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-,  500-, and 600-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 other 400- , 500-, and 600-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 Global 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. The next level beyond 408/313 is the 44X courses (and CHIN 510), and students should plan to take at least one of these before proceeding to the 5XX or 6XX courses.