PROGRAMMES >>>

Master of Arts in Chinese
Programme
Master of Arts in Chinese
文學碩士(中文)
Award Title
Master of Arts in Chinese
文學碩士(中文)
Offering Academic Unit
Department of Chinese and History
Mode of Study
Combined mode

Normal Period of Study

- 1 year (full-time)
- 2 years (part-time/combined mode)

Maximum Period of Study

- 2.5 years (full-time)
- 5 years (part-time/combined mode)

Credit Units Required for Graduation

Minimum number of credit units required for Master of Arts is 30, including:
• 2 Common Core Courses (3 credit units each): CAH5711 Essential Concepts in Chinese Language, and CAH5713 Essential Concepts in Chinese Culture;
• 5 designated Stream Core Courses (3 credit units each);
• 3 Programme Electives (3 credit units each), or 1 Programme Elective (3 credit units) and CAH6507 Master’s Project* (6 credit units)

*MA students should seek prior approval from Programme Leader.


Programme Aims

The programme aims to provide students with an understanding of the nature of Chinese language and its use for academic and professional purposes, and to broaden students’ vision on the impact and significance of Chinese culture on Chinese for academic and professional purposes.  There are two streams: (A) Chinese Language and Literature, and (B) Chinese for Educational and Professional Purposes.  The Chinese Language and Literature stream will familiarize students with the literary tradition of China and its applications in modern society.  The Chinese for Educational and Professional Purposes stream will enable students to utilise the in-depth knowledge of Chinese language and literature acquired from the courses for educational purposes, prepares them to use Putonghua for teaching Chinese subjects, and will equip students with advanced training in Chinese for professional writing in both the public and private sectors in Hong Kong.


Programme Intended Learning Outcomes (PILOs)

Stream A: Chinese Language and Literature

Upon successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

1. Explore extensively and analyze critically topics of interest in the field of Chinese language, literature and classics;
2. Demonstrate familiarity with the latest trends and approaches in the study of Chinese language and literature, including critical analysis and evaluation of leading scholars’ commentaries;
3. Evaluate Chinese language use and Chinese literature critically and creatively from different perspectives;
4. Apply the knowledge of Chinese language and literature as well as aesthetical, analytical, communicative abilities, and generate new ideas in different walks of life; and
5. Engage in further academic research related to Chinese language and literature, and to demonstrate initiative, discovery, intellectual achievement, depth and advanced research skills.

Stream B: Chinese for Educational and Professional Purposes

Upon successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

1. Analyze critically the nature of the Chinese language and its use for professional purposes in Hong Kong and in the Mainland;
2. Demonstrate their analytical and intellectual competence in Chinese for professional purposes through a critical comparison and contrast of its use in Hong Kong and in the Mainland;
3. Write professionally, critically and creatively in Chinese for professional purposes and function more effectively in the following 2 areas: Chinese Creative Writing, and Chinese for the Media;
4. Acquire in-depth knowledge of Chinese language and literature by using a learning discovery approach; apply the knowledge of Chinese language and literature, and generate new ideas in various educational and professional tasks;
5. Demonstrate familiarity with theories and practical skills in using Putonghua for teaching Chinese subjects effectively; and
6. Engage in further academic research related to Chinese teaching and applied Chinese language studies.


Programme Requirements



1. Core Courses (21 credit units)


Common Core Courses (6 credits)
Course CodeCourse TitleCredit UnitsRemarks
CAH5711Essential Concepts in Chinese Language3Medium of Instruction: Chinese
Medium of Assessment: Chinese
CAH5713Essential Concepts in Chinese Culture3Medium of Instruction: Chinese
Medium of Assessment: Chinese

Stream Core Courses
Stream A: Chinese Language and Literature (15 credits)
Course CodeCourse TitleCredit UnitsRemarks
CAH5701Topics in Classical Chinese Literature3Medium of Instruction: Chinese
Medium of Assessment: Chinese
CAH5702Topics in Chinese Ancient Classics3Medium of Instruction: Chinese
Medium of Assessment: Chinese
CAH5703Topics in Modern and Contemporary Chinese Literature3Medium of Instruction: Chinese
Medium of Assessment: Chinese
CAH5704Topics in History of Chinese Literary Criticism3Medium of Instruction: Chinese
Medium of Assessment: Chinese
CAH5707Topics in Classical Chinese Philology3Medium of Instruction: Chinese
Medium of Assessment: Chinese

