Chinese

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The Chinese language (Mandarin) has been defined as one of the "critical" or "strategic" languages by the U.S. government. The increasing demand world-wide for proficiency in Mandarin in many different fields shows the importance of this language. Students in OU's Chinese program not only gain important skills in the four aspects of the language: listening, speaking, reading and writing, but they also get insight into and understanding of the country, culture, people and society through literature and culture courses, as well as study abroad programs.

Degrees Offered

Students graduate with a Concentration in Chinese within the World Languages and Cultures BA. A student can then choose to pursue a Master of Arts, Master of Arts/Master of Business Administration or Doctor of Philosophy degree.

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Chinese at OU

Why Study Chinese at OU?

The Chinese language (Mandarin) has been defined as one of the "critical" or "strategic" languages by the U.S. government
Increasing demand world-wide for proficiency in Mandarin in many different fields
Students in OU's Chinese program not only gain important skills in the four aspects of the language: listening, speaking, reading and writing, but they also get insight into and understanding of the country, culture, people and society through literature and culture courses, as well as study abroad programs
OU has one of the best study-abroad programs in the country
OU has taught Chinese for 30 years

Career Opportunities

Language teacher
Museum curator
Interpreter
Communications officer
Flight attendant
Travel agent
Immigration/customs officer
Diplomatic services officer
Import/export broker
Social services worker
Translator

