Modern Languages and Literatures: Chinese

The Academic Program

Students may major or minor in Chinese in both the Course and Honors Programs. The Chinese major contains components of language, literature and culture. Study abroad is strongly encouraged and supported, and contributes directly to a major or minor in Chinese. Students of Chinese also may choose a special major in interdisciplinary Chinese studies (see below), or a major in Asian studies (see under Asian Studies ), where Chinese language courses above the first-year level as well as Chinese literature and culture courses and credit for study abroad normally may be counted toward the major.

Students interested in majoring or minoring in Chinese should consult with the section head of Chinese as soon as possible.

First- through fourth-year Chinese language courses are offered each year, as is an introductory course on reading Classical Chinese. First-year Chinese and the Introduction to Classical Chinese have no prerequisites and are open to the entire student community. Literature, culture, and film courses in translation also are offered each year and are open to all students. Students of Chinese are particularly urged to take these classes as a means of gaining perspective on traditional and modern Chinese literature and culture over more than two millennia, from early times into the contemporary. Seminars welcome students not majoring or minoring in Chinese, with permission of the instructor.

Introductory and intermediate Chinese language courses are intensive and carry 1.5 credits per semester. Students should plan to take these courses as early as possible so that studying in China can be incorporated into their curriculum.

Course Major in Chinese

1. A minimum of nine credits in courses numbered 003B and above.
2. Mandatory completion of the following courses: 020, 021, 033 or equivalent; at least one course or seminar on modern Chinese literature/film in translation, and at least one course or seminar on pre-modern literature/culture in translation.
3. Study abroad in a program approved by the section is strongly recommended; transferred credits normally may be counted toward the major.
4. A minimum of six credits of work must be completed at Swarthmore.
5. A culminating exercise, honors seminar, or thesis.
6. Senior Colloquium.

Course Minor in Chinese

1. A minimum of five credits of work in courses numbered 004B and above.
2. At least two credits in Chinese language courses numbered 004B and above.
3. At least two credits in classical or modern literature/culture/film.
4. A minimum of three credits of work must be completed at Swarthmore.
5. Study abroad in a program approved by the section is strongly recommended; transferred credits normally may be counted toward the minor.
6. Senior Colloquium.

Honors Major in Chinese

Requirements for the honors major in Chinese essentially are the same as those for the course major, excepting the culminating exercise. An honors major in Chinese will consist of examinations in Chinese language, literature and culture. Work done abroad may be incorporated, where appropriate. Honors preparations in Chinese consist of 2-credit seminar; designated pairs of courses (or 1-credit attachment to designated 1-credit course); or a 2-credit thesis. Senior honors study is mandatory and normally is done in the spring semester of the senior year. Work is arranged on an individual basis, and candidates may receive up to one credit for completion of the work. Honors examinations normally will consist of three 3-hour written examinations and a 30-minute oral for each examination.

Honors students of Chinese may also consider a special major in interdisciplinary Chinese studies that is coordinated by the section head of Chinese, or an honors major in Asian studies (see under Asian Studies ).

Honors Minor in Chinese

It is possible to prepare for an honors minor in Chinese in either Chinese language or in Chinese literature in translation. Requirements for the honors minor in Chinese essentially are the same as those for the course minor. The honors preparation will consist of a 2-credit seminar, or a designated pair of courses (or a 1-credit attachment to a designated 1-credit course). Senior honors study is mandatory and normally is done in the spring semester of the senior year; work is arranged on an individual basis, and candidates will have the option of receiving 0.5 credit for completion of the work. The Honors examination normally will consist of one 3-hour written examination and a 30-minute oral examination.

Students of Chinese may also consider an honors minor in Asian studies (see under Asian Studies ).

Special Major in Interdisciplinary Chinese Studies

1. A minimum of 10 credits in courses numbered 003B and higher.
2. Must complete the following courses: 012 or higher; at least three additional courses on language/literature/culture/film, at least one of these concerning the modern period and at least one concerning the pre-modern period.
3. Study abroad in a program approved by the section is strongly recommended; transferred credits normally may be counted toward the major.
4. A minimum of six credits of work must be completed at Swarthmore.
5. At least one and up to three credits can be earned from other departments on China-related subjects with the approval of the Chinese section.
6. A culminating exercise, honors seminar or thesis.
7. Senior Colloquium.

Off-Campus Study

Study abroad is particularly encouraged for students of Chinese; academic credit (full or partial) is generally approved for participation in several recommended programs of varying duration in the People’s Republic of China and in Taiwan. In the People’s Republic, these include, but are not limited to, the Inter-University Program (IUP) Program at Tsing-hua University, the Associated Colleges in China (ACC) Program, the CET Program in Harbin, and the Middlebury program in Kunming. In Taiwan, these include the International Chinese Language Program (ICLP), the Mandarin Training Center in Taipei, and the Chinese Language Center, National Cheng Kung University in Taiwan.

Chinese Courses

• CHIN 001B. Introduction to Mandarin Chinese
• CHIN 002B. Introduction to Mandarin Chinese
• CHIN 003B. Second-Year Mandarin Chinese
• CHIN 004B. Second-Year Mandarin Chinese
• CHIN 005. Chinese for Advanced Beginners I
• CHIN 006. Chinese for Advanced Beginners II
• CHIN 007. Chinese/Japanese Calligraphy
• CHIN 009. First-Year Seminar: Heaven, Earth, and Man: Ways of Thought in Traditional Chinese Culture
• CHIN 011. Third-Year Chinese
• CHIN 011A. Third-Year Chinese Conversation
• CHIN 012. Advanced Chinese
• CHIN 012A. Advanced Chinese Conversation
• CHIN 013A. Foreign Language Teaching and Pedagogy
• CHIN 016. Substance, Shadow, and Spirit in Chinese Literature and Culture
• CHIN 020. Readings in Modern Chinese
• CHIN 021. Topics in Modern Chinese
• CHIN 023. Modern Chinese Literature: A New Novelistic Discourse (1918-1948)
• CHIN 027. The Story in Dynastic China
• CHIN 033. Introduction to Classical Chinese
• CHIN 035. Readings in Classical Chinese
• CHIN 055. Contemporary Chinese Cinema: The New Waves (1984-2005)
• CHIN 069. The Art of Living: Taste and Aesthetics in Chinese Cultural Traditions
• CHIN 081. Transcending the Mundane: Taoism in Chinese Literature and Culture
• CHIN 090. Practicum in Bridging Swarthmore and Local Chinese Communities
• CHIN 091. Special Topics in Chinese Literature and Culture in Translation: Dancing Across Borders; the Body, Aesthetics and Ideologies in 20th-Century China
• CHIN 092. Special Topics in Chinese Literature and Culture in Chinese
• CHIN 093. Directed Reading
• CHIN 096. Thesis
• CHIN 099. Senior Colloquium