CHI 110 Chinese I (Intensive) (5 Credits)

An intensive introduction to spoken Mandarin and modern written Chinese, presenting basic elements of grammar, sentence structures and active mastery of the most commonly used Chinese characters. Emphasis on development of oral/aural proficiency, pronunciation, and the acquisition of skills in reading and writing Chinese characters. This course is suitable for students with no prior study of Chinese. Students with prior language experience should take the placement test before registering. Enrollment limited to 15.

Fall

CHI 111 Chinese I (Intensive) (5 Credits)

A continuation of CHI 110. Students extend and develop confidence in all four communicative skills, culminating in a creative digital project. Prerequisite: CHI 110 or by placement test. Enrollment limited to 15. {F}

Spring

CHI 120 Chinese I for Novice High Speakers (4 Credits)

Designed for students with previous Chinese language experience who have at least a Novice High oral proficiency, but whose reading and writing proficiency is at Novice Low or Novice Mid level. The course will cover the same material as CHI 110 at an accelerated pace, helping students build grammar knowledge and reading and writing skills through interactive, communicative and task-based activities. This introductory course does not fulfill the foreign language requirement for Latin honors. CHI 120 and CHI 121 together fulfill the foreign language requirement for Latin honors. Enrollment limited to 15. Placement test and instructor permission required.

Fall, Annually

CHI 121 Chinese I for Intermediate Low Speakers (4 Credits)

This continuation of CHI 120 is designed for students with previous Chinese language experience who have at least an Intermediate Low oral proficiency and a Novice High reading and writing proficiency. The course covers the same material as CHI 111 at an accelerated pace, focusing on helping students build grammar knowledge and reading and writing skills through interactive, communicative and task-based activities. CHI 120 and CHI 121 together fulfill the foreign language requirement for Latin honors. Enrollment limited to 15. Prerequisite: CHI 120 or placement test. {F}

Spring, Annually

CHI 220 Chinese II (Intensive) (5 Credits)

Continued emphasis on the development of oral proficiency and functional literacy in modern Mandarin. Conversation and narrative practice, reading exercises, short composition assignments and work with multi-media content, culminating in a creative digital project. Prerequisite: CHI 111 or placement test. Enrollment limited to 15. {F}

Fall

CHI 221 Chinese II (Intensive) (5 Credits)

A continuation of CHI 220. Students transition from functional communication skills to expressing and supporting opinions about topics including modernization, health, the environment and economics, ending by creating a digital narrative exploring a culturally or socially significant topic. Prerequisite: CHI 220 or by placement test. Enrollment limited to 15. {F}

Spring

CHI 301 Chinese III (4 Credits)

Building on the skills and vocabulary acquired in Chinese II, students learn to read simple essays on topics of common interest and develop the ability to understand, summarize and discuss social issues in contemporary China. Readings are supplemented by digital materials, and the semester ends with a creative digital project. Prerequisite: CHI 221 or placement test. Enrollment limited to 15. {F}

Fall

CHI 302 Chinese III (4 Credits)

A continuation of CHI 301, with a focus on developing narrative and storytelling skills, cultural knowledge, and increased use of authentic language materials. Projects include, but are not limited to, blog posts, podcasts and magazines. Prerequisite: CHI 301 or by placement test. Enrollment limited to 15. {F}

Spring

CHI 350 Advanced Chinese through Film and Literature (4 Credits)

Development of advanced proficiency in four skills through the study and discussion of selected modern Chinese literary and cinematic texts. Students explore literary and formal expression in original works, including fiction, short stories, prose, novellas and screenplays. With the instructor’s permission, advanced language courses may be repeated when the content changes. Prerequisite: CHI 302 or by placement test. {F}

Fall, Spring, Variable

CHI 351md Topics in Advanced Readings in Chinese-Modern Lens (4 Credits)

This course mainly focuses on readings of cultural, political and social import. Through in-depth study and discussion of modern and contemporary texts and essays drawn from a variety of sources, students develop advanced reading, writing and discussion skills in Chinese and increase their understanding of modern and contemporary China. Prerequisite: CHI 302 or placement test. {F}

Fall, Spring, Variable

CHI 352 Food for Thought: Chinese Language, Culture, Environment, and Health (4 Credits)

This course focuses on Chinese food culture and its relationship with environment and health. This course is an advanced-high Chinese language course that contextualizes learning through textual-visual analysis of food-related topics. The materials integrate different disciplines and genres to help students speak and write in Chinese coherently and critically. Through activities in and out of class, this course aims to develop students' deeper understanding of how language, along with food, both shapes and mirrors culture. Students explore cultural complexities and subtleties through literary-based online videos and compare with their own cultures on how flavors and tastes are used metaphorically. Prerequisites: CHI 302 and above at Smith College or equivalent, or by placement. Instructor permission required. {F}

Fall, Spring, Variable

CHI 353 Talking Point: Epidemics and Their Controversies in China and Beyond (4 Credits)

This course is designed to help students to deepen their understanding of China’s culture and society through the controversies and debates surrounding the epidemics, and Covid-19 in particular, while developing their Chinese language skills in the process. In this course, students attempt to understand people’s experiences and feelings in the locked-down cities, analyze gender issues in the medical care workplace and study discrimination against people who are from high-risk districts. Students explore topics such as whether or not people feel comfortable covering their faces; the role of NGOs in epidemics; and so on. Enrollment limited to 15. {F}

Fall, Spring, Variable