Faculty of Oriental Studies
Setting conventions for the Final Honour School in Oriental Studies 2016
CHINESE
The formal procedures determining the conduct of examinations are established and enforced
by the University Proctors. These conventions are a guide to the examiners and candidates but
the regulations set out in the Examination Regulations have precedence. The examiners are
nominated by the Nominating Committee in the Faculty and those nominations are submitted
for approval by the Vice-Chancellor and the Proctors.
1. Numbering of papers follows that in the Examination Regulations 2015. The
Examination Schools website, http://www.admin.ox.ac.uk/examregs/, gives
information on the provisional start date of the examination. The date, time and
location of individual papers will be published not less than 5 weeks before the start
of the first examination. For the order of papers in the examination itself, please refer
to the Examination timetable. Academic dress must be worn for all parts of the
examination including the viva if applicable.
2. In order to maintain the anonymity of the examination, candidates are instructed to
write their candidate number, not their names or Bodleian card number, on their
scripts and submitted works. Candidate numbers can be obtained from the Student
Self-Service, http://www.ox.ac.uk/students.
3. All submitted works should be typed or word- processed in double spacing and
should conform to the standards of academic presentation prescribed in the
"Guidelines for writers of Theses", https://weblearn.ox.ac.uk/x/rLRQ0z.
4. All submitted works (dissertations, take-home essays etc.) have to be securely held
together (not paper clips) with a cover sheet stating the degree, paper title, term and
year of submission, your candidate number and word count. Dissertations have to be
securely bound. Two copies of the works must be submitted to the Examination
Schools unless otherwise stated. A declaration form,
https://weblearn.ox.ac.uk/x/vpMauj, in a sealed envelope, should be included with the
two copies of the submitted works in a larger envelope. The larger envelope should
have your candidate number at the front and addressed to Chair of Examiners, (name
of degree), Examination Schools, High Street. The Chairman of Examinations in
Oriental Studies would like to advise candidates to obtain a signed receipt from the
Clerk of Exam Schools for their submitted work (e.g. if you are submitting
dissertations or take-home essays). Remember to write your candidate number and
not your name on all submitted work.
5. As well as two hard copies of the dissertation, candidates must also submit a copy of
their dissertation on a CD or memory stick in PDF format.
6. When submission of written work is required, the penalty posed in case of late
submission without the prior permission of the Proctors will range from outright
failure of the submitted work (i.e. where it is considered that the extra time has given
unfair advantage to the candidate and thus may be equated with cheating) to a
percentage reduction in the mark awarded, as deemed appropriate by the examiners.
Please refer to the Examination Conventions, https://weblearn.ox.ac.uk/x/eoq6Qc.
7. Candidates should note that if they have any complaints or queries concerning the
examination process, including results, these should be directed in the first instance to
their colleges and not to the examiners or any member of the teaching staff.
8. Candidates may be examined by viva voce (oral examination) and so candidates
should be prepared to travel to Oxford up until the final examiners’ meeting (5 July
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2016).
In deciding to conduct a Viva, examiners and assessors should bear in mind that:
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1.
The reason for holding a Viva must be clear and is when examiners are otherwise
unable to determine the class of the submitted papers.
A Viva must not be used as a means of assessing suspicions about possible
plagiarism.
A candidate must be given 2-3 days notice of the Viva.
The Viva must be scheduled to take place before the final examiners’ meeting.
A candidate who attends for a Viva can only improve on a class mark as a result of the
Viva.
Modern Chinese I
Part A: Prose translation (70%)
This section consists of two passages in English, which should be translated into
Chinese. Each piece will be approximately 250 English words.
Part B: Composition in Chinese (30%)
Candidates are asked to write a Chinese composition on one of three given topics. The
length of the composition should not be less than 400 Chinese characters.
2.
Modern Chinese II
Part A: Unseen translation (75%)
This section consists of three newspaper articles from mainland China, and Hong Kong
or Taiwan to be translated into English. Each article will be no more than 600 Chinese
characters in length.
Part B: Reading comprehension (25%)
Candidates are asked to answer questions in English after reading an article in Chinese
of approximately 1,000 Chinese characters.
3.
Oral
See separate conventions.
(Please note: the Oral examination is weighted as one half of one examination paper.)
