Bachelor of Arts: Chinese Studies | Asian and Asian American Studies

BA in Chinese Studies

The Chinese Studies program offers students a diverse curriculum centered on Chinese language, literature, culture and society. Its rigorous language curriculum stresses verbal and textual mastery, cultural competency, and includes courses in Chinese linguistics and language pedagogy. Content courses explore both ancient and modern Chinese literature, visual arts, society, history, philosophy, and economics. Content courses are taught entirely in English and do not require any Chinese language skills.

The Chinese Studies faculty stress both global/transnational perspectives and area/regional knowledge and linguistic skills, in order to best prepare students for a broad spectrum of future educational and career goals and opportunities.

Requirements

Major Requirements
The Chinese Studies major requirement consists of 11 courses.

Language Courses

Students are required to successfully complete the following four language courses:
- CHIN 203 Intermediate Chinese I
- CHIN 204 Intermediate Chinese II
- CHIN 305 Advanced Chinese I
- CHIN 306 Advanced Chinese II
Note: CHIN 101 (Elementary Chinese I) and CHIN 102 (Elementary Chinese II) provide the basic linguistic knowledge and skills required to begin the major but do not count towards the major. After consultation and proficiency test assessment administered by Chinese Program faculty, students who already demonstrate competence in Mandarin at any of the required levels may waive part or all of the language requirements. Waived Chinese language courses will not count toward the major and must be replaced with other Chinese Studies courses to bring the total number of courses to eleven. A letter grade of C or better is necessary for a course to count toward the Chinese Studies major.

Elective Courses

In addition to the required language courses, students must choose:
- One core course in Asian American and Diaspora Studies.
- Six elective courses in Chinese Studies.
In addition:
- Two of the courses have to be at the 400 level, with at least one being in Chinese Studies
- At least two additional elective courses must be at the 300 or 400 level.
- At least six courses must be taken at Binghamton University.
- No more than one course may be an independent study.
- No more than one course may be taken Pass/Fail.
- No language course may be taken Pass/Fail.
- A letter grade of C or better is necessary for a course to count toward the major.
Minor Requirements
The minor in Chinese Studies consists of six courses consisting of three language courses and three Chinese Studies elective courses. At least three of these six courses must be at the 300 or 400 level.

The three required language courses are:
- CHIN 203 Intermediate Chinese I
- CHIN 204 Intermediate Chinese II
- CHIN 305 Advanced Chinese I
Note: CHIN 101 (Elementary Chinese I) and CHIN 102 (Elementary Chinese II) provide the basic linguistic knowledge and skills required to begin the minor but do not count towards the minor. After consultation and proficiency test assessment administered by Chinese Program faculty, students who demonstrate proficiency in Mandarin at any of the required levels may waive part or all of the language requirements. Waived Chinese language courses will not count toward the minor and must be replaced with other Chinese Studies courses to bring the total number of courses up to six.

In addition:
- No more than one course may be an independent study
- No more than one course may be taken Pass/Fail.
- No language course may be taken Pass/Fail
- At least four courses must be taken at Binghamton University.
- A letter grade of C or better is necessary for a course to count toward the minor.