Courses Offered
We offer courses in the Chinese language taught at every level for students who want to become proficient in Mandarin Chinese. These courses include
- Elementary Chinese (CHIN 101/102)
- Chinese for Heritage Speakers I (CHIN 111)
- Intermediate Chinese (CHIN 201/202)
- Chinese for Heritage Speakers II (CHIN 211)
- Upper-Intermediate Chinese (CHIN 301/302)
- Introduction to Classical Chinese (CHIN 336)
- Chinese Media and Society (CHIN 405/406)
If you have come to W&M with some background in Mandarin, see our placement policies to determine which language course you should take next.
We also offer courses about Chinese culture in English. Many of these courses fulfill COLL requirements, including
- First-Year Experience (CHIN 100): COLL 100
- Big Ideas in Chinese Language & Culture (CHIN 100): COLL 100
- Dancing Asia and Asian Diasporas (CHIN 100): COLL 100
- Electrifying Information in China (CHIN 100): COLL 100
- First-Year Seminar (CHIN 150): COLL 150
- Brand New China (CHIN 150): COLL 150
- Revolution in Life (CHIN 150): COLL 150
- What is China? (CHIN 150): COLL 150
- Chinese Popular Culture (CHIN 220): COLL 200, ALV, CSI
- Introduction to Chinese Cultural Studies (CHIN 250): COLL 200, ALV, CSI
- East Asian Cultures Through Film (CHIN 280): COLL 200, ALV
- Topics in Chinese Studies (CHIN 303):
- Building Qianlong's World (CHIN 303): COLL 200, ALV, CSI
- The China Debates (CHIN 303): COLL 200, CSI, COLL 300
- Chinese Science Fiction (CHIN 303): COLL 200, ALV
- Warriors, Lovers, and Buddhist Adventurers (CHIN 303): COLL 200, ALV, COLL 300
- Traditional Chinese Literature in English (CHIN 309): COLL 200, ALV, COLL 300
- Twentieth-Century Chinese Literature in English (CHIN 322): COLL 200, ALV
- Introduction to Chinese Cinema (CHIN 360): COLL 200, ALV, CSI
- Hacking Chinese Studies (CHIN 370): COLL 200, ALV, NQR
- Art of Chinese Poetry (CHIN 386): COLL 200, ALV (Suitable for Students with 2+ years of Chinese)
- Advanced Seminar in Chinese (CHIN 428): COLL 400
- China in the World (CHIN 428): COLL 400
- Fake Globalization, Counterfeit China (CHIN 428): COLL 400
- It's the Remix: Reinvention in Chinese Culture (CHIN 428): COLL 400
What to Expect
What type of readings are involved in first-and-second-year courses? (e.g. articles, textbook) How much reading should a student expect to do per week?
For language courses, students read a textbook. For culture courses, students read book chapters and journal articles.
What sorts of assignments should a student expect in first-and-second-year courses? (e.g. quizzes, group projects, presentations)
For language courses, students can expect quizzes, tests, exams, and presentations. For culture courses, students can expect quizzes, tests, presentations, essays, exams, and multimedia projects.
Beyond the required course texts, are there other course materials a student should be prepared to purchase for first-and-second-year courses?
Students will not need to purchase course materials beyond the required course texts.
Is there anything else that is important for first-and-second-year students to know and/or expect from their courses?
China is the second largest economy in the world; it is important to have a basic understanding of Chinese culture, history, and society. Also, Chinese language and culture is not as hard as you think - it is very fun and interesting! In the Chinese Studies program, we have amazing professors. They will work with you and help you succeed.
More information:
- Placement guidelines. Which class is best for you?
- Undergraduate Catalog Course Listing for Chinese Studies
- Use the Dynamic Schedule or Open Course List to see which courses will be taught in upcoming semesters