Chinese Language Program
The University of Kansas offers Chinese through the Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures (EALC).
Why Study Chinese?
China has one of the fastest economic growth rates in the world and holds one quarter of the world's population. It is a country with an ancient and fascinating history, and a complex and interesting role to play in the present. The University of Kansas has taught Chinese since 1959 and has since had the strongest Chinese language program in the Great Plains.
Students can use Chinese to fulfill a language requirement, or as part of numerous degree programs, including majors, minors and graduate degrees.
Knowledge of Chinese language and culture is an asset in a wide range of careers. Students taking Chinese can also apply for scholarships for language study, including FLAS Fellowships.
Available Courses
KU offers elementary through advanced coursework in Chinese. See all courses taught at KU below, or check out our list of what's offered for the current semester. For placement information visit the School of Languages, Literatures and Cultures.
- CHIN 100 Elementary Conversational Chinese I
- Three hours of class per week plus outside use of recorded text materials. Basic spoken language instruction intended primarily for beginners planning travel or work in China and Taiwan. Introduction to basic written characters. Does not fulfill College of Liberal Arts and Sciences foreign language distribution requirements or department major and minor requirements. LEC.
Spring 2020 Type Time/Place and Instructor Credit Hours Class # LEC Pan, Yue
MW 04:00-05:30 PM KS-ST FTLV - OFF CAMPUS3 58890 - CHIN 101 Elementary Conversational Chinese II
- Continuation of CHIN 100. Prerequisite: CHIN 100 or equivalent. LEC.
The class is not offered for the Spring 2020 semester.
- CHIN 102 Beginning Chinese I
- Taught mainly in the summer, this course covers about 75% of the material in CHIN 104, upon which this course is modeled. LEC.
The class is not offered for the Spring 2020 semester.
- CHIN 104 Elementary Chinese I
- Three hours of lecture and three hours of spoken drill each week. An introduction to spoken and written modern standard Chinese (Mandarin). Not open to students with native ability in Mandarin or Chinese dialect. Students who have any previous knowledge of Chinese must take a placement exam before enrolling in Chinese classes at K.U. Consult Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures for details. LEC.
The class is not offered for the Spring 2020 semester.
- CHIN 106 Elementary Chinese for Advanced Beginners
- This course is designed for students who have already acquired some elementary Chinese language abilities (in high school or from family), but cannot be placed in CHIN 108, Elementary Chinese II. The course focuses on perfecting listening, speaking, reading and writing skills, and prepares students for CHIN 108. For admission to the class, students must take the EALC Chinese placement exam, be interviewed by designated instructors, and approved. LEC.
The class is not offered for the Spring 2020 semester.
- CHIN 108 Elementary Chinese II
- Continuation of CHIN 104. Prerequisite: CHIN 101, CHIN 104, or equivalent. LEC.
Spring 2020 Type Time/Place and Instructor Credit Hours Class # LEC Pan, Yue
TuTh 09:30-10:45 AM DHDC 2096 - LAWRENCE5 40914 LEC Li, Yan
TuTh 11:00-12:15 PM MS 104 - LAWRENCE5 44307 LBN Wang, Hui
MWF 10:00-10:50 AM WES 1046 - LAWRENCE5 44309 LBN Gong, Shuxiao
MWF 11:00-11:50 AM WES 4010 - LAWRENCE5 56306 LBN Gong, Shuxiao
MWF 12:00-12:50 PM WES 4010 - LAWRENCE5 40916 - CHIN 148 Intensive Elementary Chinese
- An accelerated one semester course in elementary Chinese, covering the material of CHIN 104 and CHIN 108. Classes meet for two hours of lecture and one hour of drill daily. Emphasis on spoken language with grammar and readings in selected texts. No prerequisite. LEC.
The class is not offered for the Spring 2020 semester.
- CHIN 177 FIrst Year Seminar: _____
- A limited-enrollment, seminar course for first-time freshmen, addressing current issues in Chinese. Course is designed to meet the critical thinking learning outcome of the KU Core. First-Year Seminar topics are coordinated and approved by the Office of First-Year Experience. Prerequisite: First-time freshman status. LEC.
The class is not offered for the Spring 2020 semester.
- CHIN 204 Intermediate Chinese I
- Continuation of CHIN 108. Three hours of lecture and three hours of spoken drill. Prerequisite: CHIN 108 or equivalent. LEC.
The class is not offered for the Spring 2020 semester.
