The undergraduate program in Chinese offers a major, additional major, minor, teaching major, and a teaching minor. The program emphasizes the obtainment of language competence and a rich knowledge of Chinese culture and society through a combined approach of proficiency-oriented, communicative, situational and study-abroad activities.

The four-year program develops students’ language proficiency and offers good training in cultural knowledge. Its study abroad programs (summer, semester-, and year-long) provide students with a good opportunity to familiarize themselves with Chinese society and culture and immerse themselves in a Chinese-speaking environment. The diversity of courses offered by the Chinese Program prepares students, both majors and non-majors, for their future career advancement. The curriculum of the program is enriched by various extra-curricular activities such as Language Table, Conversation Hour, Language Contests, film showings, lectures, and festivals. The program also strives to connect learners of Chinese with the large Chinese community on and off campus. All the courses are taught by faculty members who have received training in Chinese linguistics, Chinese language teaching, and Chinese cultural and literary studies.

After Graduation

Besides providing the benefits of a liberal education with emphasis on critical thinking, effectiveness in speaking and writing, interpretation, and the pleasures of reading, a major in Chinese can lead you to exciting career opportunities. In the coming years, China will become an even greater presence in the world, and proficiency in Chinese and knowledge of East Asian cultures will open many doors to international careers in business, government, education, social services, and health, to name a few. Some of our recent graduates have been employed by government departments, U.S. or Chinese firms in China; Some have become teachers of Chinese in the U.S. or English teachers in China; Others have started their own businesses.

If you choose to pursue a graduate degree, Chinese represents a highly desirable second language to help fulfill requirements and open opportunities in many graduate programs, including business, economics, history, international relations, law, and political science.

Members of the East Asian faculty are ready to advise you in researching, identifying, and selecting programs that meet your interests and goals.