Chinese

This is an archived copy of the 2016-17 Catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.norwich.edu/.

Associate Professor Xiaoping Song, Assistant Professor Xingbo Li (Program Director)

The Chinese Program offers a wide range of courses that promote language learning and the development of intercultural competence necessary for communication in Chinese. The curriculum focuses on a balanced development of language and cultural competence across proficiency levels. All students are encouraged to participate in the cultural activities organized by the Chinese Club and to immerse themselves in Chinese culture on and off campus. Chinese majors are required to study abroad for one full semester, normally in the fall of their senior year, in an approved program in China.

All incoming students will take the foreign language placement test before registering for a Chinese course. 

Goals:

Students will communicate in Chinese at an intermediate high or advanced low level fluently and accurately with an appropriate breadth of vocabulary, enhance their understanding of the Chinese culture, and develop their critical thinking skills. The Chinese Program uses the Proficiency Guidelines from the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Language to achieve the learning goals.  

Outcomes:

Upon graduation, students majoring in Chinese will be able to:

  • reach intermediate-high to advanced-low level of proficiency in the areas of listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
  • read authentic Chinese writings and recognize approximately 2700 characters and 5000 compounds.
  • have a comprehensive understanding of Chinese values and beliefs.
  • develop critical skills to analyze Chinese cultural materials. 

Careers for this Major:
  • Law Enforcement
  • Military Service
  • Diplomacy
  • Education
  • Business
  • Social Services
  • Health Care 
  • Politics
  • Environmental Science 
  • Advertising and Mass Media

B.A. in Chinese - Curriculum Map 2016-2017 Catalog

Print PDF Curriculum Map

Freshman
FallCr.SpringCr.
CN 111 Beginning Chinese I (If CN 205 or higher is taken, an additional 3 credit elective must be taken; total credits must be 6)C6CN 112 Beginning Chinese II (If CN 205 or higher is taken, an additional 3 credit elective must be taken; total credits must be 6)C6
EN 101 Composition and Literature I3EN 102 Composition and Literature II3
General Education Math3General Education Math3
Free Elective3General Education Social Science3
Semester Total Credits15Semester Total Credits15
Sophomore
FallCr.SpringCr.
CN 205 Intermediate Chinese IC3CN 206 Intermediate Chinese IIC3
EN 201 World Literature I (B.A. Requirement)3EN 202 World Literature II (B.A. Requirement)3
General Education Ethics3General Education Lab Science4
General Education Lab Science4HI 211 Early East Asian Civilizations or 212 Modern East Asian Civilizations (General Education History (OR))3
Free Elective3
HI 315 Modern China
 
 Free Elective3
Semester Total Credits16Semester Total Credits16
Junior
FallCr.SpringCr.
CN 301 Advanced Chinese IC3CN 302 Advanced Chinese IIC3
CN 300 level electiveC3CN 300 level electiveC3
HI 212 Modern East Asian Civilizations or 211 Early East Asian Civilizations (OR HI 315)3B.A. Social Science Elective3
General Education Literature3Free Elective3
Free Elective3Free Elective3
Semester Total Credits15Semester Total Credits15
Senior
FallCr.SpringCr.
Study Abroad CN 300 Level Electives1 C15CN 300 levelC3
 CN 399 CapstoneC3
 Free Elective 3
 Free Elective 3
 Free Elective3
Semester Total Credits15Semester Total Credits15
Total Credits For This Major: 122
1

Students are required to participate in a study abroad program, normally during the fall semester of the junior or senior year, in China or Taiwan.  

*

Summer study in China , Taiwan, or Middlebury College (6 – 9 credits, depending on placement) is also highly recommended. See the Chinese program director.

C

 Courses must be completed with a grade of C or higher

Chinese Minor Curriculum Map 2016-2017 Catalog

All courses require a grade of C or higher.  The courses required to complete the minor depend on the foreign-language proficiency level of the incoming student. See tracks A and B below:

A. Track A is to completed by students who enter Norwich at or below the Intermediate level:

CN 205Intermediate Chinese I3
CN 206Intermediate Chinese II3
CN Elective (250 or higher)3
CN Elective (301 of higher)3
CN Elective (301 or higher)3
CN Elective (301 or higher)3
Total Cr.18

 B.  Track B is to be completed by students who place above the Intermediate level.

CN Elective (301 or higher)3
CN Elective (301 or higher)3
CN Elective (301 or higher)3
CN Elective (301 or higher)3
CN Elective (301 or higher)3
CN Elective (301 or higher)3
Total Cr.18

Courses

CN 111 Beginning Chinese I 6 Cr.

An intensive course providing an introduction to the Mandarin language, including both traditional Chinese characters and the Pinyin transliteration system. In this course, speaking proficiency (including familiarization with Chinese tones), aural comprehension, vocabulary acquisition, reading and writing of Chinese characters are brought to a level enabling students to use the language actively in everyday situations. Classroom 6 hours, laboratory 2 hours. Not open to students who have successfully completed CN 205 or higher. Prerequiste: Appropriate score on placement exam.

CN 112 Beginning Chinese II 6 Cr.