4.
Classical I
The paper will be set in two sections, both of which must be attempted.
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Section A: Zhuangzi
Two passages will be set for translation into English. Candidates should translate both
passages (30%). Three further essay questions will be set, of which candidates should
answer one (20%).
Section B consists of two subsections: 1. Philosophy and 2. Historiography.
Candidates should choose one subsection. In each, two passages will be set for
translation into English. Candidates should translate both passages (30%). In each
subsection, three further essay questions will be set, of which candidates should answer
one (20%).
5.
Classical II
Four passages will be set. Section A will comprise two prepared passages drawn from
Yangzhou shi ri ji, Tamhon yon’gi or the selection of Ji Yun (Yue wei caotang biji) and Yuan
Mei (Zi bu yu) stories of the supernatural. Section B will comprise two passages of
unprepared pieces of late imperial narrative prose. Candidates should translate all four
passages. All questions will be weighted equally.
6.
Modern China
Ten essay questions will be set. Candidates should answer three questions. Questions will be
given equal weighting.
7.
Dissertation
Dissertations should be submitted to the Clerk of the Schools at the Examination Schools, not
later than noon on Friday of 10th Week of Hilary Term. Dissertations should not exceed 15,000
words, including footnotes, but excluding the bibliography and any appendices
If possible, candidates should submit a copy of their dissertation on a CD or flash drive
(memory stick) in PDF format together with the two hard copies. Remember to write your
candidate number and not your name on the dissertation. For submission and formatting
instructions, please refer to paragraph 3 and 4 above.
EITHER: CHINESE WITH SPECIAL TEXTS: Papers: 1-10
8. Special Option I: Texts
China and the World
There will be 8 questions based on the 8 sections listed below. Candidates must answer 5
questions, including at least two from Part A (pre-49) and two from Part B (post-49). Each
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question will comprise one passage that they must translate; a short-answer question about the
content will also be set. (All questions will be weighted equally.)
Part A
Section 1
Huang Qing zhi gongtu 皇清职贡图, Fu Heng et al. comps. (Shenyang: Liao Shen
shushe chuban, 1991), pp. 102–115. (Selections: descriptions of European nations
and their peoples from the 18th c.).
Yin Guangren 印光任 and Zhang Yulin 張汝霖, Aomen jilüe 澳门记略 (Shanghai:
Shanghai shudian chubanshe, 2003) pp. 28–32. (Selections describing foreigners in
Macao).
Section 2
Yingshi Magaerni fang Hua dang’an shiliao huibian 英使馬嘎爾尼訪華檔案史料匯
編 [Collected archival materials on the English envoy Macartney’s visit to China]
ed. Zhongguo di yi lishi dang’anguan 中國第一歷史檔案館. Beijing: Guoji
wenhua chuban gongsi 北京: 國際文化出版公司, 1996, pp. 176–77. (Memorials
concerning the Macartney mission).
Yapian zhanzheng dang’an shiliao 鸦片战争档案史料 (Tianjian: Tianjin guji
chubanshe, 1992) vol.1 no 4 (JQ20.3.23), pp.18–19 and no. 170 (Daoguang
19.7.24), pp. 673–675.
Section 3
Timothy Richard, ‘Chuang zao feiqi’ 創造飛器. (“Building a flying machine”,
Baptist Missionary Society Archives, Regents Park College).
Liu Dapeng 刘大鹏, Qianyuan suoji 潜园锁记 [Notes from Qian garden] (excerpts),
pp. 27–30, 32–35. (This is the essays headed: Jin min lian yihequan 晋民练议和拳
[Shanxi people practice Boxing] pp. 27–9; Funü lianxi hongdengzhao 妇女练习红
灯照 [Women practice as Red Lanterns], pp. 29–30; Jiaomin 教民 [Christians] pp.
32–33; Zhou xian guan ou (qu) min ru yangjiao 州县官殴（驱）民入洋教
[Prefectural and county level officials beat (drive) people to join the foreign
religion], pp. 33–34).
Qiu Jin 秋瑾, ‘Jinggao zimeimen’ 敬告姊妹们 [Warning to my sisters], in Qiu Jin ji
秋瑾集 [Collected works of Qiu Jin] (Shanghai: Shanghai guji chuban she, 1991,
pp. 13–16.
