Chinese
Chinese Program
Delve into a foreign language, learn about another culture, and become a truly global citizen with the Chinese BA at the University of Utah. Chinese students will gain a deeper understanding of a culture other than their own through the study of language, literature, and society: the curriculum includes language classes from beginning to advanced levels, with additional courses covering Chinese philosophy and culture. The Chinese program aims to provide a well-rounded education on China, ultimately helping you to master the necessary language skills and intellectual understanding that will prepare you for a career in a China-related field.
Chinese Major (BA)
The Chinese Major requires a minimum of 27 upper-division credit hours listed under Chinese plus WLC Practicum Signature Experience and either WLC 2010 or 2020 for a total of 33 credit hours. At least 15 credits have to be taken at the University Of Utah. All courses must be passed with a grade of C or better.
Bridge Dual Language Immersion students may see how the Bridge program interacts with the University of Utah's Chinese major on our Bridge program website here.
- Communicate in paragraph-length discourse--in speech and in writing, using Chinese characters--to describe, narrate, explain, elaborate, and clarify with detail in both familiar and unfamiliar situations in informal and some formal settings.
- Demonstrate an understanding of features of Chinese culture communities (e.g., social, geographic, historical). Analyze and discuss core aspects of Chinese civilization including classical Chinese language and traditional literature, modern and contemporary Chinese literature and film, Chinese culture, and the Chinese language.
- A broad sense of the literary and cultural traditions in their language area.
- Begin to show ability to discuss issues beyond the concrete.
- Comprehend complex and descriptive texts (written, audio, visual, audio-visual).
- Comprehend and express opinions and ideas using a variety of vocabulary, including some idiomatic and culturally appropriate expressions, related to topics of personal and community interest, current events, as well as vocabulary related to areas of study and expertise.
- Self-monitor and adjust effectively own speech and writing.
- Demonstrate good language control (vocabulary and grammar) in interpersonal and presentational communication.
- Write exclusively in Chinese characters in a variety of media using appropriate formats and conventions.
Required Courses
24 Total Credits
Completed at least 1 of the following
WLC2010 Introduction to the Study of Literature and Culture (3)
WLC2020 Language in Society (3)
Completed at least 1 of the following
CHIN3010 Third-Year Mandarin Chinese I (3)
CHIN3060 Advanced Chinese Grammar & Composition for Experienced Speakers (3)
Completed ALL of the following
CHIN3020 Third-Year Mandarin Chinese II (3)
CHIN4610 Survey of Chinese Literature (3)
CHIN4620 Survey of Chinese Literature (3)
CHIN4710 Classical or Literary Chinese (3)
CHIN4550 Patterns of Traditional Chinese Culture (3)
Completed at least 1 of the following
CHIN4280 Introduction to Chinese Linguistics (3)
CHIN4281 Politeness in Chinese Speaking Societies: Introduction to Chinese Pragmatics (3)
Electives
6 Total Credits
Earned at least 6 credits from the following
CHIN3116 Exploring China - Past, Present, and You (3)
CHIN3117 Chinese Legacies: Tradition and Modernity (3)
CHIN3118 Chinese Popular Culture (3)
CHIN3390 Chinese Calligraphy (3)
CHIN3510 Business Chinese (3)
CHIN4280 Introduction to Chinese Linguistics (3)
CHIN4281 Politeness in Chinese Speaking Societies: Introduction to Chinese Pragmatics (3)
CHIN4560 Problems of a Modernizing China (3)
CHIN4880 Directed Reading (1 - 4)
CHIN4900 Special Topics (.5 - 4)
CHIN5410 Teaching Chinese as a Second Language (3)
Practicum
Completed one practicum (3) - see Advisor for options
Minimum Degree Hours
122 Total Credits
Minimum Major Hours
33 Total Credits
All classes must be passed with a C or better
Students must take at least 15 credits of the major in residence at the University
of Utah
DOWNLOAD CHINESE MAJOR REQUIREMENTS DOWNLOAD WLC PRACTICUM OPTIONS
Students with advanced language skills (e.g., native speakers, heritage speakers, students who have lived for an extended period abroad) should not enroll in first, second, and some third-year courses. If you do not know what your language level is or if you think your situation justifies petitioning for an exception, contact the WLC advisors before enrolling in classes. For pedagogical reasons, the department reserves the right to remove advanced speakers who have not successfully petitioned from classes not appropriate for their language level.
Chinese Minor
The Chinese Minor requires a minimum of 15 upper-division credit hours listed under Chinese. At least 6 credits have to be taken at the University Of Utah. All courses must be passed with a grade of C or better.
Bridge Dual Language Immersion students may see how the Bridge program interacts with the University of Utah's Chinese minor on our Bridge program website here.
