Chinese Studies Program

Department of Modern Literatures and Cultures

Kun Qian, Section Coordinator
Affiliated Faculty: Geaney (Religion), Loo (History), Wang (Political Science)

This section contains information specific to the degree program in Chinese Studies. For full information regarding departmental policies relevant to all the modern literatures and cultures (MLC) degree programs, study abroad, and course sequencing, see the main page of the Department of Modern Literatures and Cultures.

Study Abroad

Study and travel abroad are strongly encouraged for all students. For students of Chinese, the department offers a summer study program in China. Semester or year study abroad at our partner institutions in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Beijing is encouraged. For a complete list of study abroad options, contact the Office of International Education.

The Chinese Studies Major

Note: The grade point average of the coursework comprising the major must be no less than 2.00 with no course grade below C- (1.7).

9 courses including:

Five courses chosen from the following, one of which must be a 400-level course:
CHIN 301 Advanced Intermediate Chinese
CHIN 302 Conversational Chinese
CHIN 311 Insights into Chinese Culture (summer only)
CHIN 401 Advanced Chinese I
CHIN 402 Advanced Chinese II
CHIN 410 Business Chinese
CHIN 497 Selected Topics
Four courses chosen from the list below with CLAC in Chinese
MLC 225 Chinese Culture and Civilization
MLC 323 Hero, Talent, and Beauty: Classical Chinese Narrative
MLC 325 Representing the Chinese Empire
MLC 355 Chinese Cinema
HIST 250 Modern East Asia 1600-1960
HIST 251 Chinese Revolutions
HIST 252 China Modern: 1900-1940
HIST 341 History and Memory: WWII in East Asia
PLSC 345 Politics of China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan
PLSC 357 International Relations of East Asia
PLSC 358 The U.S. and Asia's Great Powers
Students MUST complete an approved study abroad experience as part of the Chinese Studies major. The study abroad experience can be fulfilled through a summer study abroad program associated with the University of Richmond, or other summer or semester programs in Chinese universities approved by the Chinese Studies faculty.
Students must take one 400-level course in Chinese at the University of Richmond after they return from abroad.
Students can transfer up to three courses to fulfill their Chinese Studies major requirements.

Cross-School Major in Chinese Studies and International Business

(Earned in conjunction with a major in the Robins School of Business with an international business concentration.)

9 courses and an interdisciplinary research project (IDST 379), in addition to completing all requirements of the international business concentration for the business administration major, including:

CHIN 410: Business Chinese, and
FOUR courses at the 300-level or above, chosen from
CHIN 301 Advanced Intermediate Chinese
CHIN 302 Conversational Chinese
CHIN 311 Insights into Chinese Culture
CHIN 401 Advanced Chinese I
CHIN 402 Advanced Chinese II
CHIN 497 Selected Topics
One semester full-time study in China or Taiwan at an approved university

The cross-school major in Chinese Studies and International Business represents a collaborative project between the Department of Modern Literatures and Cultures and the International Business Program in the Robins School of Business. Designated faculty members from each program will advise students upon declaration and as they progress through the major. The curriculum includes a semester abroad at one of the University's partner institutions (for example, Tsinghua University in Beijing or National Chengchi University in Taiwan). There, students will continue their course work in Chinese Studies and business in classes with both local and other international students.

To prepare for the experience abroad, students must have taken CHIN 202 or the equivalent. Upon returning to the University of Richmond, they will broaden their knowledge of literary and cultural studies through advanced seminars as well as additional Robins School of Business coursework. The Chinese component of this program thus consists of five courses at the 300-level or above taken on campus plus four courses taken abroad, or the equivalent of a nine-course major in MLC.

The Chinese Studies Minor

Note: The grade point average of the coursework comprising the minor must be no less than 2.00 with no course grade below C- (1.7).

5 courses (must include an approved study abroad experience), including

Four courses in Chinese at the 300 level or above
One elective from the list below with CLAC in Chinese or a 400-level course in Chinese:
HIST 250 Modern East Asia 1600-1960
HIST 251 Chinese Revolutions
HIST 252 China Modern: 1900-1940
HIST 341 History and Memory: WWII in East Asia
MLC 225 Chinese Culture and Civilization
MLC 323 Hero, Talent, and Beauty: Classical Chinese Narrative
MLC 325 Representing the Chinese Empire
MLC 355 Chinese Cinema
PLSC 345 Politics of China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan
PLSC 357 International Relations of East Asia
PLSC 358 The U.S. and Asia's Great Powers
RELG 355 Selected Asian Religions

Students are expected to fulfill all prerequisites necessary for courses within the minor. Prerequisites do not count toward the minor unless otherwise noted. Minors must take at least one 400-level class on campus after studying abroad, regardless of whether or not they have sufficient credits to fulfill the minor requirements.

Courses

CHIN 101-102 Elementary Chinese

CHIN 201-202 Intermediate Chinese

CHIN 301 Advanced Intermediate Chinese

CHIN 302 Conversational Chinese

CHIN 311 Insights into Chinese Culture

CHIN 312 Insights into Chinese Culture

CHIN 388 Individual Internship

CHIN 389 Practice Assistantship

CHIN 401 Advanced Chinese I

CHIN 402 Advanced Chinese II

CHIN 406 Summer Undergraduate Research

CHIN 410 Business Chinese

CHIN 495 Independent Study

CHIN 497 Selected Topics