Section 4
Chen Duxiu 陈独秀, ‘Dong xi minzu genben sixiang zhi chayi’ 东西民族根本思想
之差异 [The differences in the fundamental thought of East and West], Xin
qingnian 新青年 [New Youth] 1.4 (1915), pp. 1–4. (Shanghai Yadong tushuguan
1962 reprint, pp. 283–6).
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Wusa yundong shiliao 五卅运动史料 [Historical materials on the May 30th
Movement]. (Shanghai: Shanghai renmin chubanshe, 1981) (excerpts), pp. 303–5,
600–1, 685–6. (This is the items headed: Nei wai mianshachang gonghui fabiao de
bagong xuanyuan 内外棉纱厂工会发表的罢工宣言 [Strike manifesto from the
trades union of the Chinese and foreign owned cotton mills], pp. 303–5; Wei Riren
cansha Xiaoshadu gongren gao tongbao 为日人残杀小沙渡工人告同胞
[Announcement to my countrymen that the Japanese have massacred workers on
Rue Lafayette], pp. 600–1; Shanghai xuesheng shimin gongren fankang diguozhuyi
da yundong xuanyan 上海学生市民工人反抗帝国主义大运动宣言 [Manifesto for
the Shanghai students, citizens and workers great anti-imperialist movement], pp.
685–686.
Part B
Section 5
Shenhou de youyi 深厚的友谊（漫画）(Beijing: Sino-Soviet Friendship
Association, 1950). (Picture book on Soviet expert training women to drive
locomotives in Dalian).
‘Reqing de bangzhu he qinqie de guanhuai’ 热情的帮助和亲切的关怀 in Sulian shi
women shishi de pengyou he laoshi 苏联是我们忠实的朋友和老师 (Beijing: Xin
zhishi chubanshe, 1956), pp. 1–7. (Reports on a visit to Soviet Russia by a
delegation of Chinese schoolteachers in the 1950s).
‘Zhou Enlai zongli zai Yafei huiyi shang fayan’ 周恩来总理再亚非会议上发言. in
Yafei huiyi wenjian xuanji 亚非会议文件选辑 (Beijing: Shijie zhishi she, 1955) pp.
27–33. ( Zhou Enlai’s speech at the Bandung Conference in 1955).
Section 6
‘Dadao xin shahuang’ 打倒新沙皇！Renmin ribao 人民日报 3.3.1969 and ‘Ying
diguozhuyishi zenyang qinzhan wo xianggang, jiulong he xinjie de’ 英帝国主义是
怎样侵占我香港，九龙和新界的, Renmin ribao 人民日报 22.8.1967. (Two
articles from Renmin ribao, one attacking Soviet revisionism and one attacking
British imperialism in Hong Kong).
Jin Dalu 金大陆, Feichang yu zhengchang 非常与正常 (Shanghai ci chubanshe,
2011), pp. 220–224. (Personal memoir on fashion during the Cultural Revolution).
“Zhonghua renmin gongheguo zhengfu he Riben guo zhengfu lianhe shengming” 中
华人民共和国政府和日本国政府联合声明 [Joint statement of the People’s
Republic of China and the government of Japan], 29 September 1972.
Section 7
Song Qiang 宋強 et al., Zhongguo keyi shuo bu 中國可以說不 [China can say no]
(Hong Kong: Mingbao chubanshe, 1996), excerpt: 美国没有资格在人权问题上批
评中国 [The United States is in no position to criticize China on human rights], pp.
304–315.
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“Zhongri guanyu jianli zhili yu heping yu fazhande youhao hezuo huoban guanxi de
lianhe xuanyan” 中日关于建立致力于和平与发展的友好合作伙伴关系的联合
宣言 [Joint declaration of China and Japan concerning establishing a friendly
partner relationship, 26 November 1998.
Liu Jiangyong. Zhongguo yu riben: Bianhuazhong de ‘zhengleng jingre’ guanxi
[China and Japan: a changing ‘politically cold economically hot’ relationship].
