CHINESE STUDIES

Chinese Studies Major | Chinese Studies Minor | Faculty

The Chinese Studies program offers students a diverse curriculum centered on Chinese language, literature and culture. Its language courses provide a solid foundation in Chinese linguistic and cultural fluency through an emphasis on four skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing, while courses taught in English explore both ancient and modern Chinese literary and visual culture, and acquaint students with traditional, modern and contemporary Chinese cultural, social and historical phenomena. In addition, the major in Asian and Asian American Studies offers a Chinese Studies track (Note: This track will no longer be available beginning in the fall of 2011).

Chinese Studies Major

Language Requirements

Students are required to successfully complete the following four language courses: Chin 203 Intermediate Chinese I; Chin 204 Intermediate Chinese II; Chin 305 Advanced Chinese I; Chin 306 Advanced Chinese II. (Note: CHIN 101 Elementary Chinese I and CHIN 102 Elementary Chinese II provide the basic linguistic knowledge and skills required to begin the major but do not count towards the major). After consultation and proficiency test assessment administered by Chinese Program faculty, students who already demonstrate competence in Mandarin at any of the required levels may waive part or all of the language requirements. Waived Chinese language courses will not count toward the major and must be replaced with other Chinese Studies courses to bring the total number of courses (excluding the Majors Seminar), up to ten.

Elective Courses

Students choose five of the courses listed below (or other approved Chinese Studies courses as they become available). Students are also required to successfully complete one course designated as Asian American and Diasporic studies.

CHIN 202 Singing Chinese
CHIN 350 Business Chinese
CHIN 351 Chinese Business Culture
CHIN 395 Internship
CHIN 471 Classical Chinese
AAAS 230 Contemporary Chinese Cinema
AAAS 241 Classical Chinese Literature in Translation
AAAS 273 Chinese Civilization
AAAS 272 Island Culture: Taiwan Film and Fiction
AAAS 274 Modern China
AAAS 317 The Economy of China
AAAS 341 China and the West
AAAS 352 20th-Century Chinese Literature in Translation
AAAS 374 Modern China
AAAS 461 Li Bai and Du Fu
AAAS 462 Confucius Analects
AAAS 472 Chinese Women and the Family

DAAAS Majors Seminar

In addition:

At least six of the eleven required courses must be at the 300 or 400 level.
At least six courses must be taken at Binghamton University.
No more than one course may be an independent study.
No more than one course may be taken Pass/Fail.
Although the department considers D a passing grade, a grade of C or better is necessary for a course to count toward the major

Chinese Studies Minor

The minor in Chinese Studies consists of six Chinese Studies courses at the 200 level or above.

Language Requirements: Students must demonstrate proficiency in Mandarin equivalent to or higher than CHIN 305. They may do this by completing any Chinese language course at the 300-level or above (300- and 400-level Chinese language courses are preceded by an asterisk [*] below). (The first year 100-level language sequence is composed of introductory language courses that provide students with the basic linguistic skills necessary to begin the minor.)
Chinese Studies Courses, at least two of which must be at the 300 level or above: CHIN 202 (Singing Chinese), CHIN 203 (Intermediate Chinese I), CHIN 204 (Intermediate Chinese II), AAAS 230 (Contemporary Chinese Cinemas), AAAS 273 (Chinese Civilization), AAAS 274 (Modern China), CHIN 305 (Advanced Chinese I), *CHIN 306 (Advanced Chinese II), *CHIN 350 (Business Chinese), *CHIN 351 (Chinese Business Culture), *CHIN 395 (Internship), AAAS 341 (China and the West), AAAS 352 (20th Century Chinese Literature in Translation), *AAAS 461 (Li Bai and Du Fu), *AAAS 462 (Confucius Analects), *AAAS 471 (Classical Chinese), AAAS 472 (Chinese Women and the Family) and other approved Chinese Studies courses as they become available.

Students who already have competence in Mandarin may, after assessment by Chinese Studies faculty, waive part or all of the proficiency in Chinese language requirements, based on the results of their proficiency testing. They may then enroll in higher-level language courses and/or other Chinese Studies courses to bring the total up to six courses. Waived language courses will not count toward the minor.

In addition:

Only one course may be taken as an independent study.
Only one course may be taken Pass/Fail.
At least four courses must be taken at Binghamton University.
Although the department considers D as a passing grade, a grade of C or better is necessary for a course to count toward the minor.