Chinese Course Sequence

Explanation of Chinese course sequence:

Genuine beginners wishing to learn Chinese should enroll in CHIN 101.  Anyone with prior knowledge of spoken Chinese will be required to take a placement test which determines what class they should begin with.  That initial placement will situate a student in one of the two tracks.  It is never possible to change from one track to the other.

Students in Track A must take the following courses in sequence: CHIN 101 > 102 > 203 > 204 > 305 > 306 > 407 > 408.  After taking CHIN 408, they may take other 400- and 500-level courses.  It is recommended to complete the initial sequence through 408 before embarking on these higher-level courses, but it is also permissible to begin taking some of them concurrently with CHIN 407 and CHIN 408 (for instance, if a senior needs to double up on Chinese courses in order to complete the major).  One may not skip 407-408 and proceed to the higher courses.

Students in Track B (the “heritage track”) must take the following courses in sequence: CHIN 111 > 212 > 313.  After taking CHIN 313, they may take 400- and 500-level courses.  Note that the first three courses in track B are each considered to be roughly equivalent to two semesters in track A, and that therefore, CHIN 212 completes the general language requirement.

After 408/313, the two tracks essentially merge together, and students from both tracks will mingle in the higher-level courses.  Note, however, that some of the courses beyond 408/313 have additional prerequisites and some do not; students should be sure to consult the prerequisites to individual courses they are considering.