Courses of Study
Sections
Chinese
Last updated: August 14, 2014 at 4:29 p.m.
The degree of Master of Arts in Teaching Chinese is offered to provide teachers and students with the knowledge and training to become teachers of the Chinese language in all educational frameworks that teach Chinese. This program emphasizes the different areas that any Chinese teacher should master to teach in a variety of frameworks. These include the theoretical knowledge of learning and teaching Chinese, as well as hands-on experience in teaching.
For the undergraduate study of Chinese, please see the course listings in the Courses of Instruction below.
The general requirements for admission to the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences apply to candidates for admission to this program.
In addition, applicants must have achieved at advanced level in Chinese language, which is defined as the ability to function successfully and effectively in most formal and informal settings, with ease and accuracy. This ability must be reflected in the four skills of reading, writing, speaking, and listening comprehension.
Applicants must present two letters of recommendation and a statement of purpose and must be interviewed by the director of the program.
Program of Study
A total of eight courses are required for the program. Five courses are mandatory. These are CHIN 140a (Yin Yu Tang Documents, Decoding the Late Qing and Early Republic Writings (I), CHIN 201a ( Chinese Pedagogy I), CHIN 202b (Chinese Pedagogy II), CHIN 211a (Chinese Practicum I), and CHIN 212b (Chinese Practicum II).
Additionally, students must take two out of the following three courses: CHIN 100a (Introduction to Chinese Literature: Desire and Form), CHIN 130b (China on Film: The Changes of Chinese Culture), or HIST 80a (Introduction to East Asian Civilization).
All students will choose one one additional elective course on a topic related to China or Education as approved by the Chinese Language Program Director.
Residence Requirement
The minimum residence requirement is one year.
For the degree of Master of Arts in Teaching Secondary Education with a concentration in Chinese, please see Education for more information.
Courses of Instruction
(1-99) Primarily for Undergraduate Students
CHIN
10a
Beginning Chinese I
Four class hours per week.
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. Four class hours per week.
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 or continue to the next level. Usually offered every spring.
Staff
CHIN
30a
Intermediate Chinese
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Prerequisite: CHIN 20b or equivalent. Four class hours per week.
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
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Prerequisite: CHIN 30a or equivalent. Four class hours per week.
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
100a
Introduction to Chinese Literature: Desire and Form
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Introduces Chinese literature, focusing primarily on Chinese "classical" literary traditions and their metamorphosis in modern times. Usually offered every second year.
Mr. Wang
CHIN
105a
Advanced Conversation and Composition I
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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
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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
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Prerequisite: CHIN 40b or equivalent.
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
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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
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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
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Taught in English. 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
136b
Chinese Modernism in International Context
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Taught in English.
Examines the origins, recurrences, and metamorphosis of modernistic styles and movements in twentieth-century Chinese literature, film, fine art, and intellectual discourses. Usually offered every second year.
Mr. Wang
CHIN
140a
Yin Yu Tang Documents, Decoding the Late Qing and Early Republic Writings (I)
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Prerequisites: CHIN 120a and 120b, or permission of the instructor.
Teaches fundamental skills to decode the late Qing and early Republic writings in print or in hand-writing by recognizing and translating the Yin Yu Tang documents. Students of this course will also gain knowledge of Chinese society and culture of this period. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Feng
(200 and above) Primarily for Graduate Students
CHIN
200a
Practical Chinese Phonetics, Lexics, Syntax, and Pragmatics
Prerequisite: Fluency in Chinese and ability to read Chinese books and articles. Required of all students in MAT Chinese.
Focuses on the fundamental characteristics of modern Chinese language with emphasis on pronunciation and grammar structure. Usually offered every year.
Staff
CHIN
201a
Chinese Pedagogy I
Required of all students in MAT Chinese and MATCC.
Equips students with the most advanced and updated skills in teaching modern Chinese with an emphasis on beginning and intermediate levels. This course covers a great range of topics to ensure efficient and successful instruction. Usually offered every year.
Staff
CHIN
202b
Chinese Pedagogy II
Prerequisite: CHIN 201a. Required of MATCC students.
Continuation of CHIN 201a. Emphasizes the instruction of advanced Chinese. Two important sets of theories and practice will be introduced and discussed, the Four Subsystem Theory and Prosodic Theory. Task-based teaching on an advanced level, contents-centered textbook, and correction of advanced composition will also be discussed. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Feng
CHIN
211a
Chinese Practicum I
Corequisite: CHIN 201a. Enrollment limited to MATCC students.
Students design course plans, additional reading, visual and audio materials, assignments, etc to teach the lecture and drill sessions of beginning Chinese. Class observation and student feedback are components of this class. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Feng
CHIN
212b
Chinese Practicum II
Corequisite: CHIN 202b. Enrollment limited to MATCC students.
Students design course plans, additional reading, visual and audio materials, assignments, etc to teach the lecture and drill sessions of advanced Chinese. Class observation and student feedback are components of this class. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Feng