Coordinator, Rose Wang
The Chinese Language and Culture Major at Wheaton is a multidisciplinary program designed for students wishing to attain reasonable fluency in Chinese with specialized exposure to the country of China. Students will gain language proficiency and familiarity with China through a wide range of courses in a variety of disciplines. The program helps prepare students for graduate study in China-related fields, for work in contexts where Chinese language and culture are pertinent, or to live and work in Chinese-speaking areas of the world as informed and capable individuals equipped with appropriate intercultural skills and awareness.
Along with specific requirements for any major, all students in the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degree programs must meet all general education and graduation requirements under a single catalog.
Coordinator, Rose Wang
In consultation with an advisor from within the department, students develop a major plan with a focus on Chinese language and culture. Not all of the courses required for the major are offered every year. Early and careful planning is advised.
CHINESE LANGUAGE AND CULTURE MAJOR REQUIREMENT is 40 credit hours including the demonstration of Chinese language proficiency (equivalent to the level upon completion of CHIN201):
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MAJOR REQUIREMENTS | ||
| LANGUAGE: | 24 | |
Chinese Language Proficiency | ||
Students must demonstrate language proficiency equivalent to the level upon completion of CHIN 201. | ||
| CHIN 101 | Elementary Mandarin Chinese | 4 |
| CHIN 102 | Elementary Mandarin Chinese | 4 |
| CHIN 201 | Intermediate Mandarin Chinese | 4 |
Additional Required Languages Courses | ||
| CHIN 331 | Chinese Conversation | 4 |
| CHIN 332 | Chinese Grammar and Composition | 4 |
| CHIN 494 | Senior Capstone Experience: Contemporary Chinese Literature and Its Social Reality | 4 |
Elective Language Courses | ||
May count as China-focused content courses but cannot be double counted toward the major requirement | ||
| CHIN 302 | Chinese Through Scripture | 4 |
| CHIN 335 | Business Chinese | 4 |
| CHIN 337 | Readings of Chinese Culture and Society | 4 |
| CHIN 495 | Independent Study | 1-4 |
| CHINA-FOCUSED CONTENT COURSES: | 16 | |
Required Content Courses | ||
| CHIN 334 | Chinese Culture and Traditions (Taught in English) | 4 |
| HIST 291 | Introduction to Modern East Asia | 4 |
| or HIST 293 | Introduction to Asian Studies | |
Elective Content Courses | ||
Courses not on this list may also count with approval from the Chinese advisor, if China or East Asia is covered or any one-time offering or topics course that deals primarily with China. | ||
| B EC 331 | International Business | 4 |
| ECON 365 | Development Economics | 4 |
| IR 328 | International Law | 2 |
| IR 347 | East Asian Politics | 4 |
| IR 364 | East Meets West | 4 |
| PHIL 106 | Global Philosophy | 4 |
| PHIL 227 | Asian Philosophy | 4 |
| PSCI 323 | Chinese Political Thought | 4 |
| RELI 225 | Major World Religions | 4 |
| Wheaton-in-China or An Alternative Approved Study Abroad Program (strongly recommended) 1 | ||
| CHIN 338 | Advanced Chinese in China (Off campus; CHIN 334 Prerequisite) | 4 |
| CHIN 341 | Special Topics in Chinese Language and Culture (Off campus; CHIN 334 Prerequisite) | 4 |
| Total Credits Required | 40 | |
| 1 | Credits earned during study abroad may be applied either to a second major (with the approval of that major department), to the Chinese language and culture major, or (upon approval) to both. Up to 8 credits of language and culture courses taken as part of the study abroad program may count or substitute for some Chinese language and culture major requirements. |
Chinese Courses
CHIN 101. Elementary Mandarin Chinese I. (4 Credits)
Beginning Chinese with emphasis on understanding, speaking, reading, and writing. Laboratory practice.
CHIN 102. Elementary Mandarin Chinese II. (4 Credits)
Beginning Chinese with emphasis on understanding, speaking, reading, and writing. Laboratory practice.
CHIN 103. Accelerated Elementary Chinese. (4 Credits)
Intensive study of beginning Chinese with emphasis on understanding, speaking, reading and writing. Laboratory work. Required of heritage speakers of Chinese who speak and understand Chinese but who have little or no reading and writing ability. Also required of non-Chinese students with two years of high school Chinese or who place by test score into second-semester Chinese. Prerequisite: Heritage speakers of Chinese or non-Chinese students with only two years of high school Chinese or second semester Chinese by placement test score. Fall semester only.
CHIN 201. Intermediate Mandarin Chinese. (4 Credits)
Conversation, composition, and grammar review based on readings and videos; exploration of various aspects of Chinese culture. Laboratory practice. Prerequisite to any further study in Chinese. Prerequisite: CHIN 102 or CHIN 103 (or equivalent).
General Education: COMP
CHIN 301. Chinese Character Acquisition. (2 Credits)
Introduction to the basic component parts of Chinese characters and how characters vary as they are combined. May be taken concurrently with a Chinese language course at the intermediate level or above. This course does not satisfy the language competency requirement. Prerequisite: CHIN 201, Language Competency equivalent or permission of instructor.