- CHIN 206 Intermediate Chinese Conversation
- Practice in speaking, presentation of prepared talks, and guided discussions. This course is primarily used to award transfer credit and does not fulfill any portion of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences foreign language requirement. Prerequisite: CHIN 204 or equivalent. FLD.
The class is not offered for the Spring 2020 semester.
- CHIN 208 Intermediate Chinese II
- Continuation of CHIN 204. Prerequisite: CHIN 204. LEC.
Spring 2020 Type Time/Place and Instructor Credit Hours Class # LEC Lou, Haining
TuTh 11:00-12:15 PM WES 4010 - LAWRENCE5 48122 LEC Lou, Haining
TuTh 01:00-02:15 PM WES 4010 - LAWRENCE5 48120 LBN Hu, Connie Chu Yun
MWF 11:00-11:50 AM WES 4014 - LAWRENCE5 48121 LBN Liu, Chang
MWF 12:00-12:50 PM WES 4041 - LAWRENCE5 56307 - CHIN 251 Reading and Writing Chinese I
- Designed for students, Chinese heritage speakers as well as second-language Chinese learners, who wish to learn or improve their abilities in reading and writing Chinese characters. Focuses on the 500 most commonly used Chinese characters and the major concepts essential for reading and writing Chinese characters. Chinese culture, customs and history that are reflected in Chinese characters will also be introduced. LEC.
The class is not offered for the Spring 2020 semester.
- CHIN 252 Reading and Writing Chinese II
- Continuation of CHIN 251. Focuses on another 500 most commonly used Chinese characters and the major concepts essential for learning to read and write Chinese characters, preparing students for possible entry into advanced courses in Chinese, e.g. CHIN 504 (Advanced Modern Chinese I), or, after appropriate testing, for possible exemption from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences foreign language requirement. Prerequisite: CHIN 251 or permission of the instructor. LEC.
The class is not offered for the Spring 2020 semester.
- CHIN 290 Accelerated Chinese
- Instruction in reading and writing Chinese for students who already possess a degree of oral/aural proficiency. This course will prepare students for enrollment in CHIN 504, Advanced Modern Chinese I. No prerequisites. Consent of instructor required. LEC.
The class is not offered for the Spring 2020 semester.
- CHIN 342 Introduction to Classical Chinese
- An introduction to Classical Chinese through detailed analysis of short original passages from a variety of early Chinese texts. Students gain a foundation in the grammar and vocabulary of Classical Chinese, preparing them for CHIN 544. The course is offered at the 300 and 500 levels, with additional requirements for students taking the 500 level. Prerequisite: A basic knowledge of Chinese characters (e.g. from CHIN 108 or JPN 108) and consent of the instructor, or CHIN 208 or JPN 208. Not open to students who have completed CHIN 542. LEC.
The class is not offered for the Spring 2020 semester.
- CHIN 386 Advanced Chinese Conversation
- Guided discussions designed to increase fluency and further improve pronunciation. Prerequisite: CHIN 504 or equivalent. LEC.
The class is not offered for the Spring 2020 semester.
- CHIN 498 Directed Readings in Chinese
- Readings in Chinese on a subject selected by a student with the advice and direction of the instructor. Individual meetings and reports. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. IND.
Spring 2020 Type Time/Place and Instructor Credit Hours Class # IND McMahon, Keith
APPT- KULC APPT - LAWRENCE1-4 49049 - CHIN 504 Advanced Modern Chinese I
- Five hours of class and two of drill. Readings in selected modern Chinese literary texts and discussion in Chinese of recordings of stories and dramas. Prerequisite: CHIN 208 or equivalent. LEC.
The class is not offered for the Spring 2020 semester.
- CHIN 508 Advanced Modern Chinese II
- Continuation of CHIN 504. Prerequisite: CHIN 504 or equivalent. LEC.
Spring 2020 Type Time/Place and Instructor Credit Hours Class # LEC Xiao, Hui
MWF 11:00-11:50 AM WES 4041 - LAWRENCE5 40917 LBN Liu, Chang
TuTh 11:00-12:15 PM SUM 514 - LAWRENCE5 40918 - CHIN 512 Advanced Chinese I
- Readings in modern Chinese texts on a variety of subjects and discussion in Chinese. Prerequisite: CHIN 218 or equivalent. LEC.
The class is not offered for the Spring 2020 semester.
- CHIN 513 Advanced Chinese II
- Continuation of CHIN 512. Prerequisite: CHIN 512 or equivalent. LEC.
