Chinese Studies Major
Chinese studies is dedicated to the study of China both as a vital part of the world today and one of the longest continuing civilizations of human history. To study China is to be exposed to a world of difference evidenced in language, literature, art, philosophy, religion, and history, as well as social, political, and economic structures. In intellectual terms, these differences challenge students' assumptions about themselves and the world they are living in and fruitfully lead to greater self-awareness and appreciation of the richness of human traditions and conditions. In practical terms, China's unprecedented economic development and the critical role that it has come to play in the world today suggests the timely importance of Chinese studies.
The Chinese studies major has a dual focus on language and cultural studies. It provides students solid training in reading and speaking knowledge of Mandarin Chinese. An interdisciplinary major, it also introduces students to a broad range of Chinese cultural issues and critical phenomena through multiple disciplines. Students will take courses in both Chinese and English. Students will complete the major with not only a firm competence in Mandarin Chinese but also a deep familiarity of China's literary, philosophical, religious, political, and social traditions and their transformations in modernity. The major will help to prepare students to begin a professional career with a China component or start their graduate studies.
CIP Code
05.0123 - Chinese Studies.
You can use the CIP code to learn more about career paths associated with this field of study and, for international students, possible post-graduation visa extensions. Learn more about CIP codes and other information resources.
The major in Chinese studies requires 10 courses.
Coursework falls into two categories: (1) cultural study from offerings within the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures and other departments at Fordham, as well as (2) Mandarin Chinese language study (courses with the subject code MAND).
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| MAND 2500 | Approaches to Literature | 4 |
| MLAL 3047 | Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism: Chinese Thought and Literature | 4 |
| or MAND/MLAL 3031 | Chinese Cultural Concepts | |
| MLAL 4998 | Chinese Studies Senior Research Paper 1 | 4 |
| Electives | ||
| Choose seven electives from the below list. | Varies | |
- 1
MLAL 4998 Chinese Studies Senior Research Paper is a supervised independent study (not a traditional course), culminating in an original research paper, written in English, in an area of Chinese studies. All majors are required to write a thesis under the direction of an adviser.
Chinese Studies Electives
Courses in this group have the CNST attribute (courses with the subject code MAND are taught in Mandarin Chinese).
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AAST 3929 | History of Chinese in the Americas | 3 |
| ARHI 2211 | The Arts and Visual Culture of China and Beyond | 4 |
| COLI 3006 | Trauma Theory | 4 |
| HIST 1450 | Understanding Historical Change: South Asian History | 3 |
| HIST 1550 | Understanding Historical Change: Modern East Asia | 3 |
| HIST 3538 | The Good Earth? | 4 |
| HIST 3915 | Contemporary China | 4 |
| HIST 3919 | Christianity in China | 4 |
| HIST 3922 | East Asian Cities | 4 |
| HIST 3929 | History of Chinese in the Americas | 3 |
| LING 2075 | Politics of Language in China | 4 |
| MAND 1501 | Intermediate Mandarin I | 3 |
| MAND 1502 | Intermediate Mandarin II | 3 |
| MAND 2001 | Mandarin Language and Literature | 3 |
| MAND 2500 | Approaches to Literature | 4 |
| MAND 2601 | Mandarin Conversation and Composition | 4 |
| MAND 3002 | Topics in Chinese Culture | 4 |
| MAND 3015 | Learning Mandarin Chinese Through Music and Songs | 4 |
| MAND 3020 | Learn Chinese Through Film | 4 |
| MAND 3025 | Reading Chinese Short Stories | 4 |
| MAND 3031 | Chinese Cultural Concepts | 4 |
| MAND 3032 | Chinese Political Thought | 4 |
| MAND 3035 | Confucius and the Analects | 4 |
| MAND 3040 | Topics in Mandarin Chinese Literature | 4 |
| MAND 3050 | China in the Headlines: An Advanced Newspaper Reading Course in Mandarin Chinese | 4 |
| MAND 3055 | China and Globalization | 4 |
| MAND 3060 | Contemporary Chinese Politics | 4 |
| MLAL 3030 | Masterpieces of Chinese Film: Theory and Texts | 4 |
| MLAL 3031 | Chinese Cultural Concepts | 4 |
| MLAL 3043 | Aesthetics and Politics: Modern Chinese Literature | 4 |
| MLAL 3046 | Democracy and Democratization in China | 4 |
| MLAL 3047 | Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism: Chinese Thought and Literature | 4 |
| MLAL 3048 | Political Thought in Modern Asia | 4 |
| MLAL 3049 | Modern Chinese Political Thought | 4 |
| MLAL 3075 | Gender and China | 4 |
| MLAL 3110 | Anti-Racist Pedagogy | 4 |
| PHIL 3756 | Chinese Philosophy | 4 |
| PHIL 3759 | Buddhist Philosophy | 4 |
| PHIL 3770 | Daoist and Zen Philosophy | 4 |
| POSC 3631 | China and Russia in Comparative Perspective | 4 |
| POSC 3632 | China and U.S. in Global Era | 4 |
| POSC 3634 | The Great Law of China | 4 |
| POSC 3636 | China and the Global Economy | 4 |
| POSC 4022 | Seminar: China in Global Affairs | 4 |
| THEO 3723 | Tibetan Religion: Visionary Experience | 3 |
| THEO 3724 | Classic Buddhist Texts | 3 |
| THEO 3733 | Chinese Religions | 3 |
Policies
Study Abroad
All majors are strongly encouraged to study abroad. A maximum of four courses taken abroad for one semester and a maximum of five courses taken abroad for one year may apply toward the major.
Students who opt to apply study abroad credits toward their major must have these courses approved by their faculty adviser prior to going abroad.
Double-Counting
Upon approval from their major advisers, students may double count two courses towards the major in Chinese studies and another major or minor.
AP/IB Credit
All courses counting towards the core language requirement and the major or the minor in a modern foreign language, literature and culture must be taken for credit and a letter grade. When AP or IB credits are awarded as equivalent to the 1502 level in a language, these credits will be applied toward the core language requirement and, as elective credits, toward graduation, but they will not be applied toward the major or the minor in that language.
Availability
The major in Chinese studies is available at Fordham College at Rose Hill and Fordham College at Lincoln Center. Students in Fordham's School of Professional and Continuing Studies may major in Chinese studies only if they receive the approval of their advising dean and/or department, and their schedules are sufficiently flexible to permit them to take day courses at the Rose Hill or Lincoln Center campuses.
Fordham College at Rose Hill students: The requirements above are in addition to those of the Core Curriculum.
Fordham College at Lincoln Center students: The requirements above are in addition to those of the Core Curriculum.
Professional and Continuing Studies students: The requirements above are in addition to those of the PCS Core Curriculum and any additional electives that may be required to earn a minimum of 124 credits.