Modern Languages and Literatures – Chinese
College of Liberal & Creative Arts
Dean: Dr. Andrew Harris
Department of Modern Languages and Literatures
Humanities Building, Room 475
Phone: (415) 338-1421
Website: mll.sfsu.edu/chinese-program
Chair: Charles Egan
Program Coordinator: Chris Wen-Chao Li
Undergraduate Advisor: Chris Wen-Chao Li, Charles Egan, Frederik Green, Yang Xiao-Desai
Graduate Advisor: Chris Wen-Chao Li
Flagship Program Director: Charles Egan
Flagship Program Assistant Director: Frederik Green
Program Scope
Founded in 1959, the Chinese Program at San Francisco State University provides comprehensive degree programs at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. For all major and minor options, the Chinese Program offers electives taught in both English and Chinese, which provide insight into one of the world’s oldest civilizations and inspire the student to view the modern world from alternative perspectives. Courses on modern literature and film taught in Chinese reflect the dynamic transformations of contemporary Chinese society and culture. Training in the fundamentals of linguistics complements program goals by revealing the underlying structures of language. To prepare students as fully as possible for future challenges, the Chinese Program balances traditional academic offerings with practical courses such as Business Chinese, Media Chinese, and Web Chinese, which equip students with career-related language skills.
The Bachelor of Arts in Chinese is divided into three separate concentrations: Chinese Language, designed for students with little or no background in the Chinese language; Chinese Literature and Linguistics, aimed at native and near-native speakers of Chinese language; and Flagship Chinese Language, a federally funded honors program.
The Minor in Chinese Language is designed for beginning language learners and is focused on the buildup of proficiency in the Modern Standard Language.
The Minor in Chinese Literature and Linguistics is designed for native and near-native speakers and requires coursework in advanced language, classical language, linguistics, literature, culture, and oratory.
The Master of Arts in Chinese provides advanced training in the areas of literature, linguistics, and pedagogy, building a solid foundation for further study and language-related careers. Many of our M.A. graduates advance to study and research at the doctoral level. Others develop skills for China-related careers, including teaching Chinese as a second language, international business and law, and translation and interpretation.
Professor
CHARLES H. EGAN (2000), Professor of Modern Languages and Literatures; B.A. (1979), Yale University; M.A. (1987), Ph.D. (1992), Princeton University.
CHRIS WEN-CHAO LI (2000), Professor of Modern Languages and Literatures; B.S. (1990), National Taiwan University; M.Phil (1992), D.Phil (1997), Oxford University.
Associate Professor
FREDERIK H. GREEN (2012), Associate Professor of Modern Languages and Literatures; B.A. (2000), Cambridge University; M.Phil. (2004), Ph.D. (2009), Yale University.
YANG XIAO-DESAI (2014), Associate Professor of Modern Languages and Literatures; B.A. (1997), M.A. (2000), Hunan Normal University; Ph.D. (2010), University of Hawaii at Manoa.
Lecturers
Tsao, Liou, Phung
Majors
- Bachelor of Arts in Chinese: Concentration in Chinese Language
- Bachelor of Arts in Chinese: Concentration in Chinese Literature & Linguistics
- Bachelor of Arts in Chinese: Concentration in Flagship Chinese Language
Minors
CHIN 101 First Semester Chinese (Units: 4)
Understanding, speaking, reading, and writing modern Mandarin Chinese at the elementary level. Emphasis on the spoken language. Laboratory attendance required.
Course Attributes:
- Social Justice
- Global Perspectives
- C2: Humanities
CHIN 102 Second Semester Chinese (Units: 4)
Prerequisite: CHIN 101 or consent of the instructor.
Course Attributes:
- Global Perspectives
- Social Justice
- C2: Humanities
CHIN 103 Third Semester Chinese (Units: 4)
Prerequisite: CHIN 102 or consent of the instructor.
Course Attributes:
- Global Perspectives
- Social Justice
- C2: Humanities
CHIN 111 Accelerated Elementary Chinese I (Units: 4)
Prerequisite: Consent of the instructor. Open to highly motivated students with no or limited (elementary level) proficiency in Chinese (any dialect).
