Chinese (CHIN) < University of Pennsylvania

CHIN 0100 Beginning Chinese I

This course is designed for students with minimal to no prior exposure to Chinese. It aims to build foundational skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing within a dynamic and interactive learning environment. Emphasis is placed on correct pronunciation, tone accuracy, and basic grammatical structures. By the end of the course, students will have acquired 350-400 essential vocabulary words and gained an understanding of modern Chinese grammar, statement forms, and question structures. Students will gain linguistic and cultural competences needed to navigate daily life scenarios effectively. Students will learn to share personal information, discuss hobbies, make appointments, describe routines, and more, using appropriate language forms.

Fall

Mutually Exclusive: CHIN 5100

1 Course Unit

CHIN 0105 Spoken Chinese I

This course introduces spoken Mandarin Chinese to students with little or no prior experience. It focuses on developing interactive listening and effective speaking skills in a communicative learning environment. Instruction emphasizes language accuracy, including correct pronunciation, accurate tones, and mastery of basic grammatical structures. Students will acquire approximately 300 essential vocabulary items over the semester. By the end of the course, students will be able to use spoken Chinese in a range of everyday situations, such as introducing themselves and family members, shopping, making invitations, describing daily routines, using public transportation, and discussing personal interests. The course focuses exclusively on oral communication and listening comprehension.

Fall

Mutually Exclusive: CHIN 5105

1 Course Unit

CHIN 0131 Beginning Cantonese I

Beginning Cantonese is a preliminary course for spoken Cantonese. The course provides fundamental aspects of the dialect as experienced in daily life situations and lays the foundation which will enable students to communicate in Cantonese for daily life needs, such as making phone calls, making purchases, getting around by various means of transportation, seeing a doctor, being a guest or a host at dinner, talking about the weather, talking about sports and entertainment, etc. It is strongly recommended that students continue to Beginning Cantonese II to become conversational

Fall

Mutually Exclusive: CHIN 5131

1 Course Unit

CHIN 0133 Beginning Taiwanese I

Beginning Taiwanese I is designed to help students learn enough to enable them to handle basic social interactions when visiting Taiwan, such as greeting others, introducing yourself, ordering food, asking directions, etc. You will also learn to listen and understand the oral language typically heard in locations such as the grocery store, train station, bus stop, and restaurants.

Fall

Mutually Exclusive: CHIN 5133

1 Course Unit

CHIN 0160 Beginning Business Chinese I

This course, together with Beginning Business Chinese II, forms a two‑semester sequence that fulfills Wharton’s undergraduate foreign language requirement. While the course satisfies Wharton’s requirement, it is not restricted to Wharton students and is open to all students interested in developing Chinese for professional contexts. Designed for learners with little or no prior exposure to Mandarin, the course builds foundational listening, speaking, reading, and writing/typing skills with emphasis on oral communication in business settings. Students learn essential vocabulary for meeting people, scheduling appointments, and other basic professional interactions, along with practical language for navigating everyday life in China. Cultural instruction highlights social norms, communication styles, and workplace etiquette. By the end of the course, students gain beginning-level Mandarin proficiency and cross-cultural competence for effective communication in Chinese business and social environments.

Fall

Mutually Exclusive: CHIN 5160

1 Course Unit

CHIN 0200 Beginning Chinese II

Following CHIN-0100 Beginning Chinese I, this course is designed for students who completed one semester of college Chinese class. It aims to build foundational skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing within a dynamic and interactive learning environment. Emphasis is placed on correct pronunciation, tone accuracy, and basic grammatical structures. By the end of this course, students will have acquired another 300-350 essential vocabulary words and gained an understanding of modern Chinese grammar. Students will gain linguistic and cultural competences needed to navigate daily life scenarios effectively. Students will learn to describe weather conditions, talk about dietary preferences and restrictions, ask for and give directions, describe common cold and allergy symptoms, name and discuss some popular sports, and more, using appropriate language forms.

Spring

Mutually Exclusive: CHIN 5200

Prerequisite: CHIN 0100

1 Course Unit

CHIN 0205 Spoken Chinese II

This course is a continuation of CHIN 0105 Spoken Chinese I and further develops students’ interactive listening and effective speaking skills in Mandarin Chinese. Instruction continues to emphasize language accuracy, with particular attention to correct pronunciation, accurate tones, and expanded use of core grammatical structures. Students will acquire approximately 300 additional high-frequency vocabulary items. By the end of the course, students will be able to navigate a broader range of everyday linguistic and cultural situations, including describing basic weather conditions, ordering food at restaurants, asking for and giving directions, discussing common cold and allergy symptoms, making social plans, talking about popular sports, and describing plans for summer break. The course remains focused exclusively on spoken communication and listening comprehension.

