Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures

The minor in Modern China Studies is an interdisciplinary program for undergraduate students. It comprises a minimum of 18 units and a maximum of 20 units, selected from core and elective courses. The program aims at yielding students with a solid, wide-ranging knowledge of China from which to develop a fair and balanced understanding of Chinese culture and society. Central to the multidisciplinary curriculum is to meet the needs and wants of students from diversified academic backgrounds—including humanities, business, social and behavioral sciences, arts, media or communication—namely their intellectual curiosities and career pursuits. Students who opt for Modern China Studies as their minor will have a basic knowledge of Chinese language (one language course is required for the minor) and Chinese culture, plus a solid understanding of modern Chinese society. Students who complete the minor are well prepared to be a part of a global workforce. In particular, these students are ready to pursue various study-abroad programs available at CSUN, including the prestigious Chinese Government Council scholarship that offers one-year’s study in China’s top universities (with tuition and living costs fully covered by the scholarship), the Peace Corps or the US-China Strong Foundation. The courses in the minor are expected to be readily integrated with the students’ General Education, major or minor. Students who select the Modern China Studies minor are unlikely to be confronted with delays in meeting their graduation requirements.

Academic Advisement

Students are required to plan their courses for the minor with the counsel of the designated Modern China Studies faculty advisor, who can be found in the Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures department. Call (818) 677-3467 for an appointment or to find office hours.

Students pursuing the Modern China Studies minor must complete four core courses. One is the gateway course FLIT 151: Introduction to Modern Chinese Culture and Literature; the second is selected from one of the Chinese Language courses; the other two courses are selected from the category of Chinese Culture, History, Society and Business. Students are also required to select two additional courses as electives.

1. Core Courses (12-13 units)

Students must take the following courses for a minimum of 12 units and a maximum of 13 units (depending on the 3- or 4-unit language course selected). Those with accomplished language skills may be granted with a waiver, provided that sufficient proof of linguistic proficiency is yielded. In that case, an additional 3-unit elective must be taken in its place.

Gateway Course (3 units)

FLIT 151 Introduction to Modern Chinese Culture and Literature (3)

Chinese Language (3-4 units)

Choose one of the following courses:

CHIN 101 Elementary Mandarin Chinese I (4)
CHIN 102 Elementary Mandarin Chinese II (4)
CHIN 201 Intermediate Mandarin Chinese I (3)
CHIN 202 Intermediate Mandarin Chinese II (3)

Chinese Culture, History, Society and Business (6 units)

Choose two of the following upper division courses:

ART 413 History of Chinese Art (3)
CHIN 312 Business Chinese (3)
CTVA 415C Regional and National Cinemas–China (3)
FLIT 325 Social Issues in Modern China (3)
GEOG 324 China (3)
HIST 490 Emperors, Philosophers, and Rebels: Imperial China to 1600 (3)
HIST 491A Making and Breaking Empires in Early Modern China (3)
HIST 491B Revolution and Reform in China (3)
PHIL 344 Chinese Philosophy (3)
POLS 435A Government and Politics of China (3)
RS 390 Buddhism (3)
RS 426 Religions of China: Taoism (3)
SOC 333 Chinese Society (3)

2. Elective Courses (6-7 units)

Students must take 6-7 units selected from the elective courses below. At least one of the electives must be an upper division course. Students may not double count courses taken above.

Lower Division Courses

CHIN 101 Elementary Mandarin Chinese I (4)
CHIN 102 Elementary Mandarin Chinese II (4)
CHIN 201 Intermediate Mandarin Chinese I (3)
CHIN 202 Intermediate Mandarin Chinese II (3)

Upper Division Courses

ART 413 History of Chinese Art (3)
CHIN 312 Business Chinese (3)
CTVA 415C Regional and National Cinemas–China (3)
FLIT 325 Social Issues in Modern China (3)
GEOG 324 China (3)
HIST 490 Emperors, Philosophers, and Rebels: Imperial China to 1600 (3)
HIST 491A Making and Breaking Empires in Early Modern China (3)
HIST 491B Revolution and Reform in China (3)
PHIL 344 Chinese Philosophy (3)
POLS 435A Government and Politics of China (3)
RS 390 Buddhism (3)
RS 426 Religions of China: Taoism (3)
SOC 333 Chinese Society (3)

Total Units in the Minor: 18-20