Chinese Language and Culture Minor

Requirements

A student wishing to pursue a minor in Chinese language and culture should complete 18 credits in Chinese language, up to six of which may be substituted by coursework with a focus on Chinese literature and/or culture. There are five options to fulfill the requirements for the minor, as shown in the table below. For example, under Option 1, a student can take six Chinese language courses to fulfill the requirements for the minor; under Option 4, a student can take four Chinese language courses, one Chinese literature course, and one course with a focus on Chinese culture taught by a different academic unit to satisfy the requirements for the minor.

Loyola courses satisfying the Chinese language requirement:

CHIN 101: Chinese I
CHIN 102: Chinese II
CHIN 103: Chinese III
CHIN 104: Chinese IV
CHIN 190: Business Chinese I
CHIN 191: Business Chinese II
CHIN 250: Chinese Conversation and Composition
CHIN 251: Advanced Chinese Conversation and Composition I
CHIN 252: Advanced Chinese Conversation and Composition II
CHIN 253: Advanced Chinese Conversation and Composition III

Loyola courses satisfying the Chinese literature (optional) requirement:

LITR 245: Traditional Chinese Literature  
LITR 245: Folklore of China
LITR 245: China Through Literature and Film
LITR 245: Masterpieces of Chinese Fiction

Loyola courses satisfying the Chinese culture (optional) requirement:

ENVS 281C: Environmental Sustainability and Science in China
HIST 345A: Traditional China from Antiquity to 1550
HIST 346A: Early Modern China:1550-1800
HIST 346B: Reform & Revolution in China, 1800-1949
HIST 346C: History of Christianity in China
HIST 347A: China Since 1949: The People's Republic
HIST 347C: Cultural Revolution – China
HIST 347D: Modern Chinese History Through Film
PHIL 288: Culture and Civilization (when the focus is on China)
UCLR 100: Introduction to Chinese Culture

Learning outcomes

• For students taking the four-language-course option, possess an active vocabulary of 1,000-1,200 characters. For those taking five or six language courses to fulfill the minor’s requirements, their vocabulary should expand by approximately 300 characters for each additional course.
• For students taking the one- or two-literature-course option, demonstrate knowledge of some of the most important genres and works of literature associated with the major historical periods, for example, selections from Confucius’s Analects and Mencius’s poems.
• For students taking a course with an emphasis on China (e.g., in history, philosophy, political science) in partial fulfillment of the minor’s requirements, gain a basic understanding of the relevant historical periods and be able to discuss major events and their significance in China’s development.
• Be able to engage in conversations involving common topics such as study, work, career aspirations, family, and hobbies and demonstrate essential knowledge of Chinese culture.
• Be able to read and write routine documents such as email, letters, and applications using complete and grammatical sentences following appropriate cultural norms.

 A multitude of cultural activities in Chicago

Students taking Chinese language courses frequently participate in Chinese Club activities, which offer additional opportunities to practice speaking in Chinese with native speakers, watch Chinese films and shows, attend presentations on China-related topics, and discuss various aspects of Chinese culture.

Chicago offers a wide variety of venues that expose the student to Chinese culture. There are two Chinatowns in the city, the old one on the south side and the new one on the north side, where there are many stores, restaurants, and social service agencies where students can get a taste of Chinese culture firsthand and practice speaking the language. The Chinatown branch of the Chicago Public Libraries is an imposing all-glass building with over 14,000 books as well as audiovisual media in Chinese.

The Art Institute of Chicago (a first-rate art museum to which Loyola students enjoy free access with their university ID) and the Field Museum frequently have China exhibits, and the Chicago Symphony Center hosts a Chinese New Year’s celebration each spring with professional performers from China. Students taking Chinese classes at Loyola often participate with their teachers in such cultural activities as well as Chinese speech contests. Additionally, the Loyola Chinese Student Association hosts activities on campus celebrating major Chinese holidays.