CHINESE

The Challenge of China for Adventurous Students

Virtual reality is no substitute for the real thing when you want to become part of the global village in a cross-cultural experience. With your present command of English PLUS a knowledge of Chinese (25% of the world’s population), you can communicate with almost everyone in the world. Communication is the name of the game in virtually every field of the humanities and social sciences as well as that of business and the vast emptiness of cyberspace.

It is generally acknowledged that China and Japan are among the dominant powers in the world, to say nothing of the influence they have had on the western hemisphere. As the longest, continuous culture in the world, China has much to offer you. Communication doesn’t count for much if you have nothing to say. Acquiring a knowledge of China can be the most enriching experience of your life. Give it a try!

In our department, Chinese is offered at three proficiency levels, called first year, second year, and third year. Fourth year Chinese will soon be implemented. For each proficiency level, you can choose to study spoken language, reading and writing, or both. We of course do not recommend taking just reading and writing. Our recommendation is that you take either the spoken language course or the spoken language course and the reading and writing course. The spoken class meets seven times a week. The reading and writing class meets three times a week.

The Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures is now offering a Chinese major that combines the best of Chinese studies, ancient and modern, with expert training in speaking, reading, and writing the language. Upon this solid foundation is built a diversified and balanced curriculum of courses in cultural studies, thought systems, literary masterpieces, and modern cinema. Students are also invited to take an interdisciplinary approach by selecting course from fields related to China offered in other departments. We will soon be offering a minor in Chinese.

Language

In our department, Chinese is offered at four proficiency levels, called first year, second year, etc. For each proficiency level, you will study spoken language, reading, and writing. The classes meet for a total of seven times a week.

Study abroad and internships

We encourage our students to study in both PRC and Taiwan. Although Pitt does not yet have official ties with universities or language programs there, and such initiatives are being undertaken, a number of students do enroll in many programs in PRC and Taiwan to improve language proficiency and to gain firsthand experience in these two countries. The Freeman Foundation grant to the University provides financial assistance to those who qualify.

Internships, either as a part of your undergraduate study or undertaken after graduation, will give you a chance to apply your language skills and obtain job experience at the same time in the target culture. We will give you as much assistance as possible to place you in appropriate intern situations.

Major requirements

To obtain a major in Chinese, you must complete 32 credits of speaking, reading, and writing courses (that is three years of speaking, reading, and writing courses). Further, 13 credits of courses in literature, film, culture, and classical Chinese are required, along with six credits of China-related courses in other departments. A 3-credit "Senior Project" course is required in the senior year..

To obtain a certificate in Asian Studies, you need two years of an East Asian language. For more information, contact Ms. Dianne Dakis at the Asian Studies Center or visit the Asian Studies Center Web site.

Students interested in a major in our department should consult with Professor Cecile Sun.

A Chinese Minor has now been approved. Please check the "Major" link.

Scholarships and financial aid

The Freeman Foundation grants have enabled us to provide substantial financial assistance to qualified students of Chinese who wish to study in a language program in the Peoples’ Republic of China (PRC) or Taiwan. All financial assistance is awarded through the Asian Studies Center. For additional information, contact Paula Locante.

Student placement

An advanced skill in Chinese has long created a very favorable edge when looking for work. We have placed many students in various federal agencies and departments and private corporations. Some students also go on to pursue graduate degrees at Pitt and other institutions in such areas as computer science, medicine, law, government, social sciences, and humanities.

That’s not all

About 12,000 undergraduate and more than 10,000 graduate students study at the Oakland campus of the University of Pittsburgh. For this reason, Pitt can offer a rich learning environment, formal or informal or in between, for practicing and making use of your language skills. In addition, not a week passes without lectures, performances, and other events that relate to China on campus and in Pittsburgh. Our nationally ranked East Asian Library holds one of the largest collections of Chinese language materials in the nation. The University of Pittsburgh houses one of a few federally funded Title VI centers for East Asian Studies in the United States. You should also know that more than 20 first-rate faculty members on campus teach and do research on China. These are just some of the many offerings that can enrich your language learning experience at Pitt.