Chinese Studies
Areas of Study
Students in the Chinese Studies program take language courses — ranging from elementary to advanced levels — as well as courses on Chinese:
- Literature, linguistics, and cinema
- Art
- Economics
- History
- Philosophy
- Politics
- Religions
Requirements for Majors
Language placement procedures for all languages can be accessed via the STAR student system. A language placement tile is displayed on the STAR dashboard.
You must follow the language placement procedures if 1) you have already studied a language that you wish to continue at Holy Cross, or 2) you have any knowledge of the language through family or community.
Advanced Placement Policy
Students with a score of 4 or 5 on the AP exam in Chinese Language and Culture earn placement in the curriculum but not progress toward the minimum number of courses required by the major/minor. Students who take a course that duplicates the AP award in Chinese will forfeit the AP credit.
A minimum of 10 courses on Chinese language, literature, culture, and civilization as follows:
Four to six courses in Chinese language at the 200 level or above, including at least two courses at the 400 level.
- CHIN 201 Intermediate Chinese 1
- CHIN 202 Intermediate Chinese 2
- CHIN 301 Third Year Chinese 1
- CHIN 302 Third Year Chinese 2
- CHIN 401 Fourth Year Chinese 1
- CHIN 402 Fourth Year Chinese 2
- CHIN 403 Topics in Contemp Chin Society
- CHIN 404 Introduction to Literary Chinese 1
Four to six additional courses on China taught in English or Chinese including:
One required Chinese culture course:
- CHIN 103 Introduction to Chinese Culture (or a "topics" course on Chinese culture)
- CHIN 255 Chin Cult Through Camera's Eye (or a "topics" course on Chinese culture)
One required Chinese literature course:
- CHIN 250 Traditional Chinese Literature (or a “topics” course on Chinese literature)
Two to four additional approved courses on China. These courses may be outside of the Department of World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures and include, but are not limited to:
- CHIN 260 Chinese Linguistics
- ECON 221 Econ Development Modern China
- HIST 155 World War II in East Asia
- HIST 281 Imperial China
- PHIL 255 Asian Philosophy
- RELS 106 Buddhism
In addition, majors must take two courses in their fourth year (the consent of their major advisor is needed for courses in English).
Requirements for Minors
Language placement procedures for all languages can be accessed via the STAR student system. A language placement tile is displayed on the STAR dashboard.
You must follow the language placement procedures if 1) you have already studied a language that you wish to continue at Holy Cross, or 2) you have any knowledge of the language through family or community.
Advanced Placement Policy
Students with a score of 4 or 5 on the AP exam in Chinese Language and Culture earn placement in the curriculum but not progress toward the minimum number of courses required by the major/minor. Students who take a course that duplicates the AP award in Chinese will forfeit the AP credit.
Students must complete six courses for the minor, including 2-4 courses in Chinese language at the 200 level or above (at least one course at 300 level or above).
Required language courses or equivalents:
- CHIN 201 Intermediate Chinese 1
- CHIN 202 Intermediate Chinese 2
- CHIN 301 Third Year Chinese 1
- CHIN 302 Third Year Chinese 2
Two to four additional courses on China taught in Chinese or English including the following:
One course on Chinese culture, cinema, or literature such as
- CHIN 103 Introduction to Chinese Culture
- CHIN 250 Traditional Chinese Literature (or a topics course on Chinese literature)
- CHIN 255 Chin Cult Through Camera's Eye
One to three additional approved courses on China. These courses may be outside of the Department of World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures and include, but are not limited to, the following:
- ECON 221 Econ Development Modern China
- HIST 155 World War II in East Asia
- HIST 281 Imperial China
- PHIL 255 Asian Philosophy
- RELS 106 Buddhism
Students who are native speakers of Chinese can take six non-language courses on China (at least one course on Chinese literature and one course on Chinese culture) to fulfill the minor requirements.
Meet Your Program Director
Opportunities
Study Abroad
In addition to majoring or minoring in Chinese, you can expand the breadth and depth of your studies by participating in a fully-immersive study abroad program in China or Taiwan, pursuing an interdisciplinary degree in Asian Studies or international studies, or pursuing a Chinese language teaching certification. The Chinese Studies program also supports graduating seniors who seek to continue their Chinese studies through various postgraduate scholarships and programs in the Chinese speaking world. Summer study programs are available as well.
Chinese Language Partners Program
The Chinese Studies Program brings together international students from China with students who are studying Chinese for weekly social gatherings that foster friendship and community.
Teacher Education Program
The Teacher Education Program (TEP) at Holy Cross prepares students for licensure in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Through the Teacher Education Program, Holy Cross offers the only undergraduate program in Massachusetts that leads to licensure in teaching the Chinese language at the secondary or middle school level. In addition to taking courses in the major, students enroll in education courses specifically designed to promote excellence in teaching.
Claudia N. Ross Chinese Studies Award
Claudia N. Ross Chinese Studies Award is to recognize one graduating senior who has demonstrated excellence and commitment in the study of Chinese language, literature, and culture. In order to apply, students must be a major in Chinese Studies at Holy Cross.
Outcomes
Graduates of the Chinese Studies program have pursued careers in a variety of fields, including business, economics, education, journalism and diplomacy. Graduates have also received awards and scholarships to continue their Chinese studies from prestigious and competitive programs such as Fulbright and Ministry of Education.
The following research, teaching and study opportunities are available to graduating seniors who will spend a year in China:
- Fulbright Teaching Assistantships in Taiwan: The Fulbright English Teaching Assistant programs place grantees in schools overseas to supplement local English language instruction and to provide a native speaker presence in the classrooms.
- Fulbright Research Grants: The Fulbright Study/Research Award is the traditional award opportunity where a candidate designs a proposal for a specific country. Graduating seniors are eligible to apply.
- Ministry of Education Huayu Enrichment Scholarships: Stipend toward tuition at an approved language program in Taiwan. Students with a year or more of prior Chinese language study are eligible.
Please contact the Office of Distinguished Fellowships and Graduate Studies if you are interested.
