Course summary

Lancaster’s joint Chinese Studies and Film degree is taught by the Department of Languages and Cultures in conjunction with Lancaster Institute for the Contemporary Arts (LICA). Your Chinese Studies programme enables you to acquire high-level Chinese language skills while gaining a thorough understanding of China's historical, cultural, social and political background in a global context. Chinese may be studied at either beginner or advanced level. In Film, you’ll examine cinema’s aesthetic, social and political importance in the context of an increasingly visual and media-orientated global culture, tracing the development of film from its origins as a technical novelty in the late 19th century through to its emergence as one of the most influential art forms of the 20th and early 21st century. You will study cinema history and the social significance of films and will develop a detailed understanding of the techniques of film production. Alongside this investigation of the theory and history of cinema, students have the opportunity to make their own digital film in all three years of the course either individually or as part of a group, drawing on our excellent technical resources and dedicated technician support. Your first year comprises an exploration of the Chinese language and its cultural context as well as an introduction to Film Studies. Alongside this, you will study a minor subject from a list of subjects provided to you. You will learn language and culture in innovative and engaging ways. For example, students learn the Chinese language in its social and cultural context by participating in a wide range of activities through the Chinese Friendship Project. Recent activities have included a day trip to Manchester Chinatown, Chinese Food Corner, Chinese Film Night, Chinese festival celebration, and more.