Undergraduate Courses
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Diploma in Languages

Testamur Title of Degree:

Diploma in Languages

Abbreviation:

DipinLang

UOW Course Code:

1002

CRICOS Code:

N/A

Total Credit Points:

48

Duration:

Students are required to complete 6 or 7 sequential language subjects over a minimum of 6 semesters depending on level of entry. Please refer to the specific language in the handbook for subjects and session availability.

Home Faculty:

Faculty of Law, Humanities and the Arts

Intake Session(s):

Autumn; Spring only after consultation

Delivery Mode:

On-campus

Delivery Campus:

Wollongong

Additional Information:

Course Finder

Overview

The Diploma in Languages allows students from any Faculty in the University to study a language to prepare them to work in a multicultural and globalised economy. Students can study Chinese (Mandarin), French, Italian, Japanese or Spanish. In-country study or study abroad can be included in the award. The Diploma is generally studied concurrently with a Bachelor degree. For example, a student enrolled in Engineering would study three Engineering subjects and one language subject each semester. At the completion of their studies at the University of Wollongong they will graduate with two awards, their Bachelor degree and the Diploma in Languages.

Languages can be studied from beginners' level to advanced. Students with HSC qualifications (or equivalent) in a language will normally commence their studies at 200 level in the language that they wish to study. Students with native speaker competency will normally commence their studies at 300 level, while native speaker students of Chinese (Mandarin) will normally enrol in the Chinese (Mandarin) for character background students. Students who are unsure of the level of competency should consult the appropriate Subject Co-ordinator of the language they wish to study.

The Diploma can be taken as a stand-alone award by members of the community.

Entry Requirements

Academic requirements and English requirements are available from the Course Finder.

Course Learning Outcomes

Students graduating from the Diploma in Languages will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate a broad understanding of the language and grammar of a foreign language.
  2. Communicate in both spoken and written forms of a foreign language at the level of an independent user.
  3. Comprehend spoken and written forms of a foreign language at the level of an independent user.
  4. Critically analyse historical and socio-cultural forces that have shaped the people and the chosen language of study.

For learning outcomes specific to the chosen language of study, please see the entries below.

Course Structure

To qualify for the award of the Diploma in Languages (course code 1002) a student must complete a total of at least 48 credit points from subjects listed for: 

Students will complete a minimum of six subjects. These subjects will predominantly be language acquisition subjects and may include study abroad as part of an exchange or study abroad program. Other subjects may be included with the permission of the Language and Linguistics Discipline leader. Students entering at 100-level may include one culture subject, students entering at 200-level may include two culture subjects and students entering at 300-level may include up to 4 culture subjects.

Subjects can be counted only in one degree. That is, subjects counted towards the Diploma cannot be counted towards another degree. Students who complete the Diploma will not receive a testamur or attend a graduation ceremony specifically for the Diploma. However, when students do the Diploma concurrently with a Bachelors Degree course, they will have the Diploma listed in their Bachelors degree subject transcript upon graduating. 

Chinese (Mandarin) for Character Background Students

Mandarin is spoken by more than 1.5 billion people in the world and is one of the six official languages of the UN. China has a 5000 year history and culture, boasts the fastest-growing economy in the world and is widely regarded as the potentially biggest global market in the twenty-first century.

Chinese (Mandarin) for Character Background Students is for students who have education background in Chinese language. It provides a course of study which allows students to specialise in Chinese language and culture.

Learning Outcomes

A student completing Chinese (Mandarin) for Character Background Students in the Diploma of languages will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of Mandarin language and grammar from the comparative linguistic perspective.
  2. Effectively communicate in a wide range of genres in Mandarin, including academic essay writing at undergraduate level.
  3. Comprehend Classical Chinese texts with the assistance of annotations.
  4. Critically analyse and evaluate Chinese heritage, modern Chinese history and contemporary China.

 

Program of Study

To qualify for award of the Diploma in Languages (course code 1002) a student must complete a total of at least 48 credit points from subjects listed from the Mandarin study program below.

Students will complete a minimum of 6 subjects. These subjects will predominantly be language acquisition subjects and may include study abroad as part of an exchange or study abroad program. Other subjects (including study abroad and exchange) may be included with the permission of the Languages and Linguistics Discipline leader.