The class is not offered for the Spring 2020 semester.
- CHIN 542 Introduction to Classical Chinese
- An introduction to Classical Chinese through detailed analysis of short original passages from a variety of early Chinese texts. Students gain a foundation in the grammar and vocabulary of Classical Chinese, preparing them for CHIN 544. The course is offered at the 300 and 500 levels, with additional requirements for students taking CHIN 542. Prerequisite: A basic knowledge of Chinese characters (e.g. from CHIN 108 or JPN 108) and consent of instructor, or CHIN 208 or JPN 208. Not open to students who have completed CHIN 342. LEC.
The class is not offered for the Spring 2020 semester.
- CHIN 544 Readings in Classical Chinese: _____
- Classical Chinese is the language of the most famous works of Chinese philosophy and most Chinese literature before the twentieth century. The course introduces readings from a specific philosophical school or literary genre, for example: Confucian Philosophical Texts, Daoist Philosophical Texts, Poetry, Ming/Qing fiction, etc. Prerequisite: CHIN 342 or CHIN 542 or consent of the instructor. May be repeated for credit if content varies. LEC.
Spring 2020 Type Time/Place and Instructor Credit Hours Class # LEC Williams, Crispin
MWF 09:00-09:50 AM WES 4038 - LAWRENCE3 53631 - CHIN 562 Modern Chinese Texts I
- Readings and interpretation of varied modern Chinese texts. Continued study of the language in the form of oral discussion and written reports. Prerequisite: CHIN 504 or equivalent. LEC.
The class is not offered for the Spring 2020 semester.
- CHIN 564 Modern Chinese Texts II
- A continuation of CHIN 562 with materials of increasing difficulty. Prerequisite: CHIN 562. LEC.
The class is not offered for the Spring 2020 semester.
- CHIN 580 Introduction to Chinese Research Materials
- An introduction to basic reference works in Chinese and Western languages, including dictionaries, encyclopedias, concordances, and bibliographies. Library organization and research methods will also be discussed. (Five week course.) Prerequisite: CHIN 208 or equivalent. LEC.
The class is not offered for the Spring 2020 semester.
- CHIN 598 Readings in: _____
- Students will read selections from materials on a given topic or topics. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: CHIN 564 or permission of instructor. IND.
Spring 2020 Type Time/Place and Instructor Credit Hours Class # IND Pan, Yue
Tu 02:30-05:00 PM WES 4037 - LAWRENCE3 46541 IND McMahon, Keith
APPT- KULC APPT - LAWRENCE1-3 49758 - CHIN 690 Seminar in Chinese Texts
- Varying topics with varying prerequisites. LEC.
The class is not offered for the Spring 2020 semester.
- CHIN 801 Directed Readings and Research in Chinese
- Advanced language training for the study of Chinese sources in the humanities or social science field of the student. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. RSH.
Spring 2020 Type Time/Place and Instructor Credit Hours Class # RSH Li, Yan
APPT- KULC APPT - LAWRENCE1-4 46146 RSH McMahon, Keith
APPT- KULC APPT - LAWRENCE1-4 40919
Study Abroad
KU offers numerous opportunities to study abroad in China. Some of these programs have classes taught in English, while others are opportunities for advanced language study.
Degrees
Chinese language courses can be a part of many degree programs, whether used to fulfill a language requirement, or completing a major, minor or graduate degree focused on East Asia. Here are a few degree programs students frequently combine with Chinese language study, but talk to your academic advisor to explore all your options.
- Many students who study Chinese choose to complete a major, minor, or graduate degree with the Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures. The Center for East Asian Studies also offers an M.A. in Contemporary East Asian Studies.
- Many other degree programs within the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences offer significant content on China, and also require foreign language study, which can be met with Chinese. For more information, look at current degree requirements and course offerings in Anthropology, Art History, Geography, Global and International Studies, History, Political Science, Religious Studies and Sociology.
- For students who want to teach Chinese at the K-12 level, check out degree options through the KU School of Education.
- The KU School of Business offers a concentration in International Business which can include substantial content on Chinese language, culture and business.
- For Law students, KU offers a joint degree in Law and East Asian Languages and Cultures.
Career Planning
- The KU Career Center has online resources for exploring career paths for different majors. Check out the specifics for East Asian Languages and Cultures, or look at those for other majors (including those listed above.)
- KU students can also sign up for a free account with My World Abroad, which has extensive resources on preparing for an international career, including career options, and job search tips.
