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Chinese Language

China 101: Intro to Mandarin Chinese
This is the first semester of a two-semester course designed for students who have no previous knowledge of the language. While the linguistic aspects of the language will be the primary focus, introduction to the social and cultural background of the language will be integrated throughout the course. The primary goals of the course are to help students 1) develop basic communication skills of Mandarin Chinese, focusing on pinyin (a system of romanization for standard Mandarin) and tones, and 2) enhance their understanding and appreciation of Chinese culture, focusing on awareness of appropriate behavior and rules of etiquette in Chinese speaking environments. Students will learn basic vocabulary, sentence structures, and simple grammar. 

China 201: Intermediate Chinese I
This is the first semester of a two-semester course designed for students who have some previous knowledge about the language. In this course, while we review the basic structure of Chinese grammar and the rules of pronunciation, we will continue working on idiomatic expression and vocabulary building.  The objectives of the course are: 1) to help students build a solid foundation of modern Mandarin Chinese that enables them to understand and communicate their basic needs in day-to-day activities; and 2) to enhance the students’ awareness of appropriate behavior and rules of etiquette related to the underlying values of Chinese culture.

China 301: Advanced Chinese I
This course is designed for students who have some sufficient knowledge about the language. While continuing building up vocabulary, we will focus on idiomatic expression in both speech and writing.  Thus, the objectives of the course are twofold: 1) to help students develop writing skills that can adequately express themselves in some of the common written forms (e.g., email, letter, journals, etc.); 2) to continue improving their speech skills that can address their basic needs to communicate effectively in a Mandarin Chinese speaking environment.

 

Other Chinese-Related Courses

Asian Business Environment (Int Bus - Field Study)
Examines the nature and development of capitalism in Asia and the problems and issues involved in conducting business in Asia. Uses case studies to investigate how differences in cultures and business practices affect international business; special institutions in Asia; entry strategies by transnational firms; the differences in economic and political circumstances across Asia; and future economic prospects for Asia.

Journey to the Middle Kingdom (His - Field Study)
This course consists of two components: 1) Chinese history and 2) Chinese language. The Chinese history component introduces students to an outline history from ancient China to the present with important political, economic and social themes and features. The Chinese language component acquaints students with major characteristics of the Chinese language and its writing system including its ideographs and their structure, the use of character dictionaries and the cultural significance of the Chinese characters.

Journey to the Middle Kingdom Field Study
The field study component introduces Chinese history, and major aspects of Chinese society and culture, including family systems, philosophical and religious traditions, and characteristics of the writing system. Itinerary Highlights: The Great Wall and Forbidden City in Beijing, Yungang Stone Cave in Datong, Shaolin Temple in Songshan Mountain, and the modern city of Shanghai.

U.S. & China in the 20th Century (His)
Survey of relations between the U.S. and China in the 20th century, from the signing of unequal treaties to the open door policy, from fighting as allies in World War II through Cold War confrontations, from normalization to current issues of controversy.

Economic Reforms in the People’s Republic of China (His)
Studies economic reforms in the People’s Republic of China since 1978, including a survey of economic policies after the founding of the P.R. Focus on Deng Xiaoping’s "second revolution" of economic reforms and its accompanying political, social, and cultural changes and conflicts.

Contemporary China (His)
Studies contemporary China since the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949, with a focus on its "opening-up" and economic reforms after 1978. Examines political, economic, and social systems, as well as policies and their repercussions under Mao and their changes and challenges under Deng Xiaoping and beyond.

History of Chinese Civilization (His)
A general introduction to Chinese civilization, its origin, evolution, rise, and decline. A wide range of topics will be covered including development of Chinese philosophical and religious traditions, rise and fall of Chinese Empires, interactions between the Han Chinese with nomadic peoples, medieval economic revolution, and late imperial stagnation and decline.

Modern China (His)
Introduction to modern Chinese history from the Opium War to the present. Themes include the Western intrusion, rise of nationalism, cultural and identity crises, revolutions, and current economic reform.

East Asia in Modern Times (His)
A survey of East Asian Countries -- China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam -- their tradition and modern transformation in the 19th and 20th centuries. Western expansion into East Asia, revolution in China, WWII in the Pacific, the gain of Japan as an emerging power, and the Cold War in East Asia will be covered.

East Asia in Pre-Modern Times (His)
A survey of the cultural zone including China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam, with an examination of continuity and change in the institutions of the state, economy, society, and values up to the eve of Western intrusion.

Chinese Revolution (His)
Studies theories of revolution and the Chinese case. The 20th century of Chinese history can be characterized as a century of revolution -- intellectual revolution of the New Culture Movement, the Nationalist Revolution, the Communist Revolution under Mao Zedong, and the economic reform under Deng Xiaoping, which is called the "second revolution." These revolutions fundamentally changed China's polity and society and defined China's search for a modern identity. We will examine the major characteristics of these revolutions.

US-China Relations (Pol)

Contemporary China (Pol)

Modern Chinese Literature (RCC)
As China is looming large as the next world superpower, a good knowledge of her identity will benefit you in ways that you cannot even imagine. In t his course we will trace the trajectory of China 's long and painful modern transformation from a traditional, agrarian society to a modern industrial one. Studying Chinese history, literature, and watching Chinese films will give you a multiple perspective to appreciate the vicissitude of the Chinese search for a modern identity. This interdisciplinary approach of combining history, literature and visual arts will help to concretize and humanize the study of Chinese people, making it more vivid and interesting.

East Asia Politics (Pol)
Compares political systems of China, Vietnam, Japan, and the Koreas. Looks into key regional issues and East Asia in post-Cold War global order.

Music and Society in China (Mus)

Cultures of China (Ant)
Surveys cultures, peoples, and history of mainland China from primitive times until present.

Chinese Cinema: New Millennium (Ant)

Cinema and Society in China (Ant Seminar)
Considers the societies of the People's Republic of China (PRC), Taiwan, and Hong Kong through their portrayals in cinema, with attention to the political and social forces that shape the portrayals.

Minor in Asian Studies
The Asian Studies minor offers students an organized plan of study to facilitate the exploration of their interests in Asia. Courses range across history, anthropology, political science, languages, international business, religion, and philosophy. Asia's importance in world affairs is very great. The enormous population, an immensely long and significant history, extraordinarily complex and diverse societies and cultures, and rising economic significance all call for study and understanding.

 

China-Related Opportunities Offered Through Crummer Graduate School of Business

Emerging Markets
The purpose of this non-traditional experiential course is to broaden the students’ global perspective on international business and to provide an opportunity to gain first-hand experiences in the largest emerging market in the world, the People’s Republic of China.  Students will have an opportunity to learn through readings, secondary research, case studies, and debates as well as through observation, interaction and reflection in the foreign culture.  There will be classroom meetings as well as in-country company visits, lectures, and activities.  The course is designed to increase your knowledge of the international business environments of China and to provide you with practical information on doing business there.  After this class, students will better understand the impact of China on the global economy, the United States, and their own personal lives; and have a deeper appreciation for the Chinese culture, way of life, and business environment.

Global Consulting Projects
The primary distinguishing feature of the Crummer Global Consulting Project program is a week-long trip abroad that the student teams take during project week. Accompanied by their supervising instructor, students to do field research, gain a first-hand understanding of the cultural and social aspects of the market, and in many cases, meet and interact with the overseas management of the sponsor company.

Global Research and Study Program

Hamilton Holt: International Affairs Major/Minor