Beijing: Renmin chubanshe, 2007. Excerpts on the Diaoyu Islands dispute pp. 521523 (Zhongri liangguo Diaoyudao guishu zhi zheng you jiaju zhi shi 中日两国钓鱼
岛归属之争有加剧之势 [The intensification of the conflict over ownershp of the
Diaoyu Islands between China and Japan]); pp. 551–554 (Cong guojifa jiaodu kan
Diaoyu dao zhuquan guishu 从国际法角度看钓鱼岛主权归属 [Looking at
sovereignty over the Diaoyu Islands from the point of view of international law]).
Xi Jinping 习近平. “Zhongguo meng jiushi renmin de xingfu meng” 中国梦就是人
民的幸福梦 [The Chinese dream is the people’s dream of happiness]. Speech
made at the opening ceremony of the 12th National People’s Congress, 17 March
2013.
Section 8
Lu shi zupu 盧氏族譜 [Lu family genealogy], pp. 20–24 (extract). (Autobiographical
text by a Chinese who came to open a laundry in Manchester in the late 19th
century)
“Gui dongnan zhongdian qiaoxiang” 桂东南重点侨乡 [Important home areas of
Overseas Chinese in southeast Guangxi], from Guangxi tongzhi. Qiaowu zhi 广西
通志: 侨务志, Guangxi renmin chubanshe, 1994, pp. 165–71. (Gazetteer extract
describing Rong county which has a long history of emigration)
“Bai Xueqiao: chuanqi huaqiao nüjigong” 白雪樵：传奇华侨女机工” [Bai Xueqiao:
Tales of an overseas Chinese woman engineer]. Yangcheng wanbao 羊城晚报 21
September 2005.
“Bai Xueqiao de yi feng xin” 白雪樵的一封信 [A letter from Bai Xueqiao], 19 May
1935.
“Guangxi Zhuangzu zizhiqu qiaowu bangongshi Guangxi Zhuangzu zizhiqu jiedai
anzhi Yinzhi nanmin bangongshi guanyu jinyibu zuohao nanqiao anzhi gongzuo
yijian de baogao” 广西壮族自治区侨务办公室广西壮族自治区接待安置印支难
民办公室关于进一步做好难侨安置工作意见的报告 [Guangxi Zhuang
Autonomous Region Overseas Chinese Office Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous
Region Office for the Reception and Resettlement of Refugees from Indochina
proposal for improving resettlement work for Overseas Chinese refugees], from
Guangxi tongzhi. Qiaowu zhi 广西通志。侨务志 [Guangxi gazetteer: Overseas
Chinese affairs]. Guangxi renmin chubanshe, 1994, pp. 340–341.
Modern Literature and Film
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Thirteen passages will be set from the texts listed below, of which candidates must
translate five, one from each section.
Section A
1. Lu Xun: “Kuangren riji (Hong Kong: 1970), 13-27.
2. Lu Xun: “Kong Yiji” (Hong Kong: 1970), 28-33.
3. Zhao Tiaokuang: “Diandang”, Xiaoshuo shijie 2/1 (1923): 1-8.
Section B
4. Ling Shuhua: “Xiuzhen” (Singapore: 1960), 18-22.
5. Xiao Hong: “Shou” (Harbin: 1998), 727-741.
Section C
6. Wen Yiduo: “Sishui" (Shanghai: 1949), 99-100.
7. Ba Jin: “Gou” (Beijing: 1986), 46-55.
8. Xiao Hong: “Shimian zhi ye” (Harbin: 1998), 1183-1185.
9. Shen Congwen: “Zhangfu” (Changsha: 1998), 58-61.
Section D
10. Lao She: selections from Luotuo Xiangzi (Beijing: 1985), 196-214.
11. Mu Shiying: “Shanghai de hubuwu” (Changchun: 1998), 261-271.
Section E
12. Ding Ling: “Wo zai Xiacun de shihou” (Beijing: 1997), 65-83.
13. Zhang Ailing: “Fengsuo” (Beijing: 1986), 331-345.
Orality and Textuality in Chinese culture
Ten passages will be set from the texts listed below, of which candidates must
translate five, one from each section.
All texts are on Weblearn (“Teaching on China”)
1.
 Gan Bao 干寶, Soushenji 搜神記 ()Beijing: Zhonghua shuju, 1979) 5:57-61.
 Yu Yue 俞樾，Youtai xianguan biji 右台仙館筆記 (Shanghai: Shanghai guji
chubanshe, 1986) 9: 229, 15:389.
