Requirements
Overview
The Chinese program offers a major and minor in Chinese. Both degrees combine extensive language training with in-depth study of Chinese literature, culture, and society. Expertise in Chinese studies prepares students for international careers in scholarship, diplomacy, banking, business, law, education, journalism, public health, medicine, and other China-related fields. In view of the growing economic, political, and cultural significance of Chinese societies worldwide, the need for people with advanced Chinese language skills and a sophisticated understanding of Chinese culture will increase dramatically. Studying Chinese better prepares students for the challenges and opportunities of the twenty-first century. Our student-centered curriculum offers four years of modern Mandarin Chinese, an introduction to classical Chinese, and a wide range of interdisciplinary courses on Chinese literature, culture, society, and thought. Chinese language instruction aims at integrating listening comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing skills in order to help learners communicate meaningfully, effectively, and creatively in Chinese. A special track is designed for heritage speakers of Modern Standard Chinese. Our language courses are integrated with Emory College's Language Center and may be taken to fulfill Emory's General Education Requirement. In addition to elementary and advanced language training, the Chinese Program offers students a solid foundation in Chinese studies. Courses taught by the Chinese faculty include surveys of literature in early, imperial and modern China as well as introductions to traditional and modern Chinese culture, religion, and philosophy. More specialized classes explore diverse issues in contemporary Chinese film, women's studies, linguistics, and historiography. Students are encouraged to take advantage of related offerings in other programs and departments such as comparative literature, history, music, political science, and religion. In-country experience is an indispensable part of studies in Chinese. Students are strongly urged to participate in one of our study abroad programs in Mainland China or in Taiwan. For up-to-date information about the Chinese major, minor, and study abroad, contact the department office at 404.727.6427 or visit our web pages at http://realc.emory.edu/chinese/.
Major requirements: 36 credits (above CHN 201) and satisfactory passage of the department's proficiency exam in Chinese. No course for the major may be taken S/U. Students must receive at least a C in each course taken for the major.
Language Courses (20 hours above CHN 201)
Students majoring in Chinese are required to complete twenty hours of language training above 201 up to the 400 level.
Students may choose one of two tracks to fulfill the language requirements. The regular track (CHN 101 through 402), is designed for students who do not have any background or only have had a very little experience in Chinese.
The alternative track (CHN 103, 203, 303, 404), is designed for students whose Chinese oral proficiency is close to that of Chinese native speakers, but who have little or no reading and writing skills in Chinese.
Students who are placed beyond 202 will take higher-level courses in Chinese language, literature, or cultural studies to complete the equivalent number of credit hours for the major. Students interested in learning Classical Chinese are encouraged to take CHN 403 in their junior year (parallel to CHN 301 or CHN 302).
Students with no background in Chinese before entering the program are strongly urged to participate in study abroad to prepare for rigorous training at the 400 level. Students who study in China or Taiwan automatically fulfill the required Chinese language course for the semester they are abroad. Note that no course taken abroad can be counted to fulfill the College's writing requirements.
Literature and Cultural Studies (16 hours)
A. Category I (Core Courses)
All courses in Category I fulfill the Chinese major requirements. Students majoring in Chinese must complete at least two courses (8 credits) in this category:
CHN 271WR Modern China in Film and Fiction
CHN 272WR Literature in Early and Imperial China
CHN 273 Heritage of China
CHN 360WR Chinese Women in Film and Fiction
CHN 373WR Confucian Classics
CHN 376WR Science in China, 1600-1900
CHN 394SWR Screening China
CHN 471WR Tradition in Modern China
B. Category II (Electives)
In addition to the courses in Category I, up to eight credits from courses in Chinese language, literature, thought, linguistics, history, political science, film, music, or religion may be counted as electives towards the major. Up to four credits may be fulfilled through courses offered outside REALC. No more than one lecture course from non-Emory administered study-abroad programs or CHN 496 (Language Internship) may be counted as electives towards the major. New courses are added regularly. Please contact the department for current list.
CHN 230WR Description and Analysis of the Chinese Language
CHN 235WR: Chinese Writing Systems in Asia
CHN 274WR Foreigners in Imperial China
CHN 359WR Chinese Women and Religion
CHN 375 Special Topics in Chinese Studies
CHN 376WR Science in China:1600-1900
HIST/POL 385 US China Relations
CHN 495A Honors Chinese Seminar
CHN 495B/WR Honors Thesis
CHN 496 Chinese Language Internship
CHN 315F Study Abroad (Lecture course)
HIST 373 History of Modern China
MUS 372WR Chinese Music and Culture
REL 210 Classic Religious Texts: Taoism
REL 255 Chinese Buddhism