Course Attributes:
- Social Justice
- Global Perspectives
- C2: Humanities
CHIN 112 Accelerated Elementary Chinese II (Units: 4)
Prerequisite: CHIN 111 or consent of the instructor.
Course Attributes:
- Social Justice
CHIN 175 Flagship Preparation I (Unit: 1)
Prerequisite: Concurrent enrollment in CHIN 101 or CHIN 102 or consent of the instructor.
CHIN 228 Chinese Language and Society (Units: 3)
Examination of the role of Chinese language in various aspects of social life, such as identity, gender relations, class, kinship, social status, and hierarchies. Topics also include the regional variations of the Chinese language and its relations to culture, education, politics, and technology.
Course Attributes:
- Global Perspectives
- C2: Humanities
CHIN 270 China and the West: Cross-Cultural Encounters Through Literature and Art from Middles Ages-Present (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: GE Area A2* or consent of the instructor.
Course Attributes:
- E: Lifelong Learning Develop
- Global Perspectives
- Social Justice
CHIN 271 The Classic Chinese Novel in Contemporary Pop Culture (Units: 3)
Explore the legacy of China's four great classic novels in contemporary Chinese popular culture. Analysis of original works and their adaptation in TV shows and cinema, fiction, computer games, and theme parks.
(This course is offered as CHIN 271 and HUM 271. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)
Course Attributes:
- C2: Humanities
- Global Perspectives
- Social Justice
CHIN 275 Flagship Preparation II (Unit: 1)
Prerequisite: Concurrent enrollment in CHIN 102 or CHIN 103 or consent of the instructor.
CHIN 280 Chinese Calligraphy (Units: 3)
An examination of Chinese character formation and evolution, as well as a survey of varieties of Chinese scripts and hands-on practice of Chinese calligraphy.
CHIN 303 Intermediate Chinese (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: CHIN 103 or consent of the instructor.
CHIN 311 Conversation and Reading (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: CHIN 303 or consent of the instructor.
Course Attributes:
- Global Perspectives
CHIN 312 Speech and Writing (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: CHIN 311 or consent of the instructor.
Course Attributes:
- Global Perspectives
CHIN 341 From Yellow Music to Mando Pop: The History & Practice of Popular Music in 20th & 21st Century China (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: CHIN 103 or equivalent or consent of the instructor.
Course Attributes:
- Global Perspectives
CHIN 375 Flagship Preparation III: Academic Prose (Unit: 1)
Prerequisite: Concurrent enrollment in CHIN 103 or CHIN 303 or consent of the instructor.
CHIN 401 Advanced Chinese (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: CHIN 311, CHIN 312, or consent of the instructor.
Course Attributes:
- Global Perspectives
CHIN 410 Building Chinese Media Literacy (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: CHIN 401 or consent of the instructor.
(This course is offered as CHIN 410 and JOUR 410, and is taught in Chinese. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)
CHIN 411 Media Chinese (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: CHIN 401 or consent of the instructor.
(This course is offered as CHIN 411, I R 413, and JOUR 411. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)
Course Attributes:
- Global Perspectives
CHIN 475 Flagship Chinese I (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: Advanced Chinese skills and Flagship student status or permission of the instructor and the Flagship Director.
CHIN 476 Flagship Chinese II: Domain Training (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: CHIN 475 or equivalent and Flagship student status or consent of the instructor and the Flagship Director. Flagship students may enroll in CHIN 476 before they have completed CHIN 475 upon advisement.
CHIN 501 Introduction to Classical Chinese (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: CHIN 312 (may be taken concurrently) or consent of the instructor.
Course Attributes:
- Global Perspectives
CHIN 502 Readings in Literary Chinese (Units: 3)
Close readings of classical Chinese texts drawn from philosophical, historical, and literary sources, such as the Sishu (the Four Books), the Wujing (Five Confucian Classics), and classical Chinese poetry from the Han to the Tang. Classical Chinese grammar is studied using a hands-on approach; reading of text in original, analyze linguistic features, and socio-historical and literary context.CHIN 507 Traditional Chinese Culture (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: CHIN 401 (may be taken concurrently) or consent of instructor.
CHIN 521 Chinese Modern Fiction (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: CHIN 401 or consent of the instructor.
