Chinese Studies Minor
The Chinese Studies minor is an interdisciplinary program combining language and culture courses on China. Students minoring in Chinese Studies are required to take courses in Chinese language at all levels, and are required to take courses in other departments and programs that focus on China in such areas as economics, politics, religion, history, art history, communication, anthropology, and folklore. Study abroad in China is encouraged. Credits from study in China will be transferred with faculty approval.
For those who are interested in majoring in Chinese, please visit our Individualized Majors program. An interdisciplinary Chinese major template, combining language and culture courses on China, is available. For more details, please contact the faculty in the Chinese program.
Willamette’s Chinese courses also contribute to the interdisciplinary major in Global Cultural Studies.
Requirements for Chinese Studies Minor (20 semester hours)
At least four language semester hours at or above the 300 level (4-12)
- CHNSE 231 Intermediate Chinese I (4)
- CHNSE 232 Intermediate Chinese II (4)
- CHNSE 331 Third Year Chinese I (4)
- CHNSE 332 Third Year Chinese II (4)
- CHNSE 490-491 Reading and Conference (2 or 4)*
At least eight culture semester hours at any level (8-16)
- ARTH 112 Introduction to South Asian Art History (4)
- ARTH 113 Introduction to Chinese Art History (4)
- ARTH 114 Introduction to Japanese Art History (4)
- ASIA 199, 299, 399, or 429 Topics in Asian Studies (4)
- CCM 258 Gender and Mass Communication in Asia (4)
- CHNSE 235 Chinese Language Practicum (1)
- CHNSE 254 Folklore and Identity (4)
- CHNSE 352 Rites of Passage in Chinese Societies (4)
- ECON 453 International Economics (4)
- HIST 118 East Asian Civilization since 1800 (4)
- HIST 131W Culture, Power, Society (topic dependent) (4)
- HIST 233 Asian Empires on the Silk Road (4)
- HIST 265 Late Imperial China (4)
- HIST 281 History of Modern Japan (4)
- HIST 282 China in Revolution 1911-1949 (4)
- HIST 331 Asian Environmental History (4)
- HIST 344W Studies in East Asian History (4)
- HIST 383 Mao's China (4)
- HIST 452W Topics in Chinese/Japanese History (4)
- JAPN 201W Modern Japanese Society and Culture (4)
- JAPN 314W Japanese Literature in Translation (4)
- JAPN 340 The Japanese Cinema (4)
- POLI 374 Asian and International System (4)
- POLI 380 Asian Politics and Development (4)
- REL 135 Religions of Asia (4)
- REL 354 Topics in Asian Religions (4)
*Only one of the Japan-focused courses may be counted toward the Chinese Studies Minor
Indicators of Achievement
We have identified three Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) that we expect our major students gain during their course of study in Chinese Study or Japanese Study at Willamette University.Student Learning Outcomes for the Japanese and Chinese Major
- Obtain Advanced level of language proficiency defined by the American Council for the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL)
- Gain a broad knowledge of the cultures of China or Japan through interdisciplinary approaches
- Demonstrate their interdisciplinary understanding of China or Japan by completing a project in the Senior Seminar
Course Listings
CHNSE 131 Elementary Chinese I (4)
Introduction to the fundamentals of spoken and written modern Mandarin Chinese. Classroom activity will center on oral-aural pattern drilling with student participation required. Emphasis will be on spoken Chinese but a Romanized writing system and Chinese characters will also be introduced. Language tapes will be available in the language lab and their regular use by students will be required.
- Offering: Annually
- Instructor: Zhang
CHNSE 132 Elementary Chinese II (4)
Introduction to the fundamentals of spoken and written modern Mandarin Chinese. Classroom activity will center on oral-aural pattern drilling with student participation required. Emphasis will be on spoken Chinese but a Romanized writing system and Chinese characters will also be introduced. Language tapes will be available in the language lab and their regular use by students will be required.
- Offering: Annually
- Instructor: Zhang
CHNSE 199 Topics in Chinese Studies (1-4)
A semester-long study of topics in Chinese Studies. Topics and emphases will vary according to the instructor. This course may be repeated for credit with different topics. See the New and Topics Courses page on the Registrar’s webpage for descriptions and applicability to majors/minors in other departments.
