Modern Languages and Literatures – Chinese
College of Liberal & Creative Arts
Dean: Dr. Ifeoma Kiddoe Nwankwo
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 in Modern Languages and Literatures. Ph.D. Princeton University.
Chris Wen-Chao Li (2000), Professor in Modern Languages and Literatures. M.Phil., D.Phil. Oxford University.
Associate Professor
Frederik H. Green (2012), Associate Professor in Modern Languages and Literatures. Ph.D. Yale University.
Yang Xia-Desai (2014), Associate Professor in Modern Languages and Literatures. Ph.D. University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.
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:
- C2: Humanities
- Global Perspectives
CHIN 102 Second Semester Chinese (Units: 4)
Prerequisite: CHIN 101 or permission of the instructor.
Course Attributes:
- C2: Humanities
- Global Perspectives
CHIN 103 Third Semester Chinese (Units: 4)
Prerequisite: CHIN 102 or permission of the instructor.
Course Attributes:
- C2: Humanities
- Global Perspectives
CHIN 175 Flagship Preparation I (Unit: 1)
Prerequisite: Concurrent enrollment in CHIN 101 or CHIN 102 or permission 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:
- C2: Humanities
- Global Perspectives
CHIN 270 China and the West: Cross-Cultural Encounters Through Literature and Art from Middles Ages-Present (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: GE Area A2* or permission 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 permission of the instructor.
CHIN 303 Intermediate Chinese (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: CHIN 103 or permission of the instructor.
CHIN 311 Conversation and Reading (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: CHIN 303 or Chinese Literature and Linguistics majors or minors or permission 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 permission 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 permission of the instructor.
CHIN 401 Advanced Chinese (Units: 3)
Prerequisites: CHIN 312 or Chinese Literature and Linguistics majors or minors or permission 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 permission 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 Chinese Literature and Linguistics majors or minors or permission of the instructor.
Course Attributes:
- Global Perspectives
CHIN 502 Readings in Literary Chinese (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: CHIN 312 (may be taken concurrently) or Chinese Literature and Linguistics majors or minors or permission of the instructor.
CHIN 507 Traditional Chinese Culture (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: CHIN 311 or CHIN 312 (may be taken concurrently) or Chinese Literature and Linguistics majors or minors or permission of the instructor.
CHIN 521 Chinese Modern Fiction (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: GE Areas A1*, A2*, A3*, and B4* all with grades of C- or better; CHIN 312 (may be taken concurrently); or permission of the instructor.
Course Attributes:
- UD-C: Arts and/or Humanities
- Global Perspectives
CHIN 525 Chinese Applied Linguistics (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: CHIN 311 or CHIN 312 (may be taken concurrently), or Chinese Literature and Linguistics major or minor, or permission of instructor.
CHIN 537 Chinese Language and Modern China (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: CHIN 311 or CHIN 312 (may be taken concurrently) or Chinese Literature and Linguistics majors or minors or permission of the instructor.
CHIN 580 Topics in Modern Chinese Language and Literature (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: CHIN 311 or CHIN 312 (may be taken concurrently) or Chinese Literature and Linguistics majors or minors or permission of the instructor.
Topics:
- Chinese Literature in Film
- Socio-Cultural Aspects of the Chinese Language
- Introduction to Business Chinese
- Advanced Business Chinese
- Chinese Idioms as Cultural Expressions
- Reading World Wide Web Chinese
CHIN 600 Topics in Chinese Language, Literature, and Culture in English (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: GE Area E.
Topics:
- Chinese Cultural Treasures and Heritage in English
- The Red Chamber Dream in Cultural Context in ENG
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 permission of the instructor.
Prerequisites for CHIN 602: Upper-division standing; GPA of 3.0 or higher; or permission 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 permission of the instructor.
Course Attributes:
- Graduation Writing Assessment
- Global Perspectives
CHIN 699 Independent Study (Units: 1-3)
Prerequisite: Permission 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 permission of the instructor.
Prerequisites for CHIN 602: Upper-division standing; GPA of 3.0 or higher; or permission 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 permission of the instructor.
CHIN 821 Modern Chinese Literature (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: Admission to Chinese program or permission of the instructor.
CHIN 822 Classical Chinese Literature (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: Admission to Chinese program or permission of the instructor.
CHIN 825 Applied Linguistics and Teaching Chinese (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: Admission to Chinese program or permission of the instructor.
CHIN 826 Semantics and Morphology (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: Master of Arts in Chinese students or permission of the instructor.
CHIN 827 Language Change and Dialect Variation (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: Master of Arts in Chinese students or permission of the instructor.
CHIN 837 Materials Development for Teaching Chinese (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: Admission to Chinese M.A. program or permission of the instructor.
CHIN 881 Translation (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: Admission to Chinese M.A. program or permission of the instructor.
CHIN 882 Consecutive and Simultaneous Interpreting (Units: 3)
Prerequisite: Graduate standing or permission of the instructor.
CHIN 896EXM Culminating Experience Examination (Units: 0-3)
Prerequisites: Permission 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: Permission of the graduate major adviser and supervising faculty member. Enrollment by petition.