Sections

Chinese

Last updated: July 14, 2011 at 3:46 p.m.

Faculty

Yu Feng
(German, Russian, and Asian Languages and Literature)

Xiwen Lu
(German, Russian, and Asian Languages and Literature)

Courses of Instruction

(1-99) Primarily for Undergraduate Students

CHIN 10a Beginning Chinese I
Mandarin is taught in this intensive course, intended for students with no previous knowledge of Chinese. Class meets four days per week plus one section of individual conversation. It offers training in basic Chinese grammar, speaking, aural comprehension, reading and writing. Chinese characters, and the "pinyin" phonetic system as a tool for learning Chinese. Usually offered every fall.
Mr. Feng

CHIN 20b Continuing Chinese
Prerequisite: CHIN 10a.
Continuation of CHIN 10a. Usually offered every spring.
Staff

CHIN 29b Pathways for Chinese Literacy
For students who have significant bilingual background in Mandarin Chinese or a non-Mandarin dialect (e.g., Cantonese). Emphasizes reading and writing skills, but standard Mandarin pronunciation and grammatical structure are also stressed. Students who successfully complete this course can take an exemption test to fulfill the foreign language requirement. Usually offered every fall.
Staff

CHIN 30a Intermediate Chinese
[ fl ]
Prerequisite: CHIN 20b or equivalent.
Development of skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing, including the writing of short essays. Usually offered every fall.
Staff

CHIN 40b Advanced Intermediate Chinese
[ fl hum ]
Prerequisite: CHIN 30a or equivalent
Continuation of CHIN 30a. Usually offered every spring.
Staff

CHIN 98a Readings in Modern Chinese
Prerequisite: CHIN 40b or equivalent.
A continuation of CHIN 40b. Includes an introduction to readings in modern Chinese literature. Usually offered every year.
Staff

CHIN 98b Readings in Modern Chinese
Prerequisite: CHIN 40b or equivalent.
A continuation of CHIN 98a. Usually offered every year.
Staff

(100-199) For Both Undergraduate and Graduate Students

CHIN 105a Advanced Conversation and Composition I
[ fl hum wi ]
Prerequisite: A grade of C- or higher in CHIN 40b or the equivalent.
Designed for advanced students who wish to enhance and improve their skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing through listening and reading authentic or slightly modified materials, discussing and writing on various topics of Chinese society and culture. Usually offered every fall.
Staff

CHIN 105b Advanced Conversation and Composition II
[ fl hum wi ]
Prerequisite: A grade of C- or higher in CHIN 105a or the equivalent.
Designed for advanced students who wish to enhance and improve their speaking proficiency and writing skills. Speaking skills will be developed through guided conversation, discussion of texts and films, and oral presentation. Exercises and essays will be used to improve students' writing skills. Usually offered every spring.
Staff

CHIN 106b Business Chinese and Culture
[ fl hum ]
Prerequisite: CHIN 40b or equivalent. This is an experiential learning course.
An advanced Chinese course where students develop their language proficiency and cultural knowledge in professional settings such as the workplace. The course is conducted entirely in Chinese and is designed for students who want to sharpen their language skills and reach a higher level of proficiency in which they are able to read newspapers, magazines, or professional documents, as well as to improve their communicative ability and enhance their self-confidence in Chinese workplaces. Usually offered every second spring.
Staff

CHIN 120a Readings in Contemporary Chinese Literature: Advanced Chinese Language
[ fl hum wi ]
Prerequisite: CHIN 105a or equivalent.
For advanced students of Chinese, an introduction to contemporary Chinese short stories from the 1990s and later. Focuses on significant expansion of vocabulary and grammar, and on providing students an opportunity to develop and polish both oral and written skills through class discussion, presentations, and writing assignments. Usually offered every fall.
Staff

CHIN 120b Readings in Contemporary Chinese Literature: Advanced Chinese Language II
[ fl hum wi ]
Prerequisite: CHIN 120a or equivalent.
Continuation of CHIN 120a. Study of contemporary Chinese short stories from the 1990s and later. These stories not only represent new literary themes and linguistic expressions, but also reflect the modernization, commercialization, and urbanization that is transforming China. The course improves students' knowledge of the language, as well as enhancing their understanding of Chinese society and culture. Usually offered every spring.
Staff

CHIN 130b China on Film: The Changes of Chinese Culture
[ hum nw ]
Open to all students. Conducted in English and all films viewed have English subtitles.
Focuses on the enormous changes under way in Chinese society, politics, and culture. Helps students to identify and understand these fundamental transformations through a representative, exciting selection of readings and films. Usually offered every second spring.
Staff

CHIN 135a Ming Dynasty Literary Culture
[ hum ]
Introduces students to a cross-section of the literature of the late Ming dynasty in English translation, supplemented by critical appraisals of their work by both contemporary literati and modern theorists. Special one-time offering, fall 2010.
Mr. Akin