Required Courses
15 TOTAL CREDITS
Third-Year Mandarin Chinese
Completed at least 1 of the following
CHIN3010 Third-Year Mandarin Chinese I (3)
CHIN3060 Advanced Chinese Grammar & Composition for Experienced Speakers (3)
Additional Third-Year Mandarin Chinese
Earned at least 3 credits from the following
CHIN3020 Third-Year Mandarin Chinese II (3)
CHIN3510 Business Chinese (3)
CHIN4550 Patterns of Traditional Chinese Culture (3)
CHIN4560 Problems of a Modernizing China (3)
CHIN4710 Classical or Literary Chinese (3)
CHIN4900 Special Topics (.5 - 4)
CHIN5410 Teaching Chinese as a Second Language (3)
Upper-Division
Earned at least 9 credits from the following
CHIN3020 Third-Year Mandarin Chinese II (3)
CHIN3116 Exploring China - Past, Present, and You (3)
CHIN3117 Chinese Legacies: Tradition and Modernity (3)
CHIN3118 Chinese Popular Culture (3)
CHIN3390 Chinese Calligraphy (3)
CHIN3510 Business Chinese (3)
CHIN4280 Introduction to Chinese Linguistics (3)
CHIN4281 Politeness in Chinese Speaking Societies: Introduction to Chinese Pragmatics (3)
CHIN4550 Patterns of Traditional Chinese Culture (3)
CHIN4560 Problems of a Modernizing China (3)
CHIN4610 Survey of Chinese Literature (3)
CHIN4620 Survey of Chinese Literature (3)
CHIN4710 Classical or Literary Chinese (3)
CHIN4900 Special Topics (.5 - 4)
CHIN5410 Teaching Chinese as a Second Language (3)
Minimum Minor Hours
15 TOTAL CREDITS
All classes must be passed with a C or better
At least 6 credits of minor requirements must be taken in residence at the University
of Utah
DOWNLOAD CHINESE MINOR REQUIREMENTS
All students should declare their minor at least two semesters prior to their anticipated graduation date.
Students with advanced language skills (e.g., native speakers, heritage speakers, students who have lived for an extended period abroad) should not enroll in first, second, and some third-year courses. If you do not know what your language level is or if you think your situation justifies petitioning for an exception, contact the WLC advisors before enrolling in classes. For pedagogical reasons, the department reserves the right to remove advanced speakers who have not successfully petitioned from classes not appropriate for their language level.
Student Experience
Learning Abroad
Learning abroad is the opportunity to live, study and intern abroad while completing your degree here at the University of Utah. Learning Abroad helps connect you to over 500+ program options in over 50 countries, many of which are great for improving your proficiency in another language. Learn more about Learning Abroad by visiting learningabroad.utah.edu and completing Learning Abroad 101.
To get started, see below for program options for Chinese.
For questions, email Learning Abroad at learningabroad@utah.edu, call them at 801-581-5849, or visit in person at Union 159.
Faculty-Led Programs
U of U faculty lead students on short-term programs centered on specific coursework, which is commonly integrated into your major or minor requirements. When participating on a faculty-led program you have the benefit of taking U of U courses abroad that combine in-country experiential learning with classwork.
- Intensive Chinese Language in Tianjin, China (FLAS eligible)
Exchanges
The U partners with universities around the world to offer you the opportunity to complete coursework in an immersive university environment alongside local students. Coursework can be quite flexible with students oftentimes completing major, minor, and general education requirements. Additionally, the cost of an exchange program is the same as paying U of U resident tuition, which makes exchanges one of our most affordable options!
- Nankai University
- National Taiwan University
- Tsinghua University China-US Humanities Exchange Scholarship: The Chinese government offers funding to US students participating in an approved exchange program at Tsinghua University. If nominated for this exchange, the Learning Abroad Exchange Coordinator will recommend you for this funding, which provides a monthly stipend of RMB 2500.
Affiliate Programs
The U partners with external organizations (Affiliates) to expand where you can go and what you can study on a learning abroad program. Affiliates offer programs at study centers, local institutions, or a combination of both in the host country. Programs are commonly structured around a particular theme or topic, such as "Language, Culture, and Society". Program options can also include internships, service learning & community engagement opportunities.
- Chinese focused affiliate programs: click here
- Note: FLAS eligible summer program available
Language-Learning Support
For additional language-learning support, participate in one of the U’s Second Language Teaching and Research Center (L2TReC) workshops or events on Second Language Acquisition (SLA) research and education. Students can also complete their own research projects through the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP).
Career Opportunities
After graduation, many students are prepared to enter graduate programs in Asian Studies, International Studies, law schools, business schools, and medical schools. Many alumni have also found employment in government service and the private sector, as project managers, international sales developers, and language teachers. Become a translator or diplomat, or pair your language skills with technical skills and work internationally in business, technology, or the sciences: careers as a supply chain manager, engineer, programmer, or marketing coordinator are all possible.
Faculty
Tenure-Line Faculty
Assistant Professor
yunwen.su@utah.edu
(801) 581-5994
Career-Line Faculty
Instructor (Lecturer)
kuanyi.chao@utah.edu
(801) 585-3004
Confucius Institute Faculty
Xiao Hu
Associate Instructor
tinyxiao666@163.com
Bridge Faculty
Shin Chi Fame Kao
Associate Instructor
shinchi.famekao@utah.edu
(801) 585-0988
Ximming Ren
Associate Instructor
ren.xinming@utah.edu
(801) 587-8554
FLAS Scholarship
The Foreign Language and Area Studies Scholarship (FLAS) is provided by the Asia Center. For FAQs, application, and other information on the FLAS scholarship, click the button below.
Bridge Dual Language Immersion (DLI) Program
Students who participated in the Bridge Dual Language Immersion (DLI) Program, which includes taking the AP Chinese Exam and one or more 3000-level Chinese courses in high school, can go to our Chinese Bridge program webpage here to see how they can complete the Chinese major or minor at the University of Utah.