Chinese

A Major, Concentration and a Minor

China is the most populous nation in the world, exceeding 1.3 billion people.   It is also one of the world's oldest civilizations with the longest continuously used written language.

The Chinese major aims to provide students with the opportunity to develop advanced Chinese language proficiency and full understanding of the Chinese culture as they study a wide range of authentic texts and practice through meaningful communication and interaction.  

The Chinese concentration promotes proficient Chinese language skills and understanding of Chinese culture.  Students must have a primary concentration in the College of Business or a major in the College of Arts and Sciences.

The Chinese minor builds on fluency in Standard Mandarin and offers a strong understanding of the culture and history of China. Four courses are required for the minor and it is available to all students. 

Studying Chinese at Bryant

The Chinese major, concentration and minor are designed to provide students with an advanced level of language proficiency in Standard Mandarin and a solid foundation for the development of cultural understanding and communication skills across a broad array of social contexts and settings in China.

The required courses provide students with the necessary tools to become effective and creative communicators.  Studying Chinese also prepares students to live, study, and work in China and to take advantage of the steadily growing international market for professionals in all fields who have a background in Chinese language and culture.

In addition, the U.S.—China Institute offers the China Speaker Series, special cultural events, and study abroad programs to complement the academic components of the minor.

Courses

Students in the Chinese major will complete the following major requirements:

• Chinese Reading and Writing I
• Conversation and Listening Comprehension
• Chinese for Business or Chinese for Media
• One more 400-level Chinese language course
• Six additional courses. Two may be at the 200 level, and the rest at the 300 and 400 levels.
• Fifteen credits must be earned at Bryant.

Students in the Chinese concentration will complete the following concentration requirements:

• Chinese Reading and Writing I
• Conversation and Listening Comprehension
• One 400 level advanced Chinese course
• Three  (3) additional courses, (one (1) may be a 200 level and at least two (2)  must be at the 300 or 400 level)
• Nine credits must be earned at Bryant University
  

The Chinese minor requires:

• Chinese Reading and Writing I
• One 400 level advanced Chinese course
• Two additional courses (One may be at the 200 level and at least one must be a the 300 or 400 level)  
• Six credits must be earned at Bryant University

Chinese Advanced Level Course Offerings:

• Conversation and Listening Comprehension
• Chinese Internship
• Directed Study in Chinese
• Chinese Reading and Writing II
• Chinese for Business I
• Chinese for Business II
• Chinese for Media
• Introduction to Chinese Linguistics
• Advanced Chinese Through Contemporary Chinese Cinema
• Advanced Reading on Chinese Literature and Culture
• Modern Chinese Literature and Culture

For complete course descriptions, please refer to the course catalog.

Opportunities After Graduation

The language and cultural knowledge students gain from the Chinese concentration or minor is beneficial to a number of professional fields, including:

• Translation/Interpretation
• Customs
• Immigration/Naturalization
• Civil Service/Foreign Service
• Diplomacy
• Management
• International Business
• Marketing
• Research
• Teaching
• Human Services
• Business
• Community Development
• Journalism
  
  

For More Information

To learn more about the Chinese major, concentration or minor, please contact:

Yun Xiao, Ph.D.
Associate Professor and Chair
Department of Modern Languages
yxiao@bryant.edu