will gain essential communication and geographic information systems skills. You will become familiar with data generation through qualitative techniques, as well as data handling, environmental sampling, and analysis.
How is Chinese Studies taught at Lancaster
Your journey to language proficiency and exploring the Chinese-speaking world starts here. You will acquire high-level language skills and gain an internationally recognised qualification modelled on the international standardised test for Chinese language (HSK).
You’ll enter the course either as a complete beginner in Chinese or with some initial competency. Whatever level you begin with, you will progress to becoming proficient in the language. Spending your third year abroad in a Chinese-speaking country makes a major contribution to your command of the language, while deepening your intercultural sensitivity.
Your language learning will be further enriched by cultural studies, covering visual media, literature, art, and history, providing a comprehensive understanding of the societal contexts of the Chinese-speaking world.
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