Course Attributes:
- Global Perspectives
CHIN 525 Chinese Applied Linguistics (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: CHIN 311 or consent of the instructor.
CHIN 530 Oratory and Performance in Chinese (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: CHIN 312 or consent of the instructor.
CHIN 537 The Chinese Language and Modern China (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: CHIN 312 or consent of the instructor.
CHIN 580 Topics in Modern Chinese Language and Literature (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: CHIN 312 or CHIN 401 or consent of the instructor.
CHIN 582 Topics in Classical Chinese Language and Literature (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: CHIN 501 or CHIN 502 or consent of the instructor.
CHIN 600 Topics in Chinese Language, Literature, and Culture in English (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: GE Area E.
CHIN 601GW The Poetic Tradition - GWAR (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: GE Area A2.
Course Attributes:
- Graduation Writing Assessment
- Global Perspectives
CHIN 602 The Narrative Tradition (Units: 3)
Prerequisite for CHIN 802: M.A. in Chinese students or consent of the instructor.
Prerequisites for CHIN 602: Upper-division standing; GPA of 3.0 or higher; or consent of the instructor.
(CHIN 802/CHIN 602 is a paired course offering. Students who complete the course at one level may not repeat the course at the other level.)
CHIN 611GW The Revolutionary Tradition in Modern Chinese Literature - GWAR (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: Upper-division standing; GE Area A2; or consent of the instructor.
Course Attributes:
- Graduation Writing Assessment
- Global Perspectives
CHIN 612GW Negotiating Chineseness in the Late 20th and 21st Centuries - GWAR (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: Upper-division Chinese majors; GE Area A2; or consent of the instructor.
Course Attributes:
- Graduation Writing Assessment
- Global Perspectives
CHIN 699 Independent Study (Units: 1-3)
Prerequisite: Consent of the department chair and instructor. Open only to undergraduate students who have demonstrated the ability to do independent work.
CHIN 785 Projects in the Teaching of Chinese (Units: 1-3)
Prerequisites: Graduate standing; tutoring appointment in the Chinese Flagship Program.
CHIN 802 The Narrative Tradition (Units: 3)
Prerequisite for CHIN 802: M.A. in Chinese students or consent of the instructor.
Prerequisites for CHIN 602: Upper-division standing; GPA of 3.0 or higher; or consent of the instructor.
(CHIN 802/CHIN 602 is a paired course offering. Students who complete the course at one level may not repeat the course at the other level.)
CHIN 820 The Road To Modernity Part I: Chinese Literary Trends of the Late Imperial and Republican Periods (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: Graduate standing or consent of the instructor.
CHIN 821 Modern Chinese Literature (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: Admission to Chinese program or consent of the instructor.
CHIN 822 Classical Chinese Literature (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: Admission to Chinese program or consent of the instructor.
CHIN 824 Testing & Assessment in Teaching/Learning Chinese as a Second Language (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: Admission to Chinese M.A. program or consent of the instructor.
CHIN 825 Applied Linguistics and Teaching Chinese (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: Admission to Chinese program or consent of the instructor.
CHIN 826 Semantics and Morphology (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: Admission to Chinese M.A. program, or CHIN 401 and consent of the instructor.
CHIN 827 Language Change and Dialectic Variation (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: MLL 325 [formerly F L 325] or equivalent.
CHIN 837 Materials Development for Teaching Chinese (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: Admission to Chinese M.A. program or consent of the instructor.
CHIN 881 Translation (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: Admission to Chinese M.A. program or consent of the instructor.
CHIN 882 Consecutive and Simultaneous Interpreting (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: Graduate standing or consent of the instructor.
CHIN 883 Advanced Translation and Interpreting (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: Graduate standing; CHIN 881, CHIN 882; or consent of the instructor.
CHIN 896EXM Culminating Experience Examination (Units: 0-3)
Prerequisites: Consent of the instructor, committee chair, and approval of Advancement to Candidacy (ATC) and Culminating Experience (CE) forms by Graduate Studies. ATC and Proposal for Culminating Experience Requirement forms must be approved by the Graduate Division before registration.
CHIN 899 Independent Study (Units: 1-3)
Prerequisite: Consent of the graduate major adviser and supervising faculty member. Enrollment by petition.