B.A. in Chinese

Program Overview

One-fifth of the planet speaks Chinese, making it the most widely spoken first language in the world. Our program emphasizes deep exposure to Chinese language, literature, and civilization because understanding the culture behind the language is an important element in learning to write and speak Chinese effectively. Employers in business, education, government, finance, and many other fields are looking for people who can speak Chinese and operate successfully in a Chinese cultural context.

Curriculum

• Chinese (B.A.)
• Chinese Minor

Outcomes

Upon completion of the B.A. with major in Chinese degree, students will be able to:

• Speaking/Listening: Understand spoken Chinese and express one's opinion concerning a variety of social topics, and be able to conduct an oral presentation in Chinese.
• Reading: Read and comprehend written texts in Chinese from a variety of forms and contexts (e.g., newspapers, essay collections, novels).
• Writing: Express own thoughts and summarize readings in one's own words in written Chinese.
• Literature: Identify and describe major authors, works, features, forms, and styles of Chinese literature from premodern and/or modern eras.
• Analyze and interpret works of Chinese poetry, prose, and drama, read both in translation and in the original Chinese, using terms appropriate to each genre.
• Situate and evaluate Chinese literature in its social, historical, intellectual, and religious contexts.
• Research: Use a variety of Chinese reference works and sources, including dictionaries and encyclopedias in digital and hardcopy form.
• Conduct independent research on topics in Chinese literature and/or China-related topics, and effectively communicate the results.

Careers

• International business
• Translator/interpreter
• Teaching English in China
• Teaching Chinese in U.S.

Where Alumni Work

• Albany Molecular Research, Inc.
• Columbia University Nursing Program
• Duvel Moortgat
• English First
• IES Abroad (China)
• Morgan Stainley (Shanghai)
• Porche A.G. (Shanghai)
• Saint Johnsbury Academy (Chinese Language Teacher)
• Small Dogs Electronics
• TD Ameritrade
• University of Vermont Medical Center

Graduate Schools

• Emory University
• Georgetown University
• Johns Hopkins
• Middlebury College
• Monterey Institute of International Studies (MIIS)
• The New School
• New York University
• St. Michael's College
• SUNY at Buffalo
• SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
• SUNY at Stony Brook
• University of Massachusetts at Amherst
• University of Wisconsin-Madison