Chinese is one of the world’s most widely spoken languages. Countless works of philosophy, literature, science, health, law, art, history, religion, and political science have been written in Chinese over thousands of years. Studying Chinese language and culture provides access to a deeper engagement with China’s rich past and dynamic present.
At Carleton, our curriculum is designed to enhance students’ translingual and transcultural competencies, deepening students’ understanding of Chinese studies as a diverse field. Our innovative teaching methods emphasize language proficiency and cross-cultural competence, whether students pursue a major, minor, or complete the basic language sequence.
We offer language courses at all levels, complemented by content courses in translation that cover a wide array of topics, including literature, philosophy, digital media, Chinese-language cinema, writing systems, and more. Our language and content courses work synergistically to facilitate exploration into the cultural and linguistic diversity of Chinese society, from pre-modern times to the present day.
Beyond Carleton, students are equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to develop a profound appreciation of different cultures and nations and to make positive contributions to a rapidly changing global society. Join us on an exciting journey of cultural discovery, linguistic mastery, and global engagement!
Language Courses
Introductory and intermediate courses focus on conversational skills and basic reading and writing, in a Chinese cultural context. Advanced courses deepen competence in written and spoken language and expose students to new literary genres, including short stories, documentary prose, and essays, as well as film.
Literature and Culture in Chinese
- Recent offerings include Contemporary Short Stories, Contemporary Fiction, and Mass Media (TV and film) and Social Commentary.
Literature and Culture in Translation
- Recent offerings include Chinese Popular Culture and Comparative Study of English and Chinese Short Stories.
Related Linguistics Courses
- Courses in Writing Systems and Historical Linguistics are both taught in the department, and deal extensively with aspects of the Chinese language and its history.
Majors and Minors
Students may petition for a special major in Chinese or they may focus on the study of language or literature as Asian Studies majors. Chinese courses are also an integral part of the East Asian Studies minor. A minor in Chinese language is offered by the college to students that have completed the requisite number of courses after 204.
For guidelines on applying for the Chinese Special Major contact Lei Yang, Department of Asian Languages & Literatures.