CURRICULUM GUIDE 41 projects to improve your written and speaking skills. The class will be conducted mostly in Chinese, with Chinese films and written cultural material increasingly incorporated into the curriculum.
CHI 501 Chinese V One credit. Prerequisite: CHI 411 or equivalent. Placement based on screening process.
CHI 321 Honors Chinese III One credit. Prerequisite: CHI 211, CHI 221, or equivalent. Placement based on screening process.
This is the appropriate fifth-year level of Chinese if you wish to continue to study the language but are not ready to take on the rigor of the AP course. You will perfect and sharpen all the language skill areas. Specifically, you will read and listen to authentic materials; write with appropriate vocabulary, structure, and organization; speak with nearnative speed. In addition, you will explore different cultural topics on modern China.
Building upon Chinese II, the goal of this course is to enhance your use of Mandarin in more complex situations. If you have demonstrated a higher level of language skill and greater interest in the study of Chinese, this course is appropriate for you. The content is similar to Chinese 311, but you will learn more vocabulary and grammar structures. Your listening and speaking opportunities will be increased through the use of a broader range of materials beyond that of the textbook. You will work on two mini-projects to improve your writing and speaking skills. The class is conducted mostly in Chinese, with a greater degree of authentic material incorporated into the curriculum. CHI 411 Chinese IV One credit. Prerequisite: CHI 311 or equivalent. Placement based on screening process. This advanced course is conducted in Chinese. The objective of the course is to move you from controlled speaking situations to more independent, free speaking on a variety of topics, including social events and issues. More complex sentence structures will be introduced, allowing you to discourse on broader topics. You will be given opportunities to read authentic materials to explore your interests in Chinese culture and language and you will give presentations on your research. CHI 421 Honors Chinese IV One credit. Prerequisite: CHI 311, CHI 321, or equivalent. Placement based on screening process. If you have demonstrated a higher level of language skills and greater interest in the study of Chinese, this course is appropriate for you. This advanced-level course is similar to Chinese 411, but you will explore topics in greater detail. This course is conducted entirely in Chinese. The objective of this course is to move you from controlled speaking situations to more independent, free-speaking situations. The topics that you will encounter include social events and current issues in the Chinese-speaking world. More complex sentence structures are introduced, allowing you to discourse on broader topics. You will be introduced to classical Chinese and the role classical Chinese plays in modern Chinese. You will read authentic materials to explore your interests in Chinese culture and language, culminating in presentations on your research.
CHI 511 Chinese V: Advanced Placement Chinese Language One credit. Prerequisite: CHI 411, CHI 421, or equivalent. Placement based on screening process. This course is available if you want to continue to study Chinese language and culture beyond Chinese IV and you wish to study for the AP Chinese test. Materials will cover various areas to allow you to develop a deeper understanding of Chinese culture, history, and society as well as more training on interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational communication. CHI 611 Chinese VI: Introduction to Chinese Literature One credit. Prerequisite: CHI 511 or equivalent. Placement based on screening process. This advanced course will introduce you to Chinese literature. The course explores Chinese literature from ancient China to the present, with a special emphasis on contemporary and modern Chinese literature. The course will be conducted in Chinese. If you are a native speaker of Chinese and you would like to study literature in Chinese, this is the appropriate level for you.
RELATED COURSES CHI 415 Immersion Program: China One credit. Prerequisite: CHI 211, CHI 221, or equivalent and departmental approval. Seniors and PGs not eligible. The NMH Summer Study Abroad Program in China combines academic work with a travel component. You will study both China’s traditions and its modernity through classroom learning and real-life application. More specifically, you will travel to Beijing, Xi’an, Zhengzhou, Luoyang, Kaifeng, and Shanghai, visiting China’s historical relics and witnessing China’s rapid economic growth. You will take classes in Chinese language and culture at SIAS University in Xinzheng, where you will work with SIAS University students practicing your Chinese, playing sports, riding bikes, participating in group discussions, singing in karaoke competitions, and going out to dinner. Everyone will contribute to the program by doing a presentation regarding