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B.A. Major in Asian Studies: Chinese Concentration

The concentration in Chinese can be pursued along one of two tracks, depending on the student’s initial Chinese language placement. Students whose initial language placement is above CHIN 305 or 313 should consult the department.  Track A is for students who have completed CHIN 204; Track B is for students who have completed CHIN 212. Both require eight courses.

Core Requirements – Track A

Four language courses above CHIN 204, from this list:
CHIN 305: Advanced Chinese I
CHIN 306: Advanced Chinese II
CHIN 407: Readings in Modern Chinese I
CHIN 408: Readings in Modern Chinese II
CHIN 441: Chinese-English Translation and Interpreting
CHIN 443: Business Communication in Chinese
CHIN 445: Chinese Tea Culture and Its Changing Landscape
CHIN 490: Topics in Chinese Literature and Language
CHIN 510: Introduction to Classical Chinese
CHIN 520: Stay Tuned to China
CHIN 521: Chinese History in Chinese
CHIN 525: Ancient Philosophers and their Modern Reincarnation
CHIN 590: Advanced Topics in Chinese Literature and Language
CHIN 624: Chinese Internet Literature
CHIN 631: Writing Chinese in America: Advanced Studies of a Foreign Literature from U.S. Homeland

Two culture courses, chosen from the following:
ASIA 52: First-Year Seminar: Food in Chinese Culture
ASIA 55: First-Year Seminar: Kung-fu: The Concept of Heroism in Chinese Culture
ASIA/WGST 56: First-Year Seminar: Writing Women in Modern China
ASIA 65: First-Year Seminar: Philosophy on Bamboo: Rethinking Early Chinese Thought
CHIN 150: Introduction to Chinese Civilization
CHIN/CMPL 238: From Martial Arts to Street Dance: Rebellion with Chinese Characteristics
CHIN 242: Chinese Qin Music
CHIN 244: Introduction to Modern Chinese Culture through Cinema
CHIN/CMPL 247: Indigenous Spiritualities in Literatures of China and Taiwan
CHIN 252: Introduction to Chinese Culture Through Narrative
CHIN 253: Chinese Language and Society
CHIN 255: Bandit or Hero: Outlawry in Chinese Literature and Films
CHIN/HIST 265: Imperial China in Global Objects
CHIN 346: History as Fiction or Fiction as History?  Early Chinese History in Film and Literature
CHIN 356: Chinese Environmental Literature
CHIN 361: Chinese Traditional Theater
CHIN 367: Illustration and the Animation of Text
CHIN/HIST 439: Environmental China: Premodern Political Ecology
ASIA 453: Global Shangri-La: Tibet in the Modern World
CHIN 463: Narrative Ethics in Modern China
CHIN 464: The City in Modern Chinese Literature and Film
CHIN 475: Confucianism: Origin, History, and Contemporary Relevance
CHIN 476: Daoism: Origin, History, and Contemporary Relevance
CHIN/CMPL/WGST 480: Queering China
CHIN 545: Chinese Science Fiction
CHIN 551: Chinese Poetry in Translation
CHIN 552: Chinese Prose in Translation
CHIN 562: Contemporary Chinese Urban Culture and Arts
ASIA 692H: Senior Honors Thesis II

Two more courses from either the language or culture lists above.

Placement credit, PL, may not be used to meet core requirements for the concentration.

Additional Requirements – Track A

CHIN 101, 102, 203, and 204


Core Requirements – Track B

Four language courses above CHIN 212, from this list:
CHIN 313: Advanced Written Chinese
CHIN 441: Chinese-English Translation and Interpreting
CHIN 443: Business Communication in Chinese
CHIN 445: Chinese Tea Culture and Its Changing Landscape
CHIN 490: Topics in Chinese Literature and Language
CHIN 510: Introduction to Classical Chinese
CHIN 520: Stay Tuned to China
CHIN 521: Chinese History in Chinese
CHIN 525: Ancient Philosophers and their Modern Reincarnation
CHIN 590: Advanced Topics in Chinese Literature and Language
CHIN 624: Chinese Internet Literature
CHIN 631: Writing Chinese in America: Advanced Studies of a Foreign Literature from U.S. Homeland

Two culture courses chosen from the list given above for Track A.

Two more courses from either the language or culture lists above.

Placement credit, PL, may not be used to meet core requirements for the concentration.

Additional Requirements – Track B

CHIN 111 and 212


Approved language courses taken in UNC–Chapel Hill-sponsored study abroad programs may count in the concentration. However, study abroad courses may not substitute for any of the culture courses, which must be taken in the Department of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies. No more than one first-year seminar or senior honors thesis course may be included among the culture courses.

Placement credit (PL) may not be used to meet core requirements for the concentration.

With the approval of the associate chair of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, a student may count a course in directed readings, ASIA 496 or CHIN 496, in the concentration in Chinese. To register for ASIA 496 or CHIN 496, a student must obtain the approval of the associate chair and the faculty member who will supervise the project.