Delve into the world's most commonly spoken language while exploring a vibrant, varied culture. Our Chinese classes are designed to prepare our students to engage in a global world, equipped with Chinese language skills and cultural knowledge. Our students will apply their linguistic and cultural competencies to a wide variety of majors and careers, most notably, international studies and business. They will develop problem-solving skills to address future global challenges.
We offer study abroad opportunities in multiple locations in China to students who have completed two years of language study. Among them, the language immersion program at China Studies Institute hosted in Beijing University is one of our star programs.
Our faculty and students collaborate on opportunities that advance scholarly inquiry, cultivate critical and creative thought, and generate knowledge.
Concentration in Chinese
The concentration in Chinese is available for the major or minor in Languages, Literatures & Cultures. To learn more about the degree requirements, please review the program of study in Bulletin.
Learn About the Languages, Literatures & Cultures Major and Minor
Featured Courses
CHIN 1616
Asian Ecocinema and Ecoliterature
About this Course
Following decades of economic boom, continuing industrial development, and expansion of urbanization, many Asian countries, especially China and India, are now facing unprecedented environmental crises. The list of ecological woes in Asian countries include air, water, and soil pollution; flooding and drought, deforestation and desertification, epidemics of diseases, coal mine accidents, the loss of land to urban expansion, and mass migration. Asian ecoliterature and ecocinema, both in documentary and feature film form, have functioned as responses to, and critical reflection of, the urgent environmental crises, as well as broader cultural, historical, and social issues that caused environmental and ecological problems. Through critically examining the representative literary and filmic works, this course will 1) introduce students to ancient Asian concepts about Nature and critical events that have reshaped the historical course of development of the concerned countries; 2) demonstrate and explain primary themes presented in the ecocinema and literature, such as hydro-politics of air, water, forests and development; bio-ethics and green culture; eco-aesthetics and the representations of Nature; migration and urbanization. This course counts toward the Analytical Inquiry: Society and Culture requirement.
CHIN 3300
Chinese Society in Transition
About this Course
Through studying selected texts and focusing on topics about various aspects of Chinese society in transition, this class aims at strengthening and further developing students’ overall skills, in particular, skills of reading comprehension, presenting information and one’s opinions, and debating with other people. Prerequisite: CHIN 2003 plus study in China OR CHIN 2302; or permission of instructor.
CHIN 3601
Business Chinese I
About this Course
Advanced reading course designated for students who have an advanced level of Chinese language proficiency or who are in their fourth year of a Chinese language curriculum either at the undergraduate or graduate level.
