Chinese

  • Ursinus College offers a full, four-year curriculum in the Chinese language, along with courses on Chinese history, society, and culture. The Chinese language curriculum is designed to develop the five language skills: speaking, listening, reading, writing, and culture. Students of the Chinese language are encouraged to consider majoring or minoring in East Asian Studies and/or such departments as History and International Relations. Students may also pursue a student-initiated major that includes the study of Chinese. In all courses, students work with authentic materials and teaching assistants who are native speakers. Ursinus offers carefully selected study abroad opportunities for summer, semester, and full-year programs.

    Requirements for Chinese Language Minor

    A minor in Chinese consists of 20 semester hours, including CHN-211, 212, eight additional credits at the 300-level, and one of the following: HIST-152, 252, 254, 352, 354, 451W, or another non-language course on China as approved by the Modern Languages chair in consultation with Chinese-language faculty. 

    Requirements for Chinese Studies Minor

    A minor in Chinese Studies consists of 20 credits. Required of all minors are CHN-211, 212, and 335. The remaining credits can come from the following: HIST-152, 202, 252, 254, 352, 354, 451W or other China-related courses.

Courses

  • The Chinese language courses are designed to develop linguistic skills and an understanding of Chinese culture. The study of Chinese is recommended for students interested in majoring in East Asian Studies, International Relations, Business and Economics, and other disciplines. Students may also pursue a student-initiated major that includes the study of Chinese. In all courses, students work with computers, and authentic video, audio and written materials, as well as language assistants who are native speakers.

    CHN-101. Elementary Chinese I

    An introduction to the Chinese language. The course is designed to introduce the student to the basic rules of spoken and written Chinese while providing basic communicative skills. Four hours per week plus one hour of practice with the language assistant. Four semester hours. (L.)

    CHN-102. Elementary Chinese II

    Continuation of CHN-101. The focus is placed on situation-sensitive language use and the systematic introduction of basic grammar and sentence patterns, along with continued study of characters. Prerequisite: CHN-101 or equivalent. Four hours per week plus one hour of practice with the language assistant. Four semester hours. (L.)

    CHN-111. Advanced Elementary Chinese I

    Continued introduction of the fundamental structures of spoken and written Chinese. Development of interpersonal communication skills beyond the functional level. Prerequisite: CHN-102 or equivalent. Four hours per week plus one hour of practice with the language assistant. Four semester hours. (L.)

    CHN-112. Advanced Elementary Chinese II

    Continuation of CHN-111. Development of more sophisticated structures and patterns, moving towards conversational fluency. Continued study of reading and writing. Four hours per week plus one hour of practice with the language assistant. Four semester hours. (L.)

    CHN-211. Intermediate Chinese I

    Review of basic structures combined with further enhancement of oral and written communication skills. Continued expansion of knowledge of characters, plus development of ability to handle complicated situations. Prerequisite: CHN-112 or equivalent. Four hours per week plus one hour of practice with the language assistant. Four semester hours. (H, L.)

    CHN-212. Intermediate Chinese II

    Continuation of CHN-211. Completion of study of fundamentals of Chinese language. Development of ability to read and discuss authentic texts, and to handle a wide range of conversational situations. Prerequisite: CHN-211 or equivalent. Four hours per week plus one hour of practice with the language assistant. Four semester hours. (H, L.)

    CHN-311. Advanced Chinese I

    Study of complex linguistic structures in the context of the development of an analytical understanding of the Chinese language. Reading and viewing of advanced-level authentic materials in written and video texts, with an emphasis on a nuanced understanding and an ability to discuss and write about the texts in depth. Three hours per week plus one hour of practice with the language assistant. Prerequisite: CHN-212 or equivalent. Four semester hours. (H, L.)

    CHN-312. Advanced Chinese II

    Continuation of CHN-311. Upon completion of this course, students should have developed the resources to handle most conversational situations or modern texts. Three class hours per week plus one hour of practice with the language assistant. Four semester hours. (H, L.)

    CHN-328. Advanced Chinese Grammar

    In-depth study of Chinese phonetics, morphology and syntax with special emphasis on the problems related to the teaching of the language. Prerequisite: CHN-312 or permission of the instructor. Four hours per week. Four semester hours.

    CHN 335. Independent Study in Chinese

    Individual study of topics in Chinese linguistics, literature, society or culture. Prerequisite: CHN-312 and permission of the instructor. Two to four semester hours. (XLP, if 4 credits.)

    CHN-381. Internship

    An academic work/experience under the supervision of an internship adviser and an on-site supervisor. Students must document their experience according to the requirements delineated in the College catalogue section on Internships. Contact the chair of the department for further details. Open to juniors and seniors. The term during which the internship work is performed will be noted by one of the following letters, to be added immediately after the internship course number: A (fall), B (winter), C (spring), or D (summer). Internships undertaken abroad will be so indicated by the letter I. The intern must complete a minimum of 120 hours of work. Graded S/U. Prerequisites: four courses in Chinese and approval of a faculty internship adviser. Three semester hours. (XLP.)

    CHN-382. Internship

    An academic work/experience under the supervision of an internship adviser and an on-site supervisor. Students must document their experience according to the requirements delineated in the College catalogue section on Internships. Contact the chair of the department for further details. Open to juniors and seniors. The term during which the internship work is performed will be noted by one of the following letters, to be added immediately after the internship course number: A (fall), B (winter), C (spring), or D (summer). Internships undertaken abroad will be so indicated by the letter I. The intern must complete a minimum of 160 hours of work. Graded S/U. Prerequisites: four courses in Chinese and approval of a faculty internship adviser. Four semester hours. (XLP.)

    CHN-491. Research/Independent Work

    This course is open to candidates for departmental honors and to other students with the permission of the department chair. This course does not satisfy the College requirement of a capstone experience. Four semester hours. (XLP.)

    CHN-492W. Research/Independent Work

    A continuation of CHN-491. This is a writing intensive course and at least one formal oral presentation is required. This course satisfies the College requirement of a capstone experience. Prerequisites: CHN-491 and permission of the department chair. MCS-201 is strongly recommended. Four semester hours. (XLP.)

  • Modern Languages

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