Students commencing at beginner level must complete all core subjects and at least one subject from the list of electives. Other subjects (including study abroad and exchange) may be included with the permission of the Languages and Linguistics Discipline leader.

A student who had studied Mandarin to HSC level and was commencing university Mandarin at upper level (with permission of the program) must complete all 200 and 300 level core subjects and all elective subjects. Other subjects (including study abroad and exchange) may be included with the permission of the Languages and Linguistics Discipline leader.

Subject Code subject Name Credit Points Session(s)
100-Level
MAND161 Chinese (Mandarin) for Character Background Students (CBS) 1A 6 Autumn
MAND162 Chinese (Mandarin) for Character Background Students (CBS) 1B 6 Spring
200-Level
MAND261 Intermediate Chinese for Character Background Speakers (CBS) 2A 8 Autumn
MAND262 Intermediate Chinese for Character Background Speakers (CBS) 2B 8 Spring
300-Level
MAND361 Advanced Chinese for Character Background Speakers (CBS) 3A 8 Autumn
MAND362 Advanced Chinese for Character Background Speakers (CBS) 3B 8 Spring
Elective Subjects
100-Level
ELL 110 Language in Social Life 6 Spring
200-Level
ELL 210 Communication Across Cultures 8 Autumn
HIST252 A History of Modern China 8 Spring

Chinese (Mandarin) for Non-Chinese Background Students

Mandarin is spoken by more than 1.5 billion people in the world and is one of the six official languages of the UN. China has a 5000 year history and culture, boasts the fastest-growing economy in the world and is widely regarded as the potentially biggest global market in the twenty-first century.

Learning Outcomes

A student completing Chinese (Mandarin) for Non-Chinese Background Students in the Diploma of languages will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate a broad and coherent understanding of the Mandarin language and grammar
  2. Comprehend spoken and written Chinese equivalent to Level 3 in the Chinese Language Proficiency Scales for Speakers of Other Languages (CLPS) and B1 level in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
  3. Communicate in both spoken and written Chinese equivalent to Level 3 in the CLPS and B1 level in the CEFR.
  4. Critically analyse and evaluate historical events and socio-cultural forces that have shaped modern China, its people and language.

 

Program of Study

To qualify for award of the Diploma in Languages (course code 1002) a student must complete a total of at least 48 credit points from subjects listed from the Mandarin study program below.

Students will complete a minimum of 6 subjects. These subjects will predominantly be language acquisition subjects and may include study abroad as part of an exchange or study abroad program. Other subjects (including study abroad and exchange) may be included with the permission of the Languages and Linguistics Discipline leader.

Students commencing at beginner level must complete all core subjects and at least one subject from the list of electives. Other subjects (including study abroad and exchange) may be included with the permission of the Languages and Linguistics Discipline leader.

A student who had studied Mandarin to HSC level and was commencing university Mandarin at upper level (with permission of the program) must complete all 200 and 300 level core subjects and all elective subjects. Other subjects (including study abroad and exchange) may be included with the permission of the Languages and Linguistics Discipline leader.

Subject Code subject Name Credit Points Session(s)
Core
100-Level
MAND151 Chinese (Mandarin) for Beginners 1A 6 Autumn
MAND152 Chinese (Mandarin) for Beginners 1B 6 Spring
200-Level
MAND251 Intermediate Chinese for Non-Chinese Background Students (NCB) 2A 8 Autumn
MAND252 Intermediate Chinese for Non-Chinese Background Students (NCB) 2B 8 Spring
300-Level
MAND351

Advanced Chinese for Non-Chinese Background Students (NCB) 3A

8 Autumn
MAND352 Advanced Chinese for Non-Chinese Background Students (NCB) 3B 8 Spring
Electives
100-Level
ELL 110 Language in Social Life 6 Spring
200-Level
ELL 210 Communication Across Cultures 8 Autumn
HIST252 A History of Modern China 8 Spring

French

Students electing to study the French language will also study the French society and culture, including Francophone cultures outside France.

