Mandarin Chinese Minor
The past three decades have witnessed the unprecedented development of China as the second largest economy in the world and a leading force in global politics, economy, and culture. Economic and cultural ties between the United States and China have also increased exponentially. Fordham has been a participant in these exchanges through the International Political Economy and Development program, and most recently through an agreement with the Gabelli School of Business. In this context, the study of Mandarin language has become increasingly relevant and popular among students at Fordham who want to complement their major and enhance their academic and research opportunities in multiple other fields.
Students who intend to minor in Mandarin Chinese should prepare their schedules in consultation with a Mandarin Chinese faculty adviser. To declare the minor and be assigned an adviser, please contact the department associate chair in your college.
Students minoring in Mandarin Chinese will take a minimum of six courses numbered MAND 1501 and higher, to be selected in consultation with the assigned departmental Mandarin Chinese minor adviser. These courses normally include:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Two MAND electives 1, 2 | 8 | |
- 1
Any course with the MAND subject code or MAND attribute code may apply. A list of these courses can be found here.
- 2
At least one 3000 level course is required. MAND 2500 is the prerequisite for all 3000-level MAND courses.
It is required that students take at least six Mandarin courses. Students who place out of MAND 1501, MAND 1502, or MAND 2001 will replace them with 2000- or 3000-level elective courses. For minors taking 3000-level MAND courses, MAND 2500 is a prerequisite.
Courses in the below group have the MAND attribute.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| COLI 3006 | Trauma Theory | 4 |
| MLAL 3003 | Intercultural Theory | 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 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 |
AB and 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.
Study Abroad
Students interested in the Mandarin Chinese minor are highly recommended to study in China or another Chinese-speaking country. Students are encouraged to study abroad during the summer, for a semester, or a year to either fulfill some of the required core courses or take upper-level electives. A maximum of two courses for the Mandarin Chinese minor may be taken abroad. Students who opt to apply study abroad credits toward their minor must have these courses approved by the Mandarin Chinese minor adviser prior to their going abroad.
Availability
The minor in Mandarin Chinese 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 minor in Mandarin Chinese 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.