Chinese
College of Arts and Letters
Program Description
Courses in Chinese encompass the study of Chinese language, literature, media, and culture. The primary emphasis is on Modern Standard Mandarin Chinese. Elementary Chinese courses (CHIN 1A through CHIN 1B) focus on reading, writing, and spoken Mandarin, based on Traditional Chinese characters. Upon completion of CHIN 2B, students will be able to converse at an elementary to intermediate level and to read and write Traditional and Simplified Chinese texts. The upper division courses form the nucleus of the minor and provide a foundation for advanced studies at other universities or graduate school. Upper division lecture courses taught in English are designed to help students appreciate the richness of Chinese culture, language, and literature in the tradition of general education.
An understanding of China, combined with proficiency in the Chinese language, will, in addition to the obvious academic and intellectual gains, make graduates more versatile and sought after in international business, education, social work, law enforcement, government, and Foreign Service positions.
Through language instruction, students will acquire the basic tools to communicate with the growing population of Chinese-speaking immigrants in California, to undertake travels in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and other Southeast Asian countries where Chinese are a major ethnic group, and to pursue further studies in Chinese history, culture, and society.
Students interested in further advanced study in Chinese may design a Special Major in Chinese by consulting program faculty and spending one year undergoing intensive language study at a Mandarin Training Center in Taiwan, China, or Hong Kong. The Asian Studies Program also offers a major with a concentration in Chinese Studies.
Degree Program
Contact Information
Curtis Smith, Department Chair
Valeria Herrera, Administrative Support Coordinator
Mariposa Hall 2051
(916) 278-6333
Department of World Languages & Literatures Website
Faculty
SMITH, CURTIS D.
How to Read Course Descriptions
CHIN 1A. Elementary Mandarin. 5 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall only
Beginning Mandarin with emphasis on listening comprehension, speaking, grammar structure and character writing. The relationship between language and culture will also be emphasized. Includes an introduction to elements of Chinese culture that pertain to language, such as mode of thinking, inter-human relations, and aesthetic expressions.
CHIN 1B. Elementary Mandarin. 5 Units
Prerequisite(s): CHIN 1A or instructor permission.
General Education Area/Graduation Requirement: Foreign Language Graduation Requirement, Humanities (Area C2)
Term Typically Offered: Spring only
Continuation of CHIN 1A, with growing emphasis on reading, writing, and listening. Chinese cultural patterns as reflected in the language, such as societal values and views of the world, will continue to be emphasized.
CHIN 2A. Intermediate Mandarin. 4 Units
Prerequisite(s): CHIN 1B or instructor permission.
General Education Area/Graduation Requirement: Foreign Language Graduation Requirement
Term Typically Offered: Fall only
Intermediate Mandarin on the further development of reading, speaking, and writing skills. Emphasis will be placed on the shift from romanized script to Chinese characters. Introduction will also be made to simple prose reading. Meets the Foreign Language Graduation Proficiency Requirement.
CHIN 2B. Intermediate Mandarin. 4 Units
Prerequisite(s): CHIN 2A or instructor permission.
General Education Area/Graduation Requirement: Foreign Language Graduation Requirement
Term Typically Offered: Spring only
Continuation of CHIN 2A designed to further the development of reading, speaking and writing skills at the intermediate to intermediate-high level.
CHIN 110. Advanced Mandarin. 3 Units
Prerequisite(s): CHIN 2B or instructor permission.
Term Typically Offered: Fall only
Offered to third-year Mandarin learners, this course is designed to further develop language and communication skills with a focus on reading and discussing selected topics pertaining to a variety of contemporary China. Students will also study strategies for reading both simplified and traditional Chinese characters.
CHIN 120. Chinese Civilization. 3 Units
General Education Area/Graduation Requirement: Humanities (Area C2)
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
Presentation of formative cultural achievements of China through language and literature with a view to understanding present-day popular Chinese culture. A general survey conducted in English for students who are taking Chinese language courses and others who want a deeper appreciation of this important non-Western culture.
CHIN 130. Introduction to Classical and Literary Chinese. 3 Units
Prerequisite(s): CHIN 2A or equivalent
The classical Chinese language, also known as literary Chinese, is the doorway into the fascinating world of Chinese culture. It has been the primary form of communication for at least three thousand years. Although Classical Chinese uses many of the same characters as modern Mandarin Chinese, the syntax and diction are quite different. In this course, we will study the language through readings in early philosophical, historical, and poetic texts.
CHIN 150. Survey of Chinese Literature. 3 Units
General Education Area/Graduation Requirement: Humanities (Area C2)
Term Typically Offered: Spring only
Introduction to Chinese literature from classical times to the present. The various forms of Chinese prose, drama, poetry, and novel will be surveyed through the selective reading of representative works (in English translation). Class is conducted in English.
CHIN 195. Fieldwork-Tutoring. 1 - 3 Units
Prerequisite(s): Advanced level fluency and instructor permission.
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
Tutoring of lower division students in Mandarin or Cantonese. 3 hours of tutoring per week for each unit. May be taken for credit more than once.
Credit/No Credit
CHIN 199. Special Problems. 1 - 3 Units
Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
Individual projects or directed reading. Open only to students who appear competent to carry on independent study. Admission requires the approval of the instructor by whom the work is to be supervised.
Credit/No Credit