Dr Robert Irving
Assistant Lecturer
Robert Irving was born and educated in Melbourne and received his BA (Hons) degree from the University of Melbourne. He has taught Chinese at Melbourne Grammar School and RMIT, and began teaching on a permanent basis at Monash in the former Department of Asian Languages and Studies in 1990. For the past few years his main area of responsibility has been as coordinator of Intermediate Chinese, where he comes into contact with students in the second year of the beginners stream of Chinese language study as well as with first year students in the post-VCE stream.
Outside working hours Robert enjoys cycling and swimming, as well as good wine and food (particularly Chinese).
On this page:Qualifications
BA (Honours) (University of Melbourne)
Contact details
| Room | S513, Menzies Building (Building 11), Clayton Campus |
| Phone | (03) 9905 2227 (international 61 3 9905 2227) |
| robert.irving@arts.monash.edu.au | |
| Fax | (03) 9905 5437 (international: 61 3 9905 5437) |
| Mailing Address |
Mr R. Irving School of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics Building 11 Monash University Victoria 3800, Australia |
Units Taught
- Chinese 1,CHI1010
- Chinese 2, CHI1020
- Chinese 3, CHI1030/2030
- Chinese 4, CHI1040/2040
Chinese 1 & 2
If you have no prior knowledge, but would like to study it for one or two semesters, then this is for you. How much you can say, write and read in Chinese after just one semester will amaze you. You will be introduced to the beauty of Chinese characters, gain an insight into Chinese culture, and discover that Chinese is no more difficult to learn than any other foreign language. These units could just be the first step in your exploration of the field of Chinese studies.
Chinese 3 & 4
Completed VCE Chinese as a second language or have a basic foundation in Chinese?* Passed Chinese 2? Then Chinese 3 & 4 are the units for you. Build on your existing knowledge of Chinese in a variety of learning modes, with an emphasis on face-to-face teaching. Learn how to use your Chinese in a range of practical situations including: ordering a meal, catching a bus, opening a bank account ...... and MUCH MUCH MORE.
*If you have studied Chinese before you will need to sit for a placement test to determine the appropriate Chinese entry level for you.
Research interests
Current research
Robert undertook PhD studies at Monash University and has recently submitted his dissertation, entitled "Narrating New China: Chen Dengke, Liu Qing and the Politics of Literary Production (1949-1976)". The thesis explores the novels and other writings of these two writers not only as works of literature, but also as representative of the social and political practices of their time.
Robert also has a keen interest in the teaching of Chinese as a second language and has developed a series of language learning materials utilising Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL) technology.
Publications
‘The Chen Dengke Phenomenon—A Case of Affirmative Action in Maoist China’, Conference Proceedings of 17th Biennial Conference of the Asian Studies Association of Australia, June 2008, Melbourne, at: http://www.arts.monash.edu.au/mai/asaa/proceedings.php
"Power Chinese 1.01", CALICO Journal, Volume 17, Number 2, 1999, pp. 368-376.
"Fifty Patterns of Modern Chinese by Han Dezhi", Asian Studies Review , July 1995, 141-143
Conference Papers
June 2008: 17th Biennial Asian Studies Association of Australia Conference (Melbourne): ‘The Chen Dengke Phenomenon—A Case of Affirmative Action in Maoist China’.
November 2005 Monash University, School of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics Research Cluster ‘Cultural bridges and Borders’ Conference: ‘Literary Production in China during the 1950s: Chen Dengke a case study’.
July 2001 Chinese Studies Association of Australia Conference, Canberra: ‘Mao’s Yan’an Guidelines on Literature and Art—Literary Production in China post–Yan’an’.