Courses Offered

CHIN 1115. Beginning Chinese 5 Credit Hours.
- An elementary course in understanding, speaking, reading and writing Mandarin Chinese. This course does not count for major credit in the Department of Modern Languages, Literatures and Linguistics. (F) [I-FL].
CHIN 1225. Beginning Chinese (Continued) 5 Credit Hours.
- Prerequisite: 1115. Continued training in understanding, speaking, reading and writing elementary Mandarin Chinese. This course does not count for major credit in the Department of Modern Languages, Literatures and Linguistics. (Sp) [I-FL].
CHIN 2113. Intermediate Chinese 3 Credit Hours.
- Prerequisite: 1225. Combination of basic Chinese grammar and vocabulary and their application to spoken and written Mandarin Chinese. (F)
CHIN 2223. Intermediate Chinese (Continued) 3 Credit Hours.
- Prerequisite: 2113. Continued training in the use of grammar and vocabulary in both spoken and written Mandarin Chinese. (Sp)
CHIN 2323. Intermediate Listening and Speaking 3 Credit Hours.
- Prerequisite: permission of department. Serves as the prerequisite for Chinese 3113 (Advanced Chinese I.) Assignments and class activities include immersion in daily family-type communication, conversations and functioning in daily business activities, travel and functioning at the intermediate proficiency level. Upon completion, students will have developed the languages skills that will allow them to function with most daily situations in a Chinese-speaking country. (F, Sp)
CHIN 2970. Special Topics/Seminar 1-3 Credit Hours.
- Special Topics. 1 to 3 hours. May be repeated; Maximum credit nine hours. Special topics course for content not currently offered in regularly scheduled courses. May include library and/or laboratory research, and field projects. (Irreg.)
CHIN 3113. Advanced Chinese I 3 Credit Hours.
- Prerequisite: CHIN 2223 and CHIN 2323 or equivalent. An integrated advanced course designed to improve skills in the four aspects of learning Mandarin Chinese as a foreign language: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Emphasis is on the phonetics of standard Mandarin Chinese and conversation on topics in daily life. (F)
CHIN 3223. Advanced Chinese II 3 Credit Hours.
- Prerequisite: 3113 or equivalent. Continue to improve skills in the four aspects of learning Mandarin Chinese as a foreign language: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Emphasis on composition and advanced-level reading comprehension. (Sp.)
CHIN 3323. Advanced Listening and Speaking.3 Credit Hours.
- Prerequisite: 2223. Develops listening and speaking skills of students who have taken intermediate Chinese. Conversations are presented in authentic and naturally-paced language. Lessons are constructed to support existing knowledge and develop mastery of new vocabulary, grammatical patterns, and sociocultural formalities in ways that are compatible with genuine communication. (F)
CHIN 3440. Mentored Research Experience 3 Credit Hours.
- 0 to 3 hours. Prerequisites: ENGL 1113 or equivalent, and permission of instructor. May be repeated; maximum credit 12 hours. For the inquisitive student to apply the scholarly processes of the discipline to a research or creative project under the mentorship of a faculty member. Student and instructor should complete an Undergraduate Research & Creative Projects (URCP) Mentoring Agreement and file it with the URCP office. Not for honors credit. (F, Sp, Su)
CHIN 3623. Business Chinese 3 Credit Hours.
- Prerequisite: permission of department. Designed for students who have completed at least two years basic Chinese language learning and have an interest in business-related communications with Chinese- speaking people. Aims to prepare students with the language skills and cultural knowledge for a globalized economy through learning the vocabulary, usages, customs and conventions required for business activities with China. (F)
CHIN 3960. Honors Reading.1 3 Credit Hours.
- 1 to 3 hours. Prerequisite: Admission to Honors Program. May be repeated; maximum credit six hours. Consists of topics designated by the instructor in keeping with the student's major program. The topics will cover materials not usually presented in the regular courses. (F, Sp, Su)
CHIN 3970. Honors Seminar.1 3 Credit Hours.
- 1 to 3 hours. Prerequisite: admission to Honors Program. May be repeated; maximum credit six hours. Subjects covered vary. Deals with concepts not usually treated in regular courses. (Irreg.)
CHIN 3980. Honors Research.1 3 Credit Hours.
- 1 to 3 hours. Prerequisite: Admission to Honors Program. May be repeated; maximum credit six hours. Will provide an opportunity for the gifted Honors candidate to work at a special project in the student's field. (F, Sp, Su)
CHIN 3990. Independent Study.1 3 Credit Hours.
- 1 to 3 hours. Prerequisite: two courses in Chinese; permission of instructor and department. May be repeated; maximum credit six hours. Contracted independent study for topic not currently offered in regularly scheduled courses. Independent study may include library and/or laboratory research and field projects. (F, Sp)
CHIN 4113. Advanced Reading and Writing 3 Credit Hours.
- Prerequisite: 3223. Advanced reading and comprehension of authentic Chinese texts. Development of good writing skills with correct usage of grammar. (Sp)
CHIN 4333. Translating Chinese 3 Credit Hours.
- Prerequisite: CHIN 3113. Assists advanced Chinese major or minor students attain better Chinese-to-English translation skills through practical training and hands-on instruction. The emphasis is on comprehension of original Chinese texts, with particular attention to idioms and expressions. (Irreg.)
CHIN 4533. Learning Chinese through Media 3 Credit Hours.
- Prerequisite: CHIN 3113 or equivalent. Intended for advanced students to enhance their reading/listening proficiency in modern Chinese language and further develop their self-learning skills. Students will be immersed in a simulacrum of Chinese media by reading Chinese news reports; watching Chinese news videos, short films, and TV programs; and using the Chinese encyclopedia. (F)
CHIN 4543. Study of Classical Chinese and Calligraphy 3 Credit Hours.
- Prerequisite: CHIN 3223. Major aspects covered include 1) grammatical structures of classical Chinese compared to modern Chinese; 2) lexical and semantic features of most commonly used words and phrases; 3) reading and understanding of simple texts from the classics; 4) cultural perspectives to appreciate Chinese heritage texts, paintings and calligraphy. (F)
CHIN 4960. Directed Readings.1 4 Credit Hours.
- 1 to 4 hours. Prerequisite: good standing in University; permission of instructor and dean. May be repeated; maximum credit four hours. Designed for upper-division students who need opportunity to study a specific problem in greater depth than formal course content permits. (Irreg.)
CHIN 4970. Special Topics/Seminar.1 3 Credit Hours.
- 1 to 3 hours. Prerequisite: Senior standing or permission of instructor. May be repeated; maximum credit nine hours. Special topics or seminar course for content not currently offered in regularly scheduled courses. May include library and/or laboratory research and field projects. (Irreg.)
CHIN 4990. Independent Study.1 3 Credit Hours.
- 1 to 3 hours. Prerequisite: four courses in Chinese and general area to be studied; permission of instructor and department. May be repeated; maximum credit six hours. Contracted independent study for topic not currently offered in regularly scheduled courses. Independent study may include library and/or laboratory research and field projects. (F, Sp, Su)
CHIN 4993. Senior Capstone for Chinese 3 Credit Hours.
- Prerequisite: Senior standing or permission of instructor. Designed to serve as the senior capstone experience for the Chinese major. Students will study linguistic theory, technique, and methodology. Includes reading in critical analysis as preparation for writing assignments and final project to be written in Chinese. (F) [V].