Chinese and Thai Studies BA

In your first year you’ll take intensive language classes in both Chinese and Thai to develop your listening, speaking, reading and writing skills, as well as choosing from optional modules on the culture, history and politics of the Asia Pacific region, from East Asian religions to Chinese history and Japanese culture.

This will lay the foundations for the next two years, when you’ll gain further insight and improve your language skills by studying in China and Thailand. When you return to Leeds, you’ll have a new perspective to bring to your final two years of study.

Higher-level language classes will improve your spoken and written Thai and Chinese, and you’ll also explore translation, Chinese media and the development of contemporary Thailand. You’ll choose from further optional modules on topics such as Buddhism, and Chinese visual culture. You’ll also demonstrate your knowledge and skills in an independent research project on a topic of your choice in your final year.

Modules

Year 1

Compulsory modules

• Basic Chinese Language 1
• Basic Chinese Language 2
• Basic Thai Language and Culture 1
• Basic Thai Language and Culture 2

Optional modules

• History and Culture of Imperial China
• History and Culture of Early Imperial China
• History and Culture of Late Imperial China
• Modern China
• Japan: A Cultural History from Buddhism to Murakami Haruki
• Foundations of East Asia
• Introduction to Religious and Philosophical Texts of East Asia
• Introduction to East Asian Religions
• LCS Academic Essentials

Year 2

Optional modules

• Year Abroad in China
• Year Abroad in Thailand

Year 3

Optional modules

• Year Abroad in China
• Year Abroad in Thailand

Year 4

Compulsory modules

• The Making of Modern Thailand
• Chinese 2A
• Chinese 2B
• Intermediate Thai Language and Culture 1
• Intermediate Thai Language and Culture 2

Optional modules

• China Since 1979
• Japan's International Relations
• Classics of Chinese Literature and Thought
• An Introduction to Cantonese (1)
• East Asia's Regional Political Economy
• Japanese Cinema in the World
• Sino-Japanese Relations: Past and Present
• Research Placement

Year 5

Compulsory modules

• You will be required to study one Final Year Project module
• Chinese 3: Advanced Skills
• Advanced Thai Language and Culture I
• Advanced Thai language and Culture II

Optional modules

• China Since 1979
• Classics of Chinese Literature and Thought
• Chinese Oral and Performance Traditions
• Religion in China
• Modern Japanese History
• East Asia's Regional Political Economy
• Japanese Cinema in the World
• Sino-Japanese Relations: Past and Present
• Religion in Japan
• Buddhism: A Lived Tradition
• Final Year Project: Extended Essay
• Final Year Project: Translation
• Linguists into Schools