Chinese (CHIN)
Chinese is part of the Department of Modern Languages, Literatures, and Cultures. Chinese offers both a major and minor. For the major, students can choose to complete either the Chinese Culture Track or Chinese Language Track. The minor in Chinese Studies offers an interdisciplinary approach that provides students the opportunity to take courses from a diverse set of departments.
Special Considerations
Students who directly enroll in and complete a 300- level Chinese language course with a grade of 'C' or higher may be awarded credit for CHIN 201 and 202 courses provided they have not previously earned any lower division credit in that particular language.
Students who earned/received credit for a higher level Chinese language course may not take or repeat a course at a lower level and receive credit for that course.
In order to earn a major in Chinese, students must complete the required courses, either the Culture Track or the Language Track, and the study abroad requirement. The Chinese Major, Culture Track requires 31 credit hours while the Chinese Major, Language Track requires 33 credit hours. Students who complete CHIN 101 Beginning Active Chinese and CHIN 102 Beginning Active Chinese as first-year students are strongly encouraged to pursue the Language Track.
Students majoring in Chinese are required to complete a semester of study abroad in a country where the Chinese language is spoken, taking a majority of courses in Chinese in a program approved by the Coordinator. In rare instances, exceptions to this policy may be granted at the discretion of the faculty of the program through a waiver process administered by the Coordinator of the Chinese program.
Requirements for the Chinese Major, Culture Track
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Major Courses | 25 | |
| Low Intermediate Chinese | ||
| Low Intermediate Chinese | ||
| High Intermediate Chinese 1 | ||
| Low Advanced Chinese | ||
| Chinese Culture Through Film | ||
| Intercultural Communication Between East and West | ||
| Modern China | ||
| Electives 2 | 6 | |
| Select 6 credit hours from the following: | ||
| Cultures of Southeast Asia and Oceania | ||
| Survey of Asian Art History | ||
| Art of China | ||
| Chinese Literature in Translation | ||
| Independent Study | ||
| Advanced Topics in Chinese | ||
| Modern East Asia | ||
| Chinese Politics | ||
| Asian Philosophy | ||
| Chinese Philosophy | ||
| Buddhist Philosophy | ||
| Introduction to Confucianism | ||
| Spirituality & Traditional Chinese Medicine | ||
| Buddhist Religious Traditions | ||
| Semester of Study Abroad | ||
| Total Hours | 31 | |
Requirements for the Major in Chinese, Language Track
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Major Courses | 24 | |
| Low Intermediate Chinese | ||
| Low Intermediate Chinese | ||
| High Intermediate Chinese 1 | ||
| Low Advanced Chinese | ||
| Advanced Chinese I | ||
| Advanced Chinese II | ||
| Culture Electives 2 | 9 | |
| Select 9 credit hours from the following: | ||
| Cultures of Southeast Asia and Oceania | ||
| Survey of Asian Art History | ||
| Art of China | ||
| Chinese Culture Through Film | ||
| Intercultural Communication Between East and West | ||
| Modern China | ||
| Chinese Literature in Translation | ||
| Independent Study | ||
| Advanced Topics in Chinese | ||
| Modern East Asia | ||
| Chinese Politics | ||
| Asian Philosophy | ||
| Chinese Philosophy | ||
| Buddhist Philosophy | ||
| Introduction to Confucianism | ||
| Spirituality & Traditional Chinese Medicine | ||
| Buddhist Religious Traditions | ||
| Semester of Study Abroad | ||
| Total Hours | 33 | |
- 1
Students must earn a grade of 'C' or higher in order to continue in the major.
- 2
Or other course, as approved by the Coordinator of the Chinese Program, where the principal focus is Chinese or East Asian culture, history, religion, politics, philosophy, art history, etc.
Requirements for Minor in Chinese Studies
The Minor in Chinese Studies consists of 17 credit hours. Students are encouraged to complete a semester of study abroad in China. Students minoring in Chinese Studies may NOT also pursue the program in Asian Studies.
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | 8 | |
| Low Intermediate Chinese | ||
| Low Intermediate Chinese | ||
| Approved Electives (select nine hours) 1 | 9 | |
| Cultures of Southeast Asia and Oceania | ||
| Survey of Asian Art History | ||
| Art of China | ||
| Chinese Culture Through Film | ||
| Intercultural Communication Between East and West | ||
| Modern China | ||
| Chinese Literature in Translation | ||
| Modern East Asia | ||
| Chinese Politics | ||
| Asian Philosophy | ||
| Chinese Philosophy | ||
| Buddhist Philosophy | ||
| Introduction to Confucianism | ||
| Spirituality & Traditional Chinese Medicine | ||
| Buddhist Religious Traditions | ||
| Total Hours | 17 | |
- 1
Or other course, as approved by the Coordinator of the Chinese Program, where the principal focus is Chinese or East Asian culture, history, religion, politics, philosophy, art history, etc.
CHIN 101. Beginning Active Chinese. 4 Hours.
Students will 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.
CHIN 102. Beginning Active Chinese. 4 Hours.
Students will continue to develop good pronunciation in speaking Mandarin Chinese (putonghua or guoyu). This includes the exchange information in simple but accurate Chinese (greetings, personal introductions, personal daily activities), to have a good command of some basic radicals as well as commonly used Chinese characters.
CHIN 201. Low Intermediate Chinese. 4 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. 4 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 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 102 with a minimum grade of C-.
CHIN 250. Travel Seminar: The China Experience. 3 Hours.
An up-close examination of Chinese culture through travel to selected regions in China. Topics will vary by location and by theme, but may include architecture, arts, city planning and development, geography, history, religion, social practices, and technology advancement. Students will study the most up-to-date information about the selected regions before they visit them. Upon return, students will present what they have learned, and reflect on the similarities and differences between Chinese culture and their own culture.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.