Chinese Major
Program Director: Minglang Zhou, Ph.D.
The 38-credit major in Chinese major (CHIN) prepares students to engage with the rich diversity of China and the Sinophone world through comprehensive studies in language, literature, media, and culture. The major provides students with extensive linguistic training in Mandarin Chinese with awareness and sensitivity to varieties of Chinese or dialects spoken in China and the Sinophone world. An interdisciplinary curriculum acquaints students with global perspectives on social issues, cultural trends, and forms of difference across Chinese societies and the Sinophone world. The program prepares students for a range of careers in fields like government, education, business, international development, communication, and the arts. Many undergraduates combine Chinese with a double major in another discipline, including arts and humanities majors, international relations, business, computer science, engineering, and journalism. Students have the option of applying to live in St. Mary’s Hall (Language House) and participating in a study abroad program.
Placement in Courses
For information about the World Language Placement, go to: http://arhu.umd.edu/academics/world-language-placement/.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Chinese proficiency: Chinese major students who complete four years of Chinese reach Intermediate High/Advanced in listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
- Linguistic diversity: Students will be able to describe linguistic and ethnic diversity in China and the Sinophone world, analyze the power structure in the relationship among languages in China, research a topic in depth through critical analysis at a level appropriate to a China specialist, and reflect on the global impact of China’s linguistic and ethnic diversity on Chinese American communities in the United State and beyond.
- Cultural diversity: Students will be able to demonstrate familiarity with the rich ethnic/racial, religious, and cultural diversity in China and the Sinophone world through close and critical reading skills of Chinese literature and media, and to reflect on or interrogate relationships between life, societies, cultures, gender, identity, race/ethnicity, and/or language and fictional/cinematic representations.
The Chinese major requires 38 credits: 17 credits in Language, 6 credits in History and Culture, 3 credits in Linguistics, 6 credits in Literature and Culture, and 6 credits of Electives, as described below.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Language Sequence Courses (17 Credits) 1 | ||
| CHIN206 | (Intermediate Chinese I) | 4 |
| CHIN207 | Intermediate Chinese II (Intermediate Chinese II) | 4 |
| CHIN301 | Advanced Chinese I | 3 |
| or CHIN305 | Life in China through TV Plays I | |
| CHIN302 | Advanced Chinese II | 3 |
| or CHIN306 | Life in China through TV Plays II | |
| CHIN401 | Readings in Modern Chinese I | 3 |
| Foundation Topics Courses: History and Culture (6 Credits) 3 | ||
| EALL284 | (East Asian Cultures I) | 3 |
| or HIST284 | East Asian Civilization I | |
| EALL285 | (East Asian Cultures II) | 3 |
| or HIST285 | East Asian Civilization II | |
| Foundation Topics Courses: Linguistics (3 Credits) | ||
| CHIN307 | Linguistic Landscape of China (Linguistics) | 3 |
| Foundation Topics Courses: Literature (6 Credits) | ||
| CHIN315 | Modern Chinese Literature in Translation | 3 |
| CHIN441 | Traditional Chinese Fiction | 3 |
| Electives (6 Credits) 2 | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 38 | |
- 1
Students with the appropriate WLP level and the approval of the Chinese Undergraduate Advisor may substitute CHIN207 (4 credits) with one 3-credit upper-level CHIN course and 1 credit of CHIN386 (Experiential learning) or CHIN499 (Directed study in Chinese).
- 2
Students will select 6 credits of Electives, of which at most 3 credits at 2xx level and at least 3 credits at 3xx level or above, subject to the Chinese Undergraduate Advisor's approval. Electives can include any 3xx or 4xx level courses offered under the CHIN prefix (e.g., CHIN331 Chinese Calligraphy: Theory and Practice; CHIN418 Special Topics in Contemporary Chinese Fiction and Film) as well as SLLC286 Living the Good Life: Chinese Philosophy in the Modern World. In addition to these courses, courses in China Studies taught in English, History, Government & Politics, and other Departments may substitute up to 12 credits of Electives as well as EALL284 and EALL285, with the approval of the Chinese Undergraduate Advisor. Language courses and independent study may also be used toward this requirement when approved.
- 3
Students can select to take HIST284 as an alternative to EALL284, and HIST285 as an alternative to EALL285. EALL284 and EALL285 will be offered when HIST284 and HIST285 are not offered.
"Special Topics" and "Colloquium" courses (those with variable numbers, ending in 8 or 9 and followed by a letter) may be acceptable depending on the actual title and content of the course at the time it is offered. The final determination is in the hands of the Chinese Program and the Chinese advisor.
At least 15 of the 38 credits for the major must be at the upper level (courses numbered 300 or above).
Students must earn a grade of "C-" or higher in each course applied toward a major or minor in the School of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures. Additionally, an overall GPA of 2.0 in a major or minor is required for graduation.
Click here for roadmaps for graduation plans in the College of Arts and Humanities.
Additional information on developing a graduation plan can be found on the following pages:
- http://4yearplans.umd.edu
- the Student Academic Success-Degree Completion Policy section of this catalog
Study Abroad
For information on study abroad programs see the program advisor and/or the Education Abroad website http://globalmaryland.umd.edu/offices/education-abroad/.