MAJOR IN CHINESE

NOTES:

• No more than six of the 30 units can be taken from the group comprising the 600 series and HUM 530.
• Students undertaking the major whose language level is already advanced may substitute upper division courses in modern Chinese language or modern Chinese literature/film (taught in Chinese) for CHIN 311, 312, and 401, upon advisement.
• Askerisk * indicates prerequisite (does not count towards 30 units required for major).

SAMPLE ROADMAP

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

Q: If there is a prerequisite for a particular course, is there any way to get it waived? For example, the prerequisite for CHIN 312 Speech and Writing is CHIN 311 Conversation and Reading. Is there any way I can take CHIN 312 Speech and Writing before I take CHIN 311 Conversation and Reading?
A: Waiver of course-specific prerequisites is at the discretion of the instructor. Speak to the course instructor prior to the start of the semester, and have him/her determine your level to see if it is possible to waive the course prerequisite. Generally speaking, prerequisites for non-language courses (e.g., linguistics, classical literature) are granted less often, as the background knowledge required for each course is cumulative in nature. Prerequisites for language courses can often be waived if you can demonstrate that your level of Chinese language proficiency is above that of the prerequisite course. To get a prerequisite language course waived, you should arrange to meet with the course instructor prior to the start of the semester. Bring two 1-2 page handwritten Chinese writing samples (e.g., essays or correspondences) to the meeting to demonstrate your During the meeting, you will be asked to do the following:

1. Engage in a 10 minute conversation with the advisor in the target language (Mandarin Chinese), so that (s)he may determine your level of spoken proficiency;
2. Read texts of various levels in Standard Written Chinese;
3. Write in traditional and simplified characters;
4. Produce two handwritten 1-2 page Chinese essays.

Q: I am Chinese and already speak fluent Mandarin. Can you waive any of the courses listed above that are required for the Chinese major?
A: The short answer is, (lower division) prerequisites can be waived, but (upper division) requirements and electives cannot.You may be able to skip some of the prerequisites if you can demonstrate to the course instructor that your Chinese proficiency level is above that of a particular prerequisite course. But the 30 upper division units that are required for the major (or the 21 units that are required for the minor) cannot be waived. To skip major or minor prerequisites, arrange to meet with the undergraduate advisor prior to the start of the semester. You should bring two 1-2 page handwritten Chinese writing samples (e.g., essays or correspondences) to the meeting to demonstrate your During the meeting, you will be asked to do the following:

1. Engage in a 10 minute conversation with the advisor in the target language (Mandarin Chinese), so that (s)he may determine your level of spoken proficiency;
2. Read texts of various levels in Standard Written Chinese;
3. Write in traditional and simplified characters;
4. Produce two handwritten 1-2 page Chinese essays.

Q: How long does it take to complete the major? Can I finish everything within a year?
A: Unlikely. Keep in mind that not all of the courses that you need for the major are offered every semester. Due to course rotation, it will take a while for you to be able to take all the courses required for the major. On average, it will take 4 years to complete a Chinese major starting from scratch (including all prerequisite courses). If you can get all of your prerequisites waived, then it will take at least 2 years.

Q: Can I transfer Chinese courses from community college and apply them towards the 30 units required for the Chinese major?
A: No. Community college courses are the equivalent of our lower division prerequisites (you can use community college courses to waive prerequisites), whereas the 30 units required for the major are all upper division courses.

Q: What is CHIN 699 Special Study?
A: CHIN 699 Special Study is an independent study course that is only rarely offered. When it is offered, it is offered only by professors to students who have already studied with that professor in a regular class, who, during that class have demonstrated the ability to carry out independent research. As such, Special Study is never offered to new, incoming students -- you need to have studied with the professor before in order to petition for Special Study. Also, Special Study is offered only when the professor has time to teach an additional course, and when the proposed project matches the research interests of the professor -- professors have the right to say no if these two conditions are not met.

Q: My work schedule clashes with that of the courses I need to complete the Chinese major. Can I do a CHIN 699 Special Study instead?
A: CHIN 699 Special Study is not designed to allow students to circumvent regular scheduled classes. If your school schedule clashes with your work schedule -- you need to choose one or the other.