Overview

The Bachelor of Arts in Chinese is offered by the Department of Modern Languages, Literatures and Cultures. The department also offers programs leading to an undergraduate minor or certificate in Chinese. Our programs are designed to provide the language skills and cultural knowledge needed for a number of professions and careers.

Every semester the department offers several courses on topics such as literature, film and culture which are taught in English and utilize translated materials. These provide rigorous academic training for those interested in pursuing graduate studies and professional degrees. The popular minor and certificate programs complement most majors at the university, including Asian Studies and Global Studies.

Students who major in Chinese develop strong language skills along with an in-depth disciplinary knowledge acquired in courses on Chinese literature, film, and other aspects of China's culture and society. Those who begin their study of Chinese early in their university careers can attain a high level of proficiency in spoken and written Chinese by the time they graduate. A comprehensive array of content courses enables them to achieve the cultural knowledge and insights needed to engage in effective communication in Chinese speech communities.

All students majoring in Chinese are strongly encouraged to study for at least one semester abroad in an intensive language program to build their language skills while enriching their knowledge of Chinese culture. Other options for intensive language study that students have are university-based summer Chinese language programs (in China or the U.S.) and/or a full year of language study abroad.

The Bachelor of Arts in Chinese prepares students for post-graduation careers that require or benefit from China-related expertise in government, nongovernmental organizations and business. The degree also prepares students for graduate programs in the humanities and social sciences as well as for professional schools in areas like law and business.

Campus Location: Main

Program Code: LA-CHI-BA

Distinction in Major

Students who have achieved a 3.75 GPA in Chinese courses as well as in their cumulative average will have their transcript noted with "Distinction in Major".

Contact Information

Department Office
332 Mazur Hall
215-204-8268

Barbara Thornbury, Chair
336 Mazur Hall
215-204-4492
bthor@temple.edu

Michelle Xu, Administrator
429 Mazur Hall
215-204-5628
xu.michelle@temple.edu

Stephen Walton, Academic Coordinator
330 Mazur Hall
215-204-8267
stephen.walton0002@temple.edu

Learn more about the Bachelor of Arts in Chinese.

These requirements are for students who matriculated in academic year 2024-2025. Students who matriculated prior to fall 2024 should refer to the Archives to view the requirements for their Bulletin year.

Summary of Degree Requirements

University Requirements

• MATH 0701 (4 s.h.) and/or ENG 0701 (4 s.h.), if required by placement testing.
• All Temple students must take a minimum of two writing-intensive courses as part of the major. The specific courses required for this major are CHI 4296 and CHI 4297.
• Students must complete requirements of the General Education (GenEd) Program. See the General Education section of the Undergraduate Bulletin for more details.

College of Liberal Arts Requirements

• Completion of a minimum of 123 credits, including:
  • 90 credits in CLA/CST courses;
  • 45 credits of which must be at the upper level (numbered 2000-4999).

    • Distribution Requirement for Humanities majors: Six upper level credits must be earned in the Social Science, Science, and/or interdisciplinary subject areas. Select from the following CLA departments and programs: Africology & African American Studies, American Studies, Anthropology, Asian Studies, Criminal Justice, Cybersecurity and Human Behavior, Economics, Environmental Studies, Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies, Geography and Urban Studies, Global Studies, History, Jewish Studies, Latin American Studies, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Studies, Liberal Arts, Neuroscience (CLA), Political Science, Psychology, and Sociology, or any department in the College of Science and Technology.

  • A minimum GPA of 2.0, cumulatively, in all CLA/CST coursework, and in the major department.
  • Only courses in which a student receives a grade of at least C- can satisfy GenEd, major, minor, or CLA Foreign Language and Global Studies requirements.
  • Professional Development Requirement

    • All students in the College of Liberal Arts are required to take a 1 credit seminar in professional development. CLA 1002 Professional Development for Liberal Arts Majors is the appropriate course option for this major. Several of our larger departments have alternatives for their program; these alternative options may be found on the CLA College Requirements page. Only one course in this category may count towards graduation.

  • Foreign Language/Global Studies Requirements:
    • The requirements for the major in Chinese exceed the CLA minimum for this requirement.
    • Notes on Foreign Language Study
      • The third level of language is numbered 1003 in French, Spanish, and Portuguese and numbered 2001 in all other foreign language subjects.
      • Students are strongly encouraged to take the third level of a foreign language as it is the minimum required for election to the prestigious honor society Phi Beta Kappa. (Taking the course does not guarantee admission but not taking it guarantees exclusion.)
      • See the College of Liberal Arts Policies section of this Bulletin for more information on the Foreign Language Placement, Regression in Coursework, and guidelines for students' other experiences with language.

General Electives are typically one-third of a student's program of study and can be focused on a second major, a minor, or towards some other personal enrichment or professional goals. See an academic advisor for assistance in developing an academic plan for these courses.

Major Requirements: Ten courses in Chinese (30 credits)

The Chinese major is 10 courses/30 credits after the prerequisites of CHI 1001, CHI 1002, CHI 2001, and CHI 2002 (or equivalent in transfer or experience) with a minimum grade of C- or equivalent placement.

Course levels are incremental in skills and content. Language courses must be taken sequentially (Chinese culture, film, and literature courses taught in English can be taken concurrently with language courses).

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One of the electives must focus on the Premodern period.

Suggested Academic Plan

Bachelor of Arts in Chinese

Suggested Plan for New Students Starting in the 2024-2025 Academic Year

Accelerated Programs

Students may opt to pursue an accelerated +1 program, enabling them to complete both a bachelor's degree and master's degree in less time than the traditional route.

The following accelerated program may be of interest to students in the Chinese BA:

College of Education and Human Development

• Secondary Education MEd with World/Foreign Languages Education concentration