Chinese Language Courses

CHIN 101 Elementary Chinese I (4). Introduction to Mandarin Chinese, focusing on pronunciation, simple conversation, and basic grammar. Reading and writing Chinese characters are also taught. Writing Chinese characters is required. Four hours per week. Students may not receive credit for both CHIN 101 or CHIN 102 and CHIN 111. Fall.

CHIN 102 Elementary Chinese II (4). Prerequisite, CHIN 101. Continued training in listening, speaking, reading, and writing on everyday topics. Writing Chinese characters is required. Four hours per week. Students may not receive credit for both CHIN 101 or CHIN 102 and CHIN 111. Spring.

CHIN 111 Elementary Written Chinese (3). For students who already understand and speak some Chinese; entry to this course is by placement only. The course focuses on reading and writing. Writing Chinese characters is required.  Three hours per week. Students may not receive credit for both CHIN 101 or CHIN 102 and CHIN 111. Fall.

CHIN 203 Intermediate Chinese I (4). Prerequisite, CHIN 102. Second-year level of modern standard Chinese. Writing Chinese characters is required. Four hours per week. Fall.

CHIN 204 Intermediate Chinese II (4). Prerequisite, CHIN 203. Second-year level of modern standard Chinese. Writing Chinese characters is required. Four hours per week. Spring.

CHIN 212 Intermediate Written Chinese (3). Prerequisite, CHIN 111. For students who already understand and speak some Chinese. The training in the course focuses on reading and writing. Writing Chinese characters is required. Three hours per week. Students may not receive credit for both CHIN 204 and CHIN 212. Spring.

CHIN 305 Advanced Chinese I (3). Prerequisite, CHIN 204. This course emphasizes the development of conversational skills and vocabulary building with readings on everyday topics. Writing Chinese characters is required. Three hours per week. Students may not receive credit for both CHIN 305 or CHIN 306 and CHIN 313. Fall.

CHIN 306 Advanced Chinese II (3). Prerequisite, CHIN 305. This course emphasizes the development of conversational skills and vocabulary building with readings on everyday topics. Writing Chinese characters is required. Three hours per week. Students may not receive credit for both CHIN 305 or CHIN 306 and CHIN 313. Spring.

CHIN 308. Chinese Languages across the Curriculum Recitation (1). Prerequisite, CHIN 212 or CHIN 305. Chinese-language seminar offered in conjunction with selected Chinese content courses taught in English. Students will use the target language (Chinese) to read and discuss weekly topics related to the corresponding content courses. Not intended for native Chinese speakers.

CHIN 313 Advanced Written Chinese (3). Prerequisite, CHIN 212. The third course for Chinese heritage students. Course materials correspond to those in CHIN 305 and CHIN 306. Writing Chinese characters is required. Three hours per week. Students may not receive credit for both CHIN 305 or CHIN 306 and CHIN 313. Fall.

CHIN 407 Readings in Modern Chinese I (3). Prerequisite, CHIN 306. Read authentic texts of modern Chinese, including newspaper articles and writings of literary, cultural, and social interest. Writing Chinese characters is required. Students may not receive credit for both CHIN 407 or CHIN 408 and CHIN 414. Fall.

CHIN 408 Readings in Modern Chinese II (3). Prerequisite, CHIN 407. Read authentic texts of modern Chinese, including newspaper articles and writings of literary, cultural, and social interest. Writing Chinese characters is required. Students may not receive credit for both CHIN 407 or CHIN 408 and CHIN 414.Spring.

CHIN 441 Chinese-English Translation and Interpreting (3). Instruction and practice in Chinese-to-English translation (written) and interpreting (oral), designed for second-language learners of Chinese. Students work with materials covering many fields. Students in track A can take this course either concurrently with or after CHIN 407, but students in track B can take this course only after completing CHIN 313.

CHIN 443 Business Communication in Chinese (3). The goal of this course is to improve students’ overall language proficiency using Chinese for business purposes. They will develop enhanced skills of reading business journalism and case studies and writing business letters or email messages. Students in track A can take this course either concurrently with or after CHIN 407, but students in track B can take this course only after completing CHIN 313.

CHIN 490 Topics in Chinese Literature and Language (3). Readings in Chinese literature and language on varying topics. May be taken more than once for credit as topics change. Students in track A can take this course either concurrently with or after CHIN 407, but students in track B can take this course only after completing CHIN 313.

CHIN 496 Independent Readings in Chinese (1–3). Permission of the department. For the student who wishes to create and pursue an independent project in Chinese under the supervision of a selected instructor. Maximum three credit hours per semester.

CHIN 510 Introduction to Classical Chinese (3). Advanced study of Chinese classics. Students in track A can take this course either concurrently with or after CHIN 407, but students in track B can take this course only after completing CHIN 313.

CHIN 521 Chinese History in Chinese (3). Prerequisite, CHIN 408 or CHIN 313. This is a fifth-year Chinese course offered as a language course to improve students’ language abilities and as a content course surveying Chinese history in Chinese.

CHIN 525 Ancient Philosophers and Their Modern Reincarnation (3). Prerequisite, CHIN 408 or 313. Recommended preparation, CHIN 510. This course examines the reinterpretation and appropriation of ancient Chinese philosophy in contemporary China, on such themes as Confucian ethics and Daoist metaphysics and aesthetics.

CHIN 590 Advanced Topics in Chinese Literature and Language (3). Prerequisite, CHIN 408 or 313. This is an advanced topics course in Chinese literature and language, culture and society. The instruction is entirely in Chinese with the use of authentic materials. Three hours per week.

CHIN 624 Chinese Internet Literature (3). Prerequisite, CHIN 313 or CHIN 408. Recommended preparation, at least one advanced Chinese language course above the CHIN 408 or CHIN 313 level. This is a content and language course designed for advanced (native or near-native fluency) undergraduate and graduate students to enhance the four language abilities and cultural literacy. Students will read The Story of Minglan, and analyze the problematic portrayals of traditional women’s domestic lives.

CHIN 631 Writing Chinese (in) America: Advanced Studies of a Foreign Literature from United States Homeland (3). Prerequisite, CHIN 313 or CHIN 408. Recommended preparation, at least one advanced Chinese language course above the CHIN 408 or CHIN 313 level. Encompasses a century of literary writings on the experiences of Chinese in the United States. The select works are written for Chinese communities worldwide, hence “writing Chinese in America,” while they reflect upon the formation of Chinese American identity, therefore “writing Chinese America.”