Chinese (BA)
The program in Chinese offers language classes in Mandarin Chinese at the first-, second-, third-, fourth-year and advanced levels and classical Chinese, as well as courses in English on classical and modern Chinese literature and culture. Qualified students also have the opportunity to attend East China Normal University in Shanghai; Peking University in Beijing, People’s Republic of China; and Fu Jen University in Taipei, Taiwan.
The Chinese program offers first and supplementary majors and a minor.
For the major, students must complete 30 credit hours, including third-year Chinese. 10xxx-level language courses and University seminars on China-related topics do not count toward the major.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Language Study: Second Year | 6 | |
| EALC 30311 | Third-Year Chinese I | 3 |
| EALC 30312 | Third-Year Chinese II | 3 |
At a minimum, completion of third-year Chinese or its equivalent. (Minimum 6 hours). Majors are strongly encouraged to achieve more advanced proficiency by completing fourth-year Chinese and/or advanced Chinese. Language Study: Minimum Completion of 3rd Year Chinese | ||
| Chinese Literature & Culture Courses | 9 | |
Three upper-division 3-credit courses taught by EALC faculty, including at least one literature course. | ||
| Asian Courses | 9 | |
Remaining credits may be completed by taking Chinese language courses beyond third-year level and regular 3-credit courses designated as LLEA at the 30000-level and above | ||
| Total Hours | 30 | |
In addition to the language course requirements, all majors must take three upper-division 3-credit courses in Chinese literature and Chinese culture taught by EALC faculty, including at least one literature course. Any exception must be approved by the Director of Undergraduate Studies. Remaining credit hours may be satisfied by taking additional Chinese language and culture courses, or other East Asia-related courses approved by the Director of Undergraduate Studies.
The Honors Track in Chinese
Majors in Chinese are strongly encouraged to pursue the honors track. Those who are interested must meet the following criteria:
- Fulfillment of all the requirements for a first major of 30 credit hours in Chinese;
- A cumulative GPA of at least 3.3 and a GPA of at least 3.7 in the major, or permission from the department chair;
- Completion of fourth-year Chinese.
Program Requirements: In addition to the 30 hours required for a major, the honors track requires the completion of a senior honors thesis that demonstrates the student’s originality and ability to do research in the target field. For this endeavor, the student will receive 3 hours of graded credit. This means to graduate with departmental honors, the student must earn 33 hours of credit in the major.
Students are admitted into the honors track in the spring semester of their junior year. The senior honors thesis is a year-long, one-on-one experience with a faculty mentor that comprises two semester courses of 3 credit hours each.