 Wang Gengxin 王耕心, Mohe amituo jing zhonglun摩訶阿彌陀經衷論 (1905 preface:
ZZK 22: 401) CBETA edition X22n0401_p0171a19-X22n0401_p0172a01
2.
 Prefaces to 關聖帝君感應明聖經註解 (Vietnamese reprint of famous Chinese
morality book [shanshu 善書]] (downloaded from:
http://lib.nomfoundation.org/collection/1/volume/334) (publication info of this
particular edition: 玉山祠藏板 • Ngọc Sơn từ tàng bản; Place: 河内 • Hà Nội; Date:
嗣德新巳三十四年仲春敬刻 • 1881).
3.
 Suishu (Beijing: Zhonghua shuju edition), 35:1092 (from 其受道之法 to and including
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緘而佩之).
 Sima Guang 司馬光, Sushui jiwen 涑水記聞 (Congshu jicheng edition), 14:152 (from
line 7 故事 to end of passage).
 Pudu 普度, Lushan lianzong baojian 廬山蓮宗寳鑑 (Taishō-canon, T47n1973),
CBETA edition 336a18-336b09.
 Lu Can 陸粲, Gengsibian 庚巳編 (Beijing: Zhonghua shuju, 1987), 4:43.
 Yuan Mei 袁枚, Zibuyu 子不語 (Changsha: Yuelu shushe, 1985) 5: 101-102, 104-105.
4.
 Nogŏltae sinsŏ/Lao qida xinshi 乞大新釋, 1a-2b (13-16), in: Nogǒltae; Nogŏltae
ŏnhae; Nogŏltae sinsŏk: Chunggan Nogŏltae; Chunggan Nogŏltae ŏnhae 老乞大; 老
乞大諺解; 老乞大 新釋; 重刊老乞大; 重刊 老乞大 諺解 (Series: Kyujanggak
charyo ch'ongsŏ. Ŏhakp'yŏn 奎章閣 資料 叢書. 語學篇; vols. 1-2; [Sǒul: Sŏul
Taehakkyo Kyujanggak 서울: 서울 大學校奎章閣, 2003]).
 Liu Yuan 劉沅，Cunxue jiuyu 村學究語, in vol. 10 of Liu Yuan, Huaixuan quanshu,
Zengbu ben 槐軒全書, 增補本 (Chengdu: Bashu shushe, 2006), 27a-28b, 33a-34b
and 38a-40b (sections 書宜熟讀, 大宜防閑 and 不可離館).
 Guo Moruo 郭沫若, Shaonian shidai: Moruo zizhuan 少年時代沫若自傳 (Shanghai:
Xin wenyi chubanshe, 1955 [1947] 31-38 (sections relevant to early schooling).
 Shen Congwen 沈從文, Congwen zizhuan 從文自傳 (Xianggang: Huitong shudian,
1976) 9-24 (sections relevant to early schooling).
5.
 Yang Jialuo 楊家駱, Dunhuang bianwen 敦煌變文 (Taibei: Shijie shuju 世界書局,
19897) 170 (starts with 遠公入寺)-173 (ends with 乃成偈曰).
 Anonymous, Zhengtong linronglu 正統臨戎錄 (Congshu jicheng 3974) 15 (十五日)21 (first 也).
 Cao Xueqin 曹雪芹, Hongloumeng紅樓夢, Chapter 25 魘魔法叔嫂逢五鬼/通靈玉蒙
蔽遇雙真.
9.
Special Option II: Essays
China and the World
Eight essay questions will be set. Candidates must answer three (each question will be
weighted equally).
Modern Literature and Film
Eight essay questions will be set. Candidates must answer three (each question will be
weighted equally).
Orality and Textuality in Chinese culture
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Eight essay questions will be set. Candidates must answer three (each question will be
weighted equally).
10.
Special Option III
Extended Essay
The extended essay, of not more than 5,000 words, will be set on Monday of 1st week of
Trinity Term, for submission on Friday of 2nd week. Candidates should choose the general
area of their essay in consultation with the tutor in charge of the course, and their decision
must be submitted in writing to the tutor and to the Oriental Studies Faculty Office by Friday
of 5th week of Hilary Term. Essay titles may be collected by candidates in person from the
office at the China Centre from 9am on Monday of 1st week and should be submitted to the
Examination Schools no later than Friday of 2nd week at 12 noon. For submission
instructions, please refer to paragraph 4 in the introductory instructions at the top of this
document.
