Chinese
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.
Goals:
Students learn to communicate in Chinese at an intermediate high or advanced low level fluently and accurately with an appropriate breadth of vocabulary, enhance their understanding of 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 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.
- demonstrate an extensive understanding of Chinese values and beliefs.
- use 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 2018-2019 Catalog
| Freshman | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Cr. | Comp. | Spring | Cr. | Comp. |
| CN 121 Beginning Chinese I | 4 | CN 122 Beginning Chinese II | 4 | ||
| EN 101 Composition and Literature I | 3 | EN 102 Composition and Literature II | 3 | ||
| General Education Math | 3 | General Education Math | 3 | ||
| Free Elective | 3 | General Education Social Science | 3 | ||
| Free Elective | 3 | Free Elective | 3 | ||
| Fall Semester Total Cr.: | 16 | Spring Semester Total Cr.: | 16 | ||
| Sophomore | |||||
| Fall | Cr. | Comp. | Spring | Cr. | Comp. |
| CN 205 Intermediate Chinese I c | 3 | CN 206 Intermediate Chinese II c | 3 | ||
| BA Intercultural Elective | 3 | HI 211 Early East Asian Civilizations (General Education History) | 3 | ||
| General Education Ethics | 3 | BA Intercultural Elective | 3 | ||
| General Education Lab Science | 4 | General Education Lab Science | 4 | ||
| General Education Leadership | 1-3 | Free Elective | 3 | ||
| Fall Semester Total Cr.: | 14-16 | Spring Semester Total Cr.: | 16 | ||
| Junior | |||||
| Fall | Cr. | Comp. | Spring | Cr. | Comp. |
| CN 301 Advanced Chinese I c | 3 | CN 302 Advanced Chinese II c | 3 | ||
| CN 300-Level Elective C | 3 | CN 300-Level Elective c | 3 | ||
| HI 212 Modern East Asian Civilizations | 3 | General Education Arts & Humanities | 3 | ||
| General Education Literature | 3 | Free Elective | 3 | ||
| Free Elective | 3 | Free Elective | 3 | ||
| Fall Semester Total Cr.: | 15 | Spring Semester Total Cr.: | 15 | ||
| Senior | |||||
| Fall | Cr. | Comp. | Spring | Cr. | Comp. |
| Study Abroad CN 300-Level Electives 1 c | 9 | CN 300-Level Elective c | 3 | ||
| Study Abroad Free Elective | 3 | CN 415 Senior Seminar (General Education Capstone) c | 3 | ||
| Study Abroad Free Elective | 3 | Free Elective | 3 | ||
| Free Elective | 3 | ||||
| Free Elective | 3 | ||||
| Fall Semester Total Cr.: | 15 | Spring Semester Total Cr.: | 15 | ||
| TOTAL CREDITS FOR THIS MAJOR: 122-124 | |||||
| 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. Up to three courses from study abroad may count toward completion of the Chinese major. |
| * | Summer study in China, Taiwan, or Middlebury College (6-9 credits, depending on placement) is also highly recommended. See the Chinese program director. |
| c | Grade of C or higher required |
Chinese Minor Curriculum Map 2018-2019 Catalog
All courses require a grade of C or higher. The courses required to complete the minor depend on the Chinese-language proficiency level of the incoming student. See tracks A and B below:
A. Track A is to be completed by students who enter Norwich at or below the Intermediate level:
| CN 205 | Intermediate Chinese I | 3 |
| CN 206 | Intermediate Chinese II | 3 |
| CN Elective (250 or higher) | 3 | |
| CN Elective (301 or 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 initially 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 121 Beginning Chinese I 4 Cr.
Students progress along the first steps towards acquiring basic languages skills: speaking, listening, reading, and writing, with a focus on their use for several modes of communication, such as the interpersonal, the interpretive, and the informative, within the context of the cultures of the Chinese-speaking world. For students with little or no previous exposure to Chinese 4 lecture hours. Pre-reqs: none.
CN 122 Beginning Chinese II 4 Cr.
Students continue progress toward novice-high skill levels in speaking, listening, reading, and writing - and their use in several modes of communication: the interpersonal, the interpretive, and the informative - all within the context of the cultures of the Chinese-speaking world. 4 lecture hours. Pre-req: CN 121 or the equivalent score on the Foreign Language Placement Test.
CN 1XX Chinese Transfer Elective 3 Cr.
This course is used for transfer when no equivalent Norwich course exists.
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 Transfer Elective 3 Cr.
This course is used for transfer when no equivalent Norwich course exists.
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 312 Business Chinese 3 Cr.
This course provides an overview of China's changing macro-economic enviornment and current buisness practices relating to finance and marketing. Buisness knowledge is presented as a means to facilitate language learning. Emphasis will be given to a higher level of language proficiency and acquisition of a wide range of vocabulary, common phrases, and other linguistic conventions designed to prepare students for the world of buisness. Topics include, but are not limited to, open door policy, China's banking reforms, the stock market, and marketing. Taught in Chinese. Prerequisites: CN 301 (may be taken concurrently) or permission of the instructor. 3 lecture hours per week.
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 399EN Topics 3 Cr.
CN 3XX Advanced Chinese Transfer Elective 3 Cr.
This course is used for transfer when no equivalent Norwich course exists.
CN 415 Senior Seminar 3 Cr.
This course is an integrative capstone experience for all chinese majors in the last semester of their senior year. This course encourages independent thinking, intensive student participation, and in-depth research on topics of the student's choice related to the seminar's topic. This course helps students improve their ability to read, write and talk about politics, buisness and popular culture in China. Topics include, but not limited to, popular culture, social change, cultural traditions, history and politics. Each topic integrates authentic audiovisual and print materials from various media resources. Taught in Chinese. Open to Chinese majors in their senior year, or others with permission of the instructure. 3 class hours per week. Taught every year in the spring semester.