This is an archived copy of the 2015-2016 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.wofford.edu.

Chinese (CHIN)

CHIN 101. Beginning Active Chinese. 5 Hours.

These beginning level Chinese courses are intended to enable students to develop good pronunciation in speaking Mandarin Chinese (putonghua or guoyu), to exchange information in simple but accurate Chinese on some basic topics (greetings, personal introductions, personal daily activities), to have a good command of some basic radicals as well as some commonly used Chinese characters. Also, Beginning Active Chinese hopes to cultivate students' interest in Chinese language and culture and lay a solid foundation for further study in Chinese.


CHIN 102. Beginning Active Chinese. 5 Hours.

These beginning level Chinese courses are intended to enable students to develop good pronunciation in speaking Mandarin Chinese (putonghua or guoyu), to exchange information in simple but accurate Chinese on some basic topics (greetings, personal introductions, personal daily activities), to have a good command of some basic radicals as well as some commonly used Chinese characters. Also, Beginning Active Chinese hopes to cultivate students' interest in Chinese language and culture and lay a solid foundation for further study in Chinese.


CHIN 201. Low Intermediate Chinese. 5 Hours.

The intermediate level Chinese courses are to enhance command of the basic structures and vocabulary, to increase ability to communicate in Chinese both in speaking and writing, and to further develop interest in the Chinese language and culture.

Prerequisite: CHIN 102 with a minimum grade of C-.


CHIN 202. Low Intermediate Chinese. 5 Hours.

The intermediate level Chinese courses are to enhance command of the basic structures and vocabulary, to increase ability to communicate in Chinese both in speaking and writing, and to further develop interest in the Chinese language and culture. Hopefully, cultivating students' interest in Chinese language and culture and lay a solid foundation for further study in Chinese.

Prerequisite: CHIN 201 with a minimum grade of C-.


CHIN 241. Language & Culture I. 1 Hour.

Students may use appropriate programming available via the Wofford Cable Network as a language and culture classroom, electing the amount of viewing time they wish to undertake in a given semester: three viewing hours per week. Students meet with a faculty member for a weekly individual consultation, at which time they deliver a written summary of their viewing experiences. The courses may be repeated up to a maximum of four semester hours.

Prerequisite: CHIN 201 with a minimum grade of C-.


CHIN 280. Selected Topics in Chinese. 1 to 4 Hours.

The study of selected topics at the introductory or intermediate level in Chinese culture. Conducted in English; open to all students. Successful completion of this course satisfies the Cultures and Peoples requirement for graduation.


CHIN 301. High Intermediate Chinese. 4 Hours.

High Intermediate Chinese encourages students to increase their sophistication in reading and writing in Chinese in more formal styles. The course is conducted primarily in Chinese. Study materials include texts, web sources, and Chinese language television.

Prerequisite: CHIN 202 with a minimum grade of C-.


CHIN 302. Low Advanced Chinese. 4 Hours.

Low Advanced Chinese encourages students to continue to increase their sophistication in reading and writing in Chinese in more formal styles. The course is conducted primarily in Chinese. Study materials include texts, web sources, and Chinese language television.

Prerequisite: CHIN 301 with a minimum grade of C.


CHIN 304. Chinese Culture Through Film. 3 Hours.

Through careful study of cinematic text as mirror, students will learn to identify, understand, and analyze historical, social, political, and economic issues that have shaped China from its imperial period and into the 21st century. Topics include the family and tradition, the individual and society, past and present, man and nature, the change of cultural and social values, and woman's evolving role in society. All films have English subtitles. Successful completion of this course satisfies the Cultures & Peoples requirement for graduation.


CHIN 306. Intercultural Communication Between East and West. 3 Hours.

This course intends to help students understand the basic concepts and ideologies of the three major religions and philosophies in South East Asia, particularly in China, i.e. Confucianism, Daoism and Chinese Buddhism. Students will explore the close ties between these religions and philosophies as reflected in language and communication styles, and begin to understand different concepts of the 'self' (independent and relational) and 'face' in collectivism and individualism. Students will learn to anticipate, analyze and explain some of the causes of misunderstanding or miscommunication among the peoples from the West and East. Successful completion of this course satisfies the Cultures and Peoples requirement for graduation.


CHIN 307. Modern China. 3 Hours.

This course is intended to help students understand China's evolution from its imperial past into a modern present by examining the impact of the Opium War and other popular revolts of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the social and cultural conflicts between western civilization and traditional Confucianism after 1911, and the rise of diverse political movements after the creation of the People's Republic of China in 1949. Successful completion of this course satisfies the Cultures and Peoples requirement for graduation.


CHIN 401. Advanced Chinese I. 4 Hours.

In this course, students will increase their sophistication in reading and writing in Chinese in more formal styles. The course will be conducted primarily in Chinese. Study materials include texts, web sources, and television. Students will learn basic techniques of written translation. Successful completion of this course satisfies the Cultures and Peoples requirement for graduation.

Prerequisite: CHIN 302 with a minimum grade of C.


CHIN 402. Advanced Chinese II. 4 Hours.

In this course, students will increase their sophistication in reading and writing in Chinese in more formal styles. The course will be conducted primarily in Chinese. Study materials include texts, web sources, and television. Students will learn basic techniques of written translation.

Prerequisite: CHIN 401 with a minimum grade of C.


CHIN 412. Chinese Literature in Translation. 3 Hours.

Students will read and learn to analyze from a cross-cultural perspective selected masterpieces of Chinese prose, poetry, and drama. Students will learn to appreciate the literary value of the selected works and to understand the historical, social, and cultural contexts of these works. The course is conducted in English and the focus of the course may vary (e.g. a particular period, a genre, or special topics) each time it is offered. Successful completion of this course satisfies the Cultures and Peoples requirement for graduation.


CHIN 470. Independent Study. 1 to 4 Hours.

A course in which the student pursues independently, under the guidance of a member of the department, a specific topic of interest. Permission of instructor required.


CHIN 480. Advanced Topics in Chinese. 1 to 4 Hours.

The study of selected topics at the advance level in Chinese culture. Conducted primarily in Chinese.