- General Education Requirement Fulfillment: Topic dependent
- Prerequisite: Topic dependent
- Offering: Occasionally
- Professor: Staff
CHNSE 231 Intermediate Chinese I (4)
Continued emphasis on speaking and listening with an increasing emphasis on reading and writing. Classroom time will be spent on oral-aural drills, dialogues, reading aloud, listening comprehension, and the production and recognition of Chinese written characters. Students will be required to do tape work and written assignments outside of the class as well as in-class presentations in Chinese.
CHNSE 232 Intermediate Chinese II (4)
Continued emphasis on speaking and listening with an increasing emphasis on reading and writing. Classroom time will be spent on oral-aural drills, dialogues, reading aloud, listening comprehension, and the production and recognition of Chinese written characters. Students will be required to do tape work and written assignments outside of the class as well as in-class presentations in Chinese.
CHNSE 235 Chinese Language Practicum (1)
This class has a two-fold purpose: to continue to develop proficient language skills in all aspects and to practice these skills through teaching or tutoring. In learning, we emphasize proficiency, and in teaching or tutoring, we stress accuracy and pedagogy. Various pedagogical approaches will be studied. Practice is carried out through various teaching opportunities on and off campus. May be repeated 2 times for credit.
- General Education Requirement Fulfillment: Arts & Humanities
- Prerequisite: CHNSE 232
- Offering: Alternate years
- Instructor: Zhang
CHNSE 254 Folklore and Identity (4)
This course examines various issues of identity through folklore practices in East Asia with focus on China. Topics include: language, ethnicity, myth and ritual, rites of passage, festivals, popular culture, folk arts, and Chinese/Asian American folklore and identity. Texts include those of Confucian, Daoist, and Buddhist thoughts and of disciplinary studies. By surveying the topics, analyzing the key texts and contexts, the participants will not only gain the knowledge of the topics but also learn to apply some disciplinary methods to interpret text and practice. The course will include lectures, discussions, debates, presentations, and various projects.
- General Education Requirement Fulfillment: Arts & Humanities
- Offering: Alternate years
- Instructor: Zhang
CHNSE 299 Topics in Chinese Studies (1-4)
A semester-long study of topics in Chinese Studies. Topics and emphases will vary according to the instructor. This course may be repeated for credit with different topics. See the New and Topics Courses page on the Registrar’s webpage for descriptions and applicability to majors/minors in other departments.
- General Education Requirement Fulfillment: Topic dependent
- Prerequisite: Topic dependent
- Offering: Occasionally
- Professor: Staff
CHNSE 331 Third Year Chinese I (4)
Continued development of proficient language skills in speaking, listening, reading, writing, and translating. In addition, interpreting and analyzing text from cultural studies and media studies perspectives are strongly emphasized. Comparative analysis of translations will be integrated in the interpretation of text. Rapid vocabulary expansion, correct use of grammar points, proficient use of the language in spoken and written forms, critical views in understanding the content and means of media, and cultural analysis of the text are the major goals.
- General Education Requirement Fulfillment: Arts & Humanities
- Prerequisite: CHNSE 232
- Offering: Fall
- Instructor: Zhang
CHNSE 332 Third Year Chinese II (4)
By reading the selections from Chinese classics of different philosophical and literary schools, and by translating and comparing translations, participants will continue improving their language proficiency, meanwhile learning to read the original text, understand the interpretation, gain their own perspectives, and analyze the interpretation of the text through historical and social context. Readings include texts of such ideas a Confucianism, Daoism, Legalism, classic poetry, and modern fictions and non-fictions.
- General Education Requirement Fulfillment: Arts & Humanities
- Prerequisite: CHNSE 331
- Offering: Alternate springs
- Instructor: Zhang
CHNSE 335 Advanced Chinese Practicum (1)
Based on learning by doing in language and culture studies, this course provides students with the opportunity to facilitate their linguistic and cultural competency by putting their knowledge into actions. Students in this course will identifying helpful Chinese readings and assignments and tutoring elementary and intermediate level Chinese learners at Willamette University.
