Undergraduate Program in Chinese
At MSU students major in East Asian Languages and Culture with concentration on Chinese since there is no "major in Chinese" per se. For covenience's sake, we use the terms "major and additional major in Chinese" in the following description. A student may choose Chinese as a single major (the principal or only major) or as an additional major (to combine a major in East Asian Languages and Cultures with a major in another field such as business, economics, English, international relations, political science, or another foreign language).
The undergraduate major in Chinese leads to the bachelor of arts degree and consists of required core and elective courses to complete a minimum of 33 semester credits. The program employs proficiency-based approaches to teaching Chinese, and emphasizes acquisition of all four language skills--speaking, listening, reading and writing.
When you elect a single major in East Asian languages and cultures, you will be assigned an advisor from thc Asian faculty who will help you plan your program to complete the degree requirements. If you attend MSU fulltime, you should be able to complete this degree in eight semesters or four years. In completing an additional (second) major, you automatically fulfill one of the college's two cognate requirements.
To become a Chinese major/additional major, please contact: Prof. Teng, Program Coordinator, tengc@msu.edu
Degree Requirements
Core requirements are courses in East Asian cultures, in the literature of Asia and the Asian diaspora, and second-, third-, and fourth-year Chinese language courses. In addition, you must fulfill two 12 credit cognate requirements of the College of Arts and Letters. A cognate is a cluster of courses in an area of study outside your major that is used to strengthen and diversify your knowledge and experience.
Single Major in Chinese
REQUIRED COURSES (Total 33 credits ):
| CHS 201 | Second-year Chinese I | (5 credits, fall) |
| CHS 202 | Second-year Chinese II | (5 credits, spring) |
| CHS 301 | Third-year Chinese I | (4 credits, fall) |
| CHS 302 | Third-year Chinese II | (4 credits, spring) |
| CHS 350 | Studies in the Chinese Language | (3 credits, spring) |
| CHS 401 | Fourth-year Chinese I | (3 credits, fall) |
| CHS 402 | Fourth-year Chinese II | (3 credits, spring) |
| ASN 401 | East Asian Cultures | (3 credits, fall) |
| ASN 464 | Studies East Asian Literatures | (3 credits, spring) |
TWO SETS OF COGNATES
- One set of courses (12 credits): Courses within the College of Arts and Letters, of which one course must be at 300/400 level.
- One set of courses (12 credits): Courses outside of College of Arts and Letters.
Additional (second) Major in Chinese
REQUIRED COURSES (Total 30 credits ):
| CHS 201 | Second-year Chinese I | (5 credits, fall) |
| CHS 202 | Second-year Chinese II | (5 credits, spring) |
| CHS 301 | Third-year Chinese I | (4 credits, fall) |
| CHS 302 | Third-year Chinese II | (4 credits, spring) |
| CHS 401 | Fourth-year Chinese I | (3 credits, fall) |
| CHS 402 | Fourth-year Chinese II | (3 credits, spring) |
TWO OUT OF THE FOLLOWING THREE COURSES:
| CHS 350 | Studies in the Chinese Language | (3 credits, spring) |
| ASN 401 | East Asian Cultures | (3 credits, fall) |
| ASN 464 | Studies in East Asian Literatures | (3 credits, spring) |
TWO SETS OF COGNATES
- One set of courses (12 credits): Courses both in and outside of the College of Arts and Letters, of which one course must be at 300/400 level.
- One set of courses (12 credits): Courses outside of the College of Arts and Letters.
For electives, you may choose from such courses as
- Studies in Chinese Languages
- Special Topics in Asian Languages
- Senior Thesis
- Independent Study
For more course information, please go to Description of courses for list of courses, including course descriptions and prerequisites, and go to Schedule of courses for course scheduling information for each semester, including class times and locations.
As a capstone to your studies, you conduct indepth research on a topic in East Asian cultures or literatures. You may choose special assignments in Asian languages while taking East Asian culture or literature courses, senior thesis research in Chinese, or a preapproved overseas study program.
For complete information about degree completion requirements and course descriptions, see the Academic Programs Catalog, available on line at: http://www.reg.msu.edu/UCC/AcademicPrograms.asp, or in hard copy from the Office of the Registrar, Michigan State University, 150 Administration Building, East Lansing, MI 48824-1046, 517/355-3300
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After Graduation
Besides providing the benefits of a liberal education with emphasis on critical thinking, effectiveness in speaking and writing, interpretation, and the pleasures of reading, a major in Chinese can lead you to exciting career opportunities. In the coming years, China will become an even greater presence in the world, and proficiency in Chinese and knowledge of East Asian cultures will open many doors in international careers in business, government, education, social services, and health, to name a few. Some of our recent graduates have been employed as English teachers or marketing representatives for U.S. firms in China.
If you choose to pursue a graduate degree, Chinese represent a highly desirable second language to help fulfill requirements and open opportunities in many graduate programs, including business, economics, history, international relations, law, and political science. Members of the East Asian faculty are ready to advise you in researching, identifying, and selecting programs that meet your interests and goals.