A continuation of CN 111, with continued emphasis on each of the language skill areas--speaking, listening, vocabulary, reading and writing. Classroom 6 hours, laboratory 2 hours. Prerequisite: CN 111 or equivalent NU placement. Not open to students who have suceessfully completed CN 205 or higher.

CN 1XX Chinese Elective 3 Cr.

CN 205 Intermediate Chinese I 3 Cr.

A course providing aural-oral practice in Chinese, in which students enter into full discussion of topics that include abstract themes and cultural perspectives; includes the expanded use of syntactical structures, the reading of sophisticated material, composition, and the viewing of selected Chinese films and documentary materials from Chinese-language television. Taught in Chinese. Classroom 3 hours, laboratory 1 hour. Prerequisite: CN 112, NU language placement exam, or permission of the instructor.

CN 206 Intermediate Chinese II 3 Cr.

A course providing aural-oral practice in Chinese, in which students enter into full discussion of topics that include abstract themes and cultural perspectives; includes the expanded use of syntactical structures, the reading of sophisticated material, composition, and the viewing of selected Chinese films and documentary materials from Chinese television. Taught in Chinese. Classroom 3 hours, laboratory 1 hour. Prerequisite: CN 205 or the equivalent, NU language placement exam. 3 lecture hours.

CN 2XX Intermediate Chinese Elective 3 Cr.

CN 301 Advanced Chinese I 3 Cr.

Oral and written practice of the language through class discussions of selected Chinese texts. Selective review of grammar, especially of the more difficult and subtle aspects, designed to facilitate an idiomatic and fluent use of the language. Classroom 3 hours. Prerequisite: CN 206, NU placement, or permission of instructor.

CN 302 Advanced Chinese II 3 Cr.

Oral and written practice of the language through class discussions of selected Chinese texts. Selective review of grammar, especially of the more difficult and subtle aspects, designed to facilitate an idiomatic and fluent use of the language. Classroom: 3 hours. Prerequisite: CN 301, NU placement, or permission of instructor.

CN 311 Media Chinese 3 Cr.

This course builds students’ Chinese media literacy by systematically exposing them to Chinese broadcast news, newspapers, online news and videos, and TV shows. This course aims to develop all five language skills areas: listening, speaking, reading, writing, and control of the necessary background information (cultural competency) with particular emphasis on the challenges posed by the rapid pace of radio and TV news broadcasts. Topics include, but are not limited to, daily news broadcasts, economic, cultural and sports news. Each topic integrates authentic audiovisual and print materials from various media resources. Taught in Chinese. Prerequisites: CN 301 (may be taken concurrently) or NU placement test results. 3 lecture hours per week. Fall term even years.

CN 321 Chinese Literature, Culture and Society I 1911-1949 3 Cr.

Introduction to major currents in Chinese social, literary, and cultural history from 1911 to 1949. Taught in Chinese. Prerequisite: CN 301 (may be taken concurrently), NU placement, or permission of instructor.

CN 322 Chinese Literature, Culture and Society II 1949-Present 3 Cr.

Introduction to major currents in Chinese social, literary, and cultural history from 1949 to present. Taught in Chinese. Classroom: 3 hours. Prerequisite: CN 301 (may be taken concurrently), NU placement, or permission of instructor.

CN 331 Advanced Chinese Composition and Conversation (I) 3 Cr.

A study of original Chinese journalistic texts to elevate students’ Chinese language proficiency in writing and composition, oral reports and discussion, reading and comprehension, and in Chinese-English/English-Chinese translation. Prerequisite: CN 302 (may be taken concurrently), NU language placement test, or permission of the instructor. 3 lecture hours.

CN 332 Advanced Chinese Composition and Conversation (II) 3 Cr.

A study of original Chinese literary texts to elevate students’ Chinese language proficiency in writing and composition, oral reports and discussion, reading and comprehension, and in Chinese-English/English-Chinese translation. Prerequisite: CN 331 (may be taken concurrently), NU language placement test, or permission of the instructor. 3 lecture hours.

CN 365 Chinese Literature, Culture and Society III: 221 BCE-1911 3 Cr.

A survey of representative Chinese classical works – novels, short stories. Prose, poetry, and traditional operatic dramas – during Qin Dynasty (221-226 BCE), Han Dynasty (960-1279), Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). Lectures, readings, discussions and written reports in Chinese. Prerequisite: CN 301 (may be taken concurrently), NU language placement test, or permission of the instructor. 3 lecture hours.

CN 366 Chinese Literature, Culture and Society IV: Beginning-221 BCE 3 Cr.

A survey of Chinese literary, historical and philosophical writings, legends. Folklore, myth, songs, and poems from Zhou Dynasty (1045 BCE-256 BCE), Shang Dynasty (1600 BCE- 1046 BCE), Xia Dynasty (2100 BCE-1600 BCE) and before. Lectures, readings, discussions and written reports in Chinese. Prerequisite: CN 301 (may be taken concurrently), NU language placement test, or permission of the instructor. 3 lecture hours.

CN 399 Topics 3 Cr.

CN 3XX Advanced Chinese Elective 3 Cr.