Linguistics
This is an examination paper, to be sat in the Examination Schools. Twelve essay questions
will be set, of which candidates must answer three (each question will be weighted equally).
OR CHINESE WITH A SUBSIDIARY LANGUAGE: Papers 1–7 above, and 11, 12 and
13.
Japanese
11. Japanese Language
(Paper 11a. may be substituted for Paper 11 by special permission.)
11. Japanese Language
a) Candidates will be required to translate one unseen passage from modern Japanese
into English (40%).
b) Candidates will be required to translate a number of sentences and a passage of
connected prose from English into Japanese (40%).
c) Candidates will be required to provide grammatical analysis of selected examples
from the unseen passage in Japanese and answer general questions on Japanese
grammar (20%).
All questions must be answered (each section will be weighted equally).
11a. Classical Japanese
A three-hour written examination of translation from classical Japanese into English.
The paper will consist of three questions, each offering a choice of at least two
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passages for translation. Two questions will involve translation of set text passages, and
one question will involve translation of an unprepared passage. Passages for translation
will usually be between 400 and 800 ji in length.
In the marking, equal weight will be given to each question.
12. Literature
Prepared Texts in Japanese
Candidates will be required to translate four passages from prepared texts into English
and to provide grammatical or other explanatory comment on specified examples from
the texts. (Explanatory comment involves the elucidation of proper nouns, specialist
terms, ambiguities, etc). Each passage will be between approximately 600 and 800 ji.
Within each individual question the translation will attract 75% of the marks and the
commentary will attract 25% of the marks.
All questions must be answered and will be weighted equally.
Texts:
Shinichi Hoshi, ‘Jūyō na ninmu’ (in Samazama na meirō, Shiincho Bunko, 1983).
Kobo Abe, ‘Akai Mayu’ (in Warera no bungaku, Vol. 7, Tokyo: Kodansha, 1967, pp.
450-451).
Kunihiro Narumi, ‘Daitoshi ni okeru jumin no shūgō kōzō'’(in Umehara and Moriya
eds, Toshika no bunmeigaku, Chuo Koron-sha, 1985 (p. 83, line 1 to p. 87, line 1).
Rokuro Kono, ‘Moji no honshitsu’ (in Nihongo, vol 8, Iwanami Shoten, 1977).
13. History and Culture
Japanese History and Culture
The examination will consist of two parts. The first part will be
(a) Identifications. Short factual identifications of people and events, covering both
modern and pre-modern Japan, will be set. All questions should be attempted.
The second part will be
(b) Essays. Three questions should be attempted, with at least one from each section.
Section (a) will carry 25% and each essay in (b) will carry 25%.
Korean
11.
Korean Texts (Subsidiary)
The examination will consist of four parts. Each part will consist of passages for
translation and commentary. All four parts with translation and commentary must be
attempted and will carry equal marks.
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12.
Korean History and Culture (Subsidiary)
Candidates will be required to answer four out of ten questions. Topics covered will
include the language, history, literature, and culture of Korea. All questions carry
equal marks.
13.
Korean Language (Subsidiary).
The paper consists of four parts. Part I contains two or three seen articles for reading
comprehension. The candidates should answer the questions in English. Part II offers
three articles for unseen translation, of which the candidates should choose two to
translate into English. Part III comprises five short unseen English sentences for
translation into modern, idiomatic Korean. In Part IV the candidates will be presented
with three topics, of which the candidates should choose one to write an essay in
Korean within the limit of 500 words. Candidates should answer ALL questions.
Candidates should answer ALL parts. English-Korean and Korean-English
dictionaries (the Elite Sisa version) will be supplied. Weighting of the paper is as
follows: Part I: 40%; Part II: 20%; Part III: 10%, and Part IV: 30%.
Chair of Examiners: Dr James Benson
Examiners: Dr Robert Chard, Professor Barend ter Haar, Professor Natascha Gentz
(Edinburgh)
Candidates must not under any circumstances contact examiners directly
Hilary Term 2016
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