In our language and culture subjects we use a range of authentic resources and teaching methods to equip students with a high level of proficiency in the written and spoken French language. Student learning outcomes are aligned with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

Learning Outcomes

A student completing French in the Diploma of languages will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate a broad understanding of the French language and grammar
  2. Communicate in both spoken and written French at B2 Level in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)
  3. Comprehend spoken and written French at B2 level in the CEFR
  4. Critically analyse and evaluate historical events and socio-cultural forces that have shaped modern France, its people and language

 

Program of Study

To qualify for award of the Diploma in Languages (course code 1002) a student must complete a total of at least 48 credit points from subjects listed from the French study program below.

Students will complete a minimum of 6 subjects. These subjects will predominantly be language acquisition subjects and may include study abroad in French as part of an exchange program or study abroad program with a partner University. Other subjects (including study abroad and exchange) may be included with the permission of the Languages and Linguistics Discipline leader.

Students commencing at beginner level must complete all core subjects.

A student who had studied French to HSC level and was commencing university French at 200 level (with permission of the program) must complete all 200 and 300 level core subjects and one elective subject. Other subjects (including study abroad and exchange) may be included with the permission of the Languages and Linguistics Discipline leader.

Subject Code subject Name Credit Points Session(s)
Core
100-Level
FREN151 French for Beginners/near Beginners 1A 6 Autumn
FREN152 French for Beginners/near Beginners 1B 6 Spring
200-Level
FREN251 French IIA Language 8 Autumn
FREN252 French IIB Language 8 Spring
FREN220 The making of France and the French Nation 8 Autumn
300-Level
FREN351 French IIIA Language 8 Autumn
FREN352 French IIIB Language 8 Spring
Electives
300-Level
FREN320 France in the Twenty-first century 8 Spring
LANG305 Literature and Society in Renaissance Europe 8 Not offered in 2015

Italian

Electing Italian provides a course of study which allows any student, regardless of their background in the discipline, to specialise in Italian.

Learning Outcomes

A student completing Italian in the Diploma of languages will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate a broad understanding of the Italian language and grammar
  2. Communicate in both spoken and written Italian at B2 Level in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)
  3. Comprehend spoken and written Italian at B2 level in the CEFR
  4. Critically analyse and evaluate historical events and socio-cultural forces that have shaped modern Italy, its people and language

 

Program of Study

To qualify for award of the Diploma in Languages (course code 1002) a student must complete a total of at least 48 credit points from subjects listed from the Italian study program below.

Students will complete a minimum of 6 subjects. These subjects will predominantly be language acquisition subjects and may include study abroad in Italian as part of an exchange program or study abroad program with a partner University. Other subjects (including study abroad and exchange) may be included with the permission of the Languages and Linguistics Discipline leader.

Students commencing at beginner level must complete all core subjects and at least one subject from the list of electives. Other subjects (including study abroad and exchange) may be included with the permission of the Languages and Linguistics Discipline leader

A student who had studied Italian to HSC level and was commencing university Italian at 200 level (with permission of the program) must complete all 200 and 300 level core subjects and one elective subject. Other subjects (including study abroad and exchange) may be included with the permission of the Languages and Linguistics Discipline leader.

Subject Code subject Name Credit Points Session(s)
Core
100-Level
ITAL151 Italian IA Language 6 Autumn
ITAL152 Italian IB Language 6 Spring
200-Level
ITAL251 Italian IIA Language 8 Autumn
ITAL252 Italian IIB Language 8 Spring
ITAL220 Italy: Past and Present 8 Not offered in 2015
300-Level
ITAL351 Italian IIIA Language 8 Autumn
ITAL352 Italian IIIB Language 8 Spring
Electives
300-Level
ITAL310 Advanced Studies in Italian 8 Spring
LANG305 Literature and Society in Renaissance Europe 8 Not offered in 2015

Japanese

The study of Japanese focuses on developing the linguistic skills necessary to understand Japanese ways of life, and how the past affects the present. It also aims to facilitate intercultural understanding and competence for the increasingly globalised world and workplace.