Stream B: Chinese for Educational and Professional Purposes (15 credits)
Select 5 courses out of 6; the remaining 1 course can be taken as Programme Elective. 
Course CodeCourse TitleCredit UnitsRemarks
CAH5622Selected Readings in Chinese Language and Literature3Medium of Instruction: Chinese
Medium of Assessment: Chinese
CAH5709Teaching Chinese in Putonghua: Theory and Methodology3Medium of Instruction: Chinese
Medium of Assessment: Chinese
CAH5710Teaching Chinese as a Second Language: Theory and Methodology3Medium of Instruction: Chinese
Medium of Assessment: Chinese
CAH5712Chinese Practical Writing in the Mainland, Hong Kong and Taiwan3Medium of Instruction: Chinese
Medium of Assessment: Chinese
CAH5719Chinese for the Media3Medium of Instruction: Chinese
Medium of Assessment: Chinese
CAH5722Chinese Creative Writing3Medium of Instruction: Chinese
Medium of Assessment: Chinese

2. Electives # (9 credit units)

Course CodeCourse TitleCredit UnitsRemarks
CAH5404Chinese Linguistic Structures3Medium of Instruction: Chinese
Medium of Assessment: Chinese
CAH5414Cantonese Linguistics3Medium of Instruction: Chinese
Medium of Assessment: Chinese
CAH5705Selected Readings in Sinology3Medium of Instruction: English/Chinese
Medium of Assessment: English/Chinese
CAH5708Great Works of Chinese Literature, History and Philosophy3Medium of Instruction: Chinese
Medium of Assessment: Chinese
CAH5715Chinese for Government and Public Administration3Medium of Instruction: Chinese
Medium of Assessment: Chinese
CAH5716Special Topics in Chinese for Government and Public Administration3Medium of Instruction: Chinese
Medium of Assessment: Chinese
CAH5717Business Chinese3Medium of Instruction: Chinese
Medium of Assessment: Chinese
CAH5718Special Topics in Business Chinese3Medium of Instruction: Chinese
Medium of Assessment: Chinese
CAH5720Special Topics in Chinese for the Media3Medium of Instruction: Chinese
Medium of Assessment: Chinese
CAH5723Special Topics in Chinese Creative Writing3Medium of Instruction: Chinese
Medium of Assessment: Chinese
CAH5725Writing Workshop in Chinese Couplet, Classical Chinese Prose and Verse3Medium of Instruction: Chinese
Medium of Assessment: Chinese
CAH5726Contrastive Studies of Cantonese and Putonghua3Medium of Instruction: Chinese
Medium of Assessment: Chinese
CAH5730Special Topics in Chinese Language and Literature3Medium of Instruction: Chinese
Medium of Assessment: Chinese
CAH5799Professional Internship3The on-campus language of instruction is English.
The off-campus language of instruction will depend on the predominant language used in the off-campus setting.
The medium of assessment is English.
CAH6507Master's Project6Medium of Instruction: Chinese
Medium of Assessment: Chinese
CAH6714Seminar on Chinese for Professional Purposes3Medium of Instruction: Chinese
Medium of Assessment: Chinese
CAH6724Advanced Topics in Chinese for Professional Purposes3Medium of Instruction: Chinese
Medium of Assessment: Chinese

# (1) Programme Electives are open to all students.

   (2) Students must take 9 credits from Programme Electives

   (3) Stream A students can select Stream B Core Courses as Programme Electives;

        Stream B students can select Stream A Core Courses and one Stream B Core Course as Programme Electives.


MA students must take 2 Common Core Courses and 5 designated stream Core Courses plus 9 credit units from Programme Electives making a total of 30 credits.


Professional Recognition

The Chinese Language and Literature stream of this programme has been approved by the Education Bureau (EDB) as a recognised Chinese language major degree and students who meet the government’s requirements can apply to the Standing Committee on Language Education and Research (SCOLAR) for the Professional Development Incentive Grant Scheme for Language Teachers.

Additional Information


Intermediate Awards

Required Courses

Total Credits

Postgraduate Diploma in Chinese+ 
深造文憑(中文)

2 Common Core Courses and 5 designated stream Core Courses plus 3 credit units from Programme Electives

24

Postgraduate Certificate in Chinese+
深造證書(中文)

any 4 courses (except CAH6507 Master’s Project)

12

+ MA & PGD students must graduate with a stream. The stream designation is not available to graduates of Postgraduate Certificate.