Getting Started (Majors Guide) - Chinese

College: HFA

 (Revised Spring 2018)  

How to Explore / Get Started in the Major

Suggested General Education Courses

Under the new guidelines students are still required to take two courses, one in U.S. Diversity and one in Global Diversity. Students entering in Fall 2018 are expected to take one of these diversity courses, either U.S. or Global, in their first year on campus.  For Fall 2018 Registration, look for courses with DU (formerly U) and DG (formerly G) to help students stay on track.  Any course labled DU will satisfy the requirement for a U.S. diversity course and any course labeled DG will satisfy the the requirement for Global diversity course. Course planning guidelines, including guidelines for students, are available at www.umass.edu/gened.

ANTHRO 102 (SBDG), ANTHRO 104 (SBDG) , ANTHRO 105 (SBDG), ART-HIST 115 (ATDG), ENGLWRIT 112 (CW), GEO-SCI 332 (SBDG), HISTORY 114 (HSDG), HISTORY 115 (HSDG), JAPANESE 135 (IDG), LINGUIST 201 (R2), SOCIOL 109 (SBDU), SOCIOL 212 (R2) or STATISTC 111 (R2), SOCIOL 332 (DG).

Suggested Major and Pre-requisite Courses

The prerequisite for this major is a 24-credit language sequence: CHINESE 126, 246, 326 and 327.
*Chinese 126 can be replaced by a combination of Chinese 110 and Chinese 120.

First-year students who wish to pursue the major should take:

  • CHINESE 126, then CHINESE 246
  • CHINESE 136, 140, 141, 150, 197D, 197Q, 197S; HISTORY 114, 115 (select one or two courses)

NOTE: For students starting in the Spring semester, the course sequence should be CHINESE 110, then CHINESE 120, followed by CHINESE 246

How to Declare the Major

The best time to apply is during the freshman year, but students can also apply as sophomores. Language courses require a grade of "C" or better in specific prerequisites.

Transfer Students: 

Students should consult with their assigned advisor at the beginning of the semester; do not wait until the advising period.

Summary of Requirements for the Major

Mimimum total # of credits required: 55 (including the four-semester, 24-credit language sequence in intensive modern Chinese)

  • Two semesters of advanced modern Chinese
  • Two semesters of pre-modern Chinese
  • One semester introduction to Chinese linguistics
  • Six credits in Chinese literature in translation/history/culture
  • Nine credits in advanced language, literature or linguistics
  • Junior Year Writing and Integrative Experience

Is there a minor? If so what are the requirements?
Yes. A total of 24 credits is required for the minor as follows:

  • Two semesters of intensive modern Chinese: CHINESE 126 and CHINESE 246 or two semesters of non-intensive modern Chinese: CHINESE 110 and CHINESE 120 followed by one semester of intensive modern Chinese: CHINESE 246
  • Twelve credits in Chinese language, linguistics, literature, or culture/literature in translation.

For further information, contact:
Professor David K. Schneider
East Asian Languages and Cultures
442 Herter Hall
dkschneider@asianlan.umass.edu