A foundation course for communicative skills in modern Chinese (Mandarin). Three hours of class per week and individual tutorials by the instructor. Introduction to the sound system, essential grammar, basic vocabulary, and approximately 350 characters (simplified version). Develops rudimentary communicative skills. No prerequisite. Followed by Chinese 1102.

Previous terms offered: Fall 2023, Fall 2022, Fall 2021, Fall 2020.

A continuation of Chinese 1101. Five hours of class per week. Covers most of the essential grammatical structures and vocabulary for basic survival needs and simple daily routine conversations. Introduction to the next 350 characters (simplified version), use of Chinese-English dictionary. Followed by Chinese 2203.

Prerequisites: CHIN 1101 or Placement in CHIN 1102.

Previous terms offered: Spring 2024, Spring 2023, Spring 2022, Spring 2021.

An accelerated course for elementary Chinese designed for heritage speakers and for students who have had some background in Chinese language. Emphasis on improvement of pronunciation, consolidation of basic Chinese grammar, vocabulary enhancement, reading comprehension, and writing. Three hours of class per week and individual tutorials. Followed by Chinese 1104. Students should consult with the program about appropriate placement.

Previous terms offered: Fall 2023, Fall 2022, Fall 2021, Fall 2020.

A continuation of Chinese 1103. Three hours of class per week and individual tutorials. An all-around upgrade of communicative skills with an emphasis on accuracy and fluency. Covers more than 1,000 Chinese characters together with Chinese 1103. Propels those with sufficient competence directly to Advanced-Intermediate Chinese [2205 and 2206] after a year of intensive training while prepares others to move up to intermediate (second-year) Chinese language course. Followed by Chinese 2203 or 2205 with instructor’s approval.

Prerequisites: CHIN 1103.

Previous terms offered: Spring 2024, Spring 2023, Spring 2022, Spring 2021.

Chinese calligraphy, painting, and poetry are classically defined as the three perfections (三绝). This class takes students into an art world where brush and ink are the quintessential materials of creation. Includes practice as well as understanding and appreciation of the art. The class begins with an introduction to the basic knowledge and forms of calligraphy through the weekly practice of essential strokes and different styles. We then move to the subject of how to integrate painting and poetry in the form of calligraphy. Each week our study of a masterwork will illuminate the “poetry in the painting and the painting in the poetry.” Immersive learning in the art of calligraphy can lead to its practice as a form of self-cultivation and self-expression. For a final project, an exhibition of calligraphy, painting, and poetry will highlight students’ works and achievements. No prerequisite of Chinese language and calligraphy.

Previous terms offered: Spring 2024.

An intermediate course in modern Chinese. Three hours of class per week and individual tutorials by the instructor. Consolidates and expands the knowledge of grammar and vocabulary, with 400 additional characters. Further improves students’ Chinese proficiency with a focus on accuracy, fluency, and complexity. Followed by Chinese 2204.

Prerequisites: CHIN 1102 or CHIN 1104 or Placement in CHIN 2203.

Previous terms offered: Fall 2023, Fall 2022, Fall 2021, Fall 2020.

A continuation of Chinese 2203. Five hours of class per week. Further develops students’ communicative competence and strives to achieve a balance between the receptive and productive skills. Students learn another 400 characters; read longer, more complex texts; and write short compositions with increasing discourse cohesion. Followed by Chinese 2205.

Prerequisites: CHIN 2203.

Previous terms offered: Spring 2024, Spring 2023, Spring 2022, Spring 2021.

A pre-advanced course in modern Chinese. Three hours of class per week. Upgrades students’ linguistic skills and cultural knowledge to explore edited or semi-authentic materials. Followed by Chinese 2206.

Prerequisites: CHIN 2204 or Placement in CHIN 2205.

Previous terms offered: Fall 2023, Fall 2022, Fall 2021, Fall 2020.

A continuation of Chinese 2205. Three hours of class per week. Further enhances students’ ability in the three modes of communication: interpretive, interpersonal, and presentative. Focuses on the improvement of reading comprehension and speed, and essay writing skills of expositive and argumentative essays. Deals particularly with edited and/or authentic materials from Chinese mass media such as newspapers and the Internet. Followed by Chinese 3307.

Prerequisites: CHIN 2205.

Previous terms offered: Spring 2024, Spring 2023, Spring 2022, Spring 2021.

An advanced course in modern Chinese. Three hours of class per week. Designed to develop mastery of the spoken and written language. Emphasis given to reading and writing, with focus on accuracy, complexity, and fluency in oral as well as written expression. Assigned work includes written composition and oral presentations. Repeatable when contents are different.

Prerequisites: CHIN 2206 or Placement in CHIN 3307.

Previous terms offered: Fall 2023, Fall 2022, Fall 2021, Fall 2020.

Advanced seminars in Chinese offer students the opportunity to study a disciplinary subject with Chinese as the language of instruction. Investigates pressing social issues in contemporary China such as air pollution, food contamination, left-behind children, leftover women, rural migrants, and more. Students broaden their understanding of social-cultural reality through primary and secondary sources in the target language. Discussion participation and short but formal essay compositions are regular in and out of class activities. Satisfies the minor requirement in Chinese and the major in Asian studies.

Prerequisites: CHIN 2206.

Previous terms offered: Spring 2022.

An introduction to modern and contemporary Chinese literature. Provides students with an overview of Chinese literature since 1919. Examines the changes of China and Chinese language over the past one hundred years against sociocultural contexts. Selected works include but are not limited to fiction, poetry, drama, and prose. Authors may include Lu Xun, Eileen Chang, Xu Zhimo, Xiao Hong, Lao She, Cao Yu, Fang Fang, and Mo Yan. All readings, discussions, and assignments in Chinese. Equivalent of Chinese 3307 is recommended.

Prerequisites: CHIN 3307.

Previous terms offered: Spring 2023, Spring 2021.