Chinese

As the native tongue of more than 1.2 billion people, Mandarin Chinese is the primary language for approximately one fifth of the human race. Spoken and written Chinese are also widely used throughout Southeast Asia and in other parts of the world, where it has emerged as an increasingly important medium of cultural, educational, and commercial interaction.

The program in Chinese offers a major and a minor in Chinese in two tracks, Chinese Language or China Studies. With a structured sequence of language courses in standard Mandarin, as well as courses on Chinese literature, culture, and film taught in English, the curriculum is designed to familiarize students with China’s long history of cultural traditions.

The Chinese major is designed to provide students with linguistic and cultural competency to function successfully within a Chinese speaking society. Students are also expected to present a senior project in consultation with an advisor. Students learning Chinese are encouraged to take a January course in China or spend one semester or more in their junior year studying Chinese in one of the many study abroad programs available in Beijing, Shanghai or Hong Kong.

The content on this page is for informational purposes only. Official degree requirements can be found in the Whittier College Catalog.

Requirements for the Major in Chinese

To complete the major in Chinese, a student must have Intermediate Chinese II level or its equivalency and a minimum of 30 credits, 24 of which must be at the 300 level.

Chinese Language Track

The major in Chinese language requires language proficiency of Advanced level Chinese demonstrated through coursework or attained language proficiency of level 6 or higher as tested by Chinese National Examinations 漢語水平考試 Coursework:

  • Chinese 120: Elementary Chinese I (4 credits)
  • Chinese 121: Elementary Chinese II (4 credits)
  • Chinese 220: Intermediate Chinese I (3 credits)
  • Chinese 221: Intermediate Chinese II (3 credits)
  • Chinese 320: Composition and Conversation (3 credits)
  • Chinese 390: Current topics (3 credits) One linguistic course

English 310: Linguistics (3 credits)
Chinese 499: Senior Project (4 credits)
______________
Total - 27 credits
* denotes courses taught in Chinese

China Studies Track

Major in Chinese Studies requires language proficiency at Intermediate Chinese level attained through coursework or language proficiency of level 4 and higher as tested by Chinese National Examinations, 漢語水平考試 (HSK)

  • Chinese 120: Elementary Chinese I (4 credits)
  • Chinese 121: Elementary Chinese II (4 credits)
  • Chinese 220: Intermediate Chinese I (3 credits)
  • Chinese 221: Intermediate Chinese II (3 credits)
  • Chinese 325: Culture and Civilization (3 credits)
  • Chinese 310: Masterpieces of China (3 credits)
  • Chinese 350: Chinese Cinema (3 credits)
  • Chinese 499: Senior project (4 credits)

___________
Total - 27 credits
* denotes courses taught in Chinese

Both tracks in the Chinese major require three or more out of the following courses at a 300 level. This is also applicable to students who start at intermediate language level or higher who will still require the 24 credits at the 300 level courses.

  • Chinese 325: Culture and Civilization (3 credits)
  • Chinese 310: Masterpieces of China (3 credits)
  • Chinese 350: Chinese Cinema (3 credits)
  • History 321: Imperial China (3 credits)
  • History 323: Modern China (3 credits)
  • Philosophy 300: Early Chinese Philosophy (3 credits)
  • Religion 330: The Buddha and Buddhism (3 credits)
  • Religion 334: Religions of China and Japan (3 credits)

Requirements for the Minor in Chinese

A minor in Chinese requires a minimum of 16 credits from any level. Interested students should consult with language faculty. All courses require a Language Lab/Supporting Materials Fee.