Learning Outcomes

A student completing Japanese in the Diploma of languages will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate a broad and coherent understanding of the Japanese language and grammar.
  2. Comprehend spoken and written Japanese to at least B1 Level in the Japan Foundation's (JF) Japanese Language Educational Standard.
  3. Communicate in both spoken and written Japanese to at least B1 Level in the JF’s Japanese Language Educational Standard.
  4. Critically analyse and evaluate historical events and socio-cultural forces that have shaped modern Japan, its people and language.

 

Program of Study

To qualify for award of the Diploma in Languages (course code 1002) a student must complete a total of at least 48 credit points from subjects listed from the Japanese study program below.

Students will complete a minimum of 6 subjects. These subjects will predominantly be language acquisition subjects and may include study abroad in Japanese as part of an exchange program or study abroad program with a partner University. Other subjects (including study abroad and exchange) may be included with the permission of the Languages and Linguistics Discipline leader.

Students commencing at beginner level must complete all core subjects (JAPA141, JAPA142, JAPA243 and JAPA261).

A student who had studied Japanese to HSC level and was commencing university Japanese at 200 level (with permission of the program) must complete all 200 and 300 level core subjects and one elective subject. Other subjects (including study abroad and exchange) may be included with the permission of the Languages and Linguistics Discipline leader.

Subject Code subject Name Credit Points Session(s)
Core
100-Level
JAPA141 Beginners' Japanese 6 Autumn
JAPA142 Transitional Japanese 6 Spring
200-Level
JAPA243 Pre-Intermediate Japanese 8 Autumn
JAPA261 Intermediate Japanese I 8 Spring
JAPA216 The Making of a Globalised Japan 8 Autumn
300-Level
Either the following two subjects:
JAPA361 Advanced Japanese I 8 Not offered in 2015
JAPA362 Advanced Japanese II 8 Not offered in 2015
Or the following two subjects:
JAPA363 Advanced Japanese 3 8 Autumn
JAPA364 Advanced Japanese 4 8 Spring
Electives
300-Level
JAPA310 Advanced Readings in Japanese 8 Spring

Spanish

Spanish is spoken by more than 400 million people worldwide in 22 countries. The main goal of the study of Spanish is to develop students' communications skills in the Spanish language and their understanding of the cultures of Spain and Spanish-speaking Latin America.

Learning Outcomes

A student completing Japanese in the Diploma of languages will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate a broad understanding of the Spanish language and grammar
  2. Communicate in both spoken and written Spanish at B2 Level in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)
  3. Comprehend spoken and written Spanish at B2 level in the CEFR
  4. Critically analyse and evaluate historical events and socio-cultural forces that have shaped the Hispanic world, its people and the Spanish language

 

Program of Study

To qualify for award of the Diploma in Languages (course code 1002) a student must complete a total of at least 48 credit points from subjects listed from the Spanish study program below.

Students will complete a minimum of 6 subjects. These subjects will predominantly be language acquisition subjects and may include study abroad in Spanish as part of an exchange program or study abroad program with a partner University. Other subjects (including study abroad and exchange) may be included with the permission of the Languages and Linguistics Discipline leader.

Students commencing at beginner level must complete all core subjects.

A student who had studied Spanish to HSC level and was commencing university Spanish at 200 level (with permission of the program) must complete all 200 and 300 level core subjects and one elective subject. Other subjects (including study abroad and exchange) may be included with the permission of the Languages and Linguistics Discipline leader.

Subject Code subject Name Credit Points Session(s)
Core
100-Level
SPAN151 Spanish for Beginners 1 6 Autumn
SPAN152 Spanish for Beginners 2 6 Spring
200-Level
SPAN251 Spanish Intermediate 1 8 Autumn
SPAN252 Spanish Intermediate 2 8 Spring
SPAN220 The Hispanic World 8 Spring
300-Level
SPAN351 Advanced Spanish I 8 Autumn
SPAN352 Advanced Spanish II 8 Spring
Electives
300-Level
SPAN310 Advanced Studies in Spanish 8 Spring
LANG305 Literature and Society in Renaissance Europe 8 Not offered in 2015

Credit Arrangements

Credit and articulation arrangements are available from the Course Finder. Refer to UOW's credit arrangements for information on how to apply for credit.

Other Information

Further information is available at:
UOW Course Finder
Email: lha-enquiries@uow.edu.au

Last reviewed: 27 November, 2014