Courses

The second level of the advanced learner sequence. Intended for students with intermediate oral proficiency and elementary reading and writing proficiency. Students receive intensive training in listening, speaking, reading, and writing, supplemented by audio and video materials. The objective of the course is to balance these four skills and work toward attaining an advanced level in all of them.

Continuation of CHNS 1300. To be followed by CHNS 1500.

Continuation of CHNS 1320.

Third level of the standard foundational sequence of modern Chinese, with study in speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Use of audiovisual materials, oral presentations, skits, and longer and more frequent writing assignments to assimilate more sophisticated grammatical structures. Further introduction to a wide variety of written forms and styles. Use of both traditional and simplified forms of Chinese characters.

Continuation of CHNS 1500.

This course is intended for heritage speakers with intermediate high to advanced low speaking and listening skills and with intermediate reading and writing skills. The class follows CHNS 142 in the heritage track. The goal of the course is to help students effectively expand their skills in reading and writing while concurrently addressing the need to improve their listening and oral skills in formal environments. The materials cover a variety of topics relating to Chinese culture, society, and cultural differences, supplemented with authentic video materials. 

This course is intended for heritage speakers at the low advanced level with advanced low speaking and listening skills and with intermediate high to advanced low reading and writing proficiency. This course follows CHNS 152 in the heritage track. The goal of the course is to help students effectively expand their skills in reading and writing while concurrently addressing the need to improve their listening and oral skills in formal environments. The materials cover a variety of topics relating to Chinese culture, society, and cultural differences, supplemented with authentic video materials.

This course is designed to consolidate students’ grasp of the language through the use of films, TV programs, videos on social media, and authentic written materials. Activities include presentations, group discussions, written assignments, and projects. Open to heritage learners with intermediate to advanced oral proficiency and intermediate-low reading and writing proficiency. 

Fourth level of the standard foundational sequence of modern Chinese, with study in speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Readings in a wide range of subjects form the basis of discussion and other activities. Students consolidate their skills, especially speaking proficiency, at an advanced level. Materials use both simplified and traditional characters.

Continuation of CHNS 1580.

This course invites students to explore contemporary Chinese society, culture, and language through films, TV programs, and social media videos. By engaging with authentic visual narratives and written materials, students will not only enhance their Chinese language skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing but also gain deeper insights into everyday life, values, and social changes in modern China. Each unit combines film-based discussions, vocabulary development, and cultural reflection, encouraging learners to think critically and communicate meaningfully in Chinese.

This course aims to improve advanced-level Chinese learners’ conversational, reading, and writing skills by engaging them with diverse topics related to Chinese food and food culture. The class is suitable for students who have completed CHNS 153, 157, 159, or the equivalent of one of these classes elsewhere. Through readings, lectures, discussion, video screenings, and interviews, students explore China’s food culture through these topics: 1) Chinese culinary history; 2) Regional specialties; 3) Chinese food in the context of globalization; 4) Food safety and environmental protection; 5) Food and health.