Courses

Curriculum Structure
 
Required courses at the elementary, intermediate, and advanced levels (Ba, Bb, 120a, 120b, 130a, 130b) meet five hours per week during the first three years. The fourth year advanced-reading courses (140a, 140b) also meet five hours a week, with a stronger emphasis on reading and writing. The fifth year courses (150a, 150b) focus on formal writing and formal speech.

The Chinese curriculum also includes intensive courses at the elementary (Aab) and intermediate (125) levels; each of these courses covers in one semester the material covered during two semesters by a sequence of two regular half-courses. Intensive courses meet ten hours per week. Because the workload of one intensive course is the equivalent of two half-courses, students enrolled in an intensive course need only take two other half-courses concurrently.

For heritage learners, we offer specially designed intensive courses at the elementary (Bx) and intermediate (123) levels.

Advanced-conversation courses (142a and 142b) are offered as Advanced Conversational Chinese, which meet three hours weekly with additional scheduled individual interviews. The level of spoken proficiency required is equivalent to the first semester regular fourth year course (140a).

We also offer business Chinese (163) at advanced level.

Course Contents
 
The elementary courses (Ba, Aab) begin with an introduction to the pronunciation of Modern Standard Chinese (Mandarin). Hanyu Pinyin, the internationally recognized system of phonetic spelling for Chinese, is used as an aid to pronunciation in all modern Chinese language classes. Because the elements of pronunciation are taught as a systematic structure of sounds, students can readily adapt that knowledge in order to learn other widely used systems of Chinese phonetic spelling, such as Wade-Giles, when needed for readings in other courses outside the modern language program. For students who have previously learned the Chinese phonetic symbols, known as bo, po, mo, fo, a conversion table to Hanyu Pinyin is available.

A similar emphasis on structure underlines the presentation of Chinese grammar at all levels, beginning from an intensive study of sentence patterns in the elementary level (Ba, Bb, Aab). The elementary texts are primarily narratives and dialogues located in realistic contemporary campus situations that are readily understood by students.

The traditional, unsimplified forms of Chinese characters are taught in the elementary courses. The principles of character simplification are introduced at the end of the elementary level, and simplified characters are used intensively in the first semester of the intermediate level (120a). Thereafter, the two forms are used concurrently.

From the start of the intermediate level (120a) and beyond, classes are conducted entirely in spoken Chinese. Intermediate level text materials introduce, through lively narratives, basic core of China's culture, history, legend, geography, ethical values, modern transformation, etc., while gradually exposing students to selected authentic texts of literary interest.

Conversation classes and compositions are also included.  Advanced level (130a) through 150b) materials consist of readings in 20th century dramatic, fictional, nonfictional writings, and newspaper reading. Emphasis is on close analysis of grammar, diction, and style. Compositions and pronunciation exercises are also employed.