CHIN 302. Chinese Through Scripture. (4 Credits)
Introduction to the Chinese Bible and its translation via selected readings. Focus on basic Christian terminologies and statements in Chinese about God, Jesus, worship, and prayer. Practice character recognition and oral communication through reading of the Bible. May be taken concurrently with a Chinese language course at the intermediate level or above. This course does not satisfy the language competency requirement. Prerequisite: CHIN 201, Language Competency equivalent, or permission of instructor.
CHIN 303. Chinese Grammar. (4 Credits)
Introduction of the major features of Chinese grammar. Discussion of structures, situations, and functions and practice with corresponding exercises. Prerequisite: CHIN 201, Language Competency equivalent or permission of instructor.
CHIN 331. Chinese Conversation. (4 Credits)
Intensive practice in oral communication and listening comprehension with emphasis on natural spoken expression based on audio materials, videos, and readings of authentic texts. Development of reading and writing skills through exposure to additional Chinese characters. Prerequisite: CHIN 201, Language Competency requirement or permission of instructor.
CHIN 332. Chinese Grammar and Composition. (4 Credits)
Introduction of the major features of Chinese grammar with discussion of structures, situations and functions and corresponding exercises. Development of punctuation, sentence and paragraph structures; practice with basic Chinese literary styles such as narration, description, exposition, argumentation, and correspondence. Emphasis on writing practices as well as group discussions, presentations and oral compositions. Prerequisite: CHIN 201, Language Competency requirement or permission of the instructor.
CHIN 334. Chinese Culture and Traditions. (4 Credits)
Introduction to Chinese customs and traditions, and cultural essence prior to study abroad in China. Special emphasis on comparing and contrasting similarities and differences of East and West to promote deeper understanding of Chinese culture as well as students' cultural heritage. Taught in English.
Tags: GP
CHIN 335. Business Chinese. (4 Credits)
Introduction of Chinese communication skills (listening, speaking, reading, and writing) used in various business situations. Practice of communicative skills through simulations and related business tasks. Exploration of social-cultural aspects of Chinese business contexts. May be taken concurrently with a Chinese language course at the intermediate level or above. Prerequisite: CHIN 201, language competency requirement or permission of instructor.
CHIN 336. Chinese Cinema. (4 Credits)
Viewing, analysis and critique of Mandarin-language films from Mainland China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong depicting urban and rural contexts. Practice in aural comprehension, reading authentic texts, writing synopses and reviews, and discussion of character development, thematic analysis and cinematic techniques. Prerequisite: CHIN 201, language competency requirement, or permission of instructor.
Tags: GP
CHIN 337. Readings of Chinese Culture and Society. (4 Credits)
Selected readings of authentic texts on topics of Chinese culture, contemporary Chinese life, and social issues as well as from various literary works. Dual emphasis on language learning and building of cultural awareness. Prerequisite: CHIN 201, Language Competency requirement or permission of instructor.
Tags: GP
CHIN 338. Advanced Chinese in China. (4 Credits)
Development of oral proficiency. Immersion experience and practice in intercultural competencies and language acquisition. Grammar, conversation, and composition taught by native speakers in a Chinese university setting. Course content and level variable. Offered in China only. Prerequisite: CHIN 334.
Tags: GP
CHIN 341. Special Topics in Chinese Language and Culture. (4 Credits)
Further development of oral proficiency. Immersion experience and practice in intercultural competencies and language acquisition. Advanced grammar, conversation, composition and cultural topics taught by native speakers in a Chinese university setting. Course content and level variable. Offered in China only. Prerequisite: CHIN 334.
Tags: GP
CHIN 346. Modern Chinese Literature. (4 Credits)
Introduction of literary works of major Chinese writers during the twentieth century. Readings include short stories, poetry and essays, each placed in its unique societal, historical, and political contexts so as to present a holistic picture of a modern China. All texts will be studied in Chinese. Prerequisite: CHIN 337 or permission of the instructor.
Tags: LE
CHIN 351. Classical Chinese Poetry. (2 Credits)
Development of basic tools for reading Classical (Literary) Chinese, the written language of China from the sixth century B.C. through the second century A.D. and beyond. Reading and analysis (oral and written) of the works of Tang poets including Li Bai, Du Fu, Wang Wei, and others. Development of formal spoken contemporary language that incorporates elements of Classical and semi-Classical Chinese. Prerequisite: CHIN 201, language competency requirement or permission of instructor.
CHIN 494. Senior Capstone Experience: Contemporary Chinese Literature and Its Social Reality. (4 Credits)
Analysis of selected Chinese works of literature, film, current news on media, online blogs, and social media from perspectives of critical theory, cultural studies, and Christian worldview, in light of the Desired Outcomes of the CHIN major and of the Christ at the Core Capstone Experience Outcomes. Additional course fee required. Prerequisites: CHIN 302, CHIN 334, CHIN 337, or departmental approval.
General Education: SHAR
CHIN 495. Independent Study. (1 to 4 Credits)
Reading and individual study of selected aspects of Chinese culture, literature, or language. Department approval required.