- Prerequisite: CHNSE 331
- Offering: Alternate years
- Instructor: Wen
CHNSE 352 Rites of Passage in Chinese Societies (4)
This course focuses on the rites of passage practiced by the Chinese in and outside China. The rites of passage includes the life-cycle rituals of birth-marriage-death, seasonal festivals, and other types like the rite of "firsts." Chinese ritual symbols like bell, flute, pig and cloud will be analyzed. Related issues like beliefs, tales, gender, age, and ethnicity will be studied in depth. Participants will learn and apply related ideas from various disciplines like folkloristics, anthropology, sociology, philosophy, linguistics, history and religious studies. The readings include translations of the ancient ritual books and contemporary studies. Historical and cultural context will be emphasized in understanding the Chinese everyday ritual practices. The goal of the course is to provide the students a platform to learn the subject as a body of knowledge, and as a disciplinary field, and to be equipped with some theories in understanding the making and maintaining of identity in multicultural environments.
- General Education Requirement Fulfillment: Arts & Humanities, Social Sciences
- Offering: Alternate years
- Instructor: Zhang
CHNSE 399 Topics in Chinese Studies (1-4)
A semester-long study of topics in Chinese Studies. Topics and emphases will vary according to the instructor. This course may be repeated for credit with different topics. See the New and Topics Courses page on the Registrar’s webpage for descriptions and applicability to majors/minors in other departments.
- General Education Requirement Fulfillment: Topic dependent
- Prerequisite: Topic dependent
- Offering: Occasionally
- Professor: Staff
CHNSE 429 Topics in Chinese Studies (1-4)
A semester-long study of topics in Chinese Studies. Topics and emphases will vary according to the instructor. This course may be repeated for credit with different topics. See the New and Topics Courses page on the Registrar’s webpage for descriptions and applicability to majors/minors in other departments.
- General Education Requirement Fulfillment: Topic dependent
- Prerequisite: Topic dependent
- Offering: Occasionally
- Professor: Staff
CHNSE 431 Reading in Humanities (4)
Continues to improve speaking, listening, reading and writing Chinese with materials on various subjects in physical and social sciences, as well as in humanities. Emphasizing a solid mastery of basic grammar and vocabulary, this course also focuses on improving linguistic competence and deepening the understanding of Chinese culture.
- General Education Requirement Fulfillment: Arts & Humanities
- Prerequisite: CHNSE 332
- Offering: Annually
- Instructor: Staff
CHNSE 432 Introduction to Classical Chinese Texts and Thoughts (4)
Continues to improve speaking, listening, reading and writing of modern Chinese. Learn classical Chinese grammar, and read various classical texts. Translating classical Chinese into modern Chinese is daily exercise. Communicative competence and cultural understanding are emphasized. Different ancient thoughts are introduced along with the texts from Confucian, Daoist, Legalist, Yin-Yang, and other schools.
- General Education Requirement Fulfillment: Arts & Humanities
- Prerequisite: CHNSE 431
- Offering: Annually
- Instructor: Staff
CHNSE 490-491 Reading and Conference (2 or 4 each)
Designed to enable the participants to function with modern Chinese in various areas, and to introduce classic Chinese. The in-depth reading, discussion, conference, and composition cover topics such as literature, history, philosophy, religion, and folklore. In addition to the textbooks, materials from the media on current issues as well as films will also be included.
- General Education Requirement Fulfillment: Arts & Humanities
- Prerequisite: CHNSE 331
- Offering: Alternate years
- Instructor: Zhang
CHNSE 499W Senior Seminar (4)
Provides a framework for students to develop a research project or other equivalent activity in consultation with faculty. The objective of the Senior Year Experience will be to consolidate and integrate the student's knowledge of Japan and/or China and the fields of Japanese Studies and/or Chinese Studies. Conducted in English.
- General Education Requirement Fulfillment: Writing-centered; Arts & Humanities
- Offering: Spring
- Instructor: Staff