Spring

Mutually Exclusive: CHIN 5205

Prerequisite: CHIN 0105

1 Course Unit

CHIN 0210 Intensive Beginning Chinese I & II

This intensive course is designed for students with limited prior exposure to Mandarin Chinese or other Chinese dialects who are not yet prepared to advance to the next level. The course develops a solid foundation in the four core language skills (listening, speaking, reading, and writing) within an interactive and communicative learning environment. Instruction emphasizes language accuracy, including correct pronunciation, accurate tones, and mastery of essential grammatical structures. Students are expected to acquire approximately 600–700 high-frequency vocabulary items over the semester. By the end of the course, students will be able to manage a wide range of everyday linguistic and cultural situations, such as shopping, ordering meals, making comparisons, narrating simple stories, discussing weather, describing basic medical conditions, asking for directions, making invitations, arranging travel and housing, and discussing personal interests and sports.

Fall

Mutually Exclusive: CHIN 5210

2 Course Units

CHIN 0220 Reading and Writing in Chinese I (for Fluent Speakers)

The course is designed for students who can speak Chinese but cannot read and write in Chinese characters. The major purpose of this course is to help students develop the ability to use written Mandarin Chinese in linguistically and socially appropriate ways. The literacy goal is to master 350 to 800 Chinese characters and to reach an intermediate-low level of ACTFL literacy proficiency. The key teaching approach is to holistically read a prodigious amount of materials. Students' reading abilities will be developed through reading short stories under instructions, and eventually through reading long stories and news independently.

Fall

Mutually Exclusive: CHIN 5220

1 Course Unit

CHIN 0231 Beginning Cantonese II

A continuation of Beginning Cantonese I, this class is a preliminary course for spoken Cantonese. The course provides fundamental aspects of the dialect as experienced in daily life situations and will enable students to communicate in Cantonese for daily life needs, such as making phone calls, making purchases, getting around by various means of transportation, seeing a doctor, being a guest or a host at dinner, talking about the weather, talking about sports and entertainment, etc.

Fall

Mutually Exclusive: CHIN 5231

Prerequisite: CHIN 0131

1 Course Unit

CHIN 0233 Beginning Taiwanese II

A continuation of Beginning Taiwanese I, this course will cover language training as well as cultural topics including history and political aspects of Taiwan. Conversation topics range from daily conversation to professional and formal situations.

Spring

Mutually Exclusive: CHIN 5233

Prerequisite: CHIN 0133

1 Course Unit

CHIN 0260 Beginning Business Chinese II

This course is the second half of a two‑semester sequence that fulfills Wharton’s undergraduate foreign language requirement. By completing this course, Wharton students fulfill the school’s language requirement. While it satisfies Wharton’s requirement, it is not limited to Wharton students and is open to all students seeking to develop Chinese for professional contexts. Building on the skills developed in Beginning Business Chinese I, this course further advances students’ listening, speaking, reading, and writing/typing abilities with increased emphasis on communication in business settings. Students expand vocabulary and functional expressions for a variety of professional and social interactions. Topics include visiting companies, introducing companies and products, initiating dining invitations, and practicing appropriate dining etiquette. Another key objective of this course is to deepen students’ understanding of Chinese business norms, interpersonal expectations, and communication styles, thereby developing the cross‑cultural competence needed to function successfully in professional Chinese environments.

Spring

Mutually Exclusive: CHIN 5260

Prerequisite: CHIN 0160

1 Course Unit

CHIN 0300 Intermediate Chinese I

CHIN 0300 Intermediate Chinese I is the continuing course for students who have completed CHIN 0200 or CHIN 0210 at Penn and those who have studied Chinese in high school and have been placed into the course through the Chinese language placement exam. The linguistic emphasis of this course is to continue building the foundations of speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills. At the end of this course, students should be able to reach Intermediate-Low to Intermediate-Mid level based on the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines. Students should have confidence talking with native Chinese speakers on familiar topics such as college experience and daily life routines. Students will also be introduced to important Chinese behavior cultures and social etiquette.

Fall

Mutually Exclusive: CHIN 5300

Prerequisite: CHIN 0200

1 Course Unit

CHIN 0301 Intermediate Chinese I

CHIN 0301 Intermediate Chinese I is the continuing course for students who have completed CHIN 0200 or CHIN 0210 at Penn and those who have studied Chinese in high school and have been placed into the third-semester Chinese course through the Chinese placement exam. The linguistic emphasis of this course is to continue building the foundations of speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills. At the end of this course, students should be able to reach Intermediate-Low to Intermediate-Mid level based on the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines. Students should have confidence talking with native Chinese speakers on familiar topics such as college experience and daily life routines. Students will also be introduced to important Chinese behavior cultures and social etiquette. This course is designed to prepare students for participation in a Penn Global Seminar field trip to China at the end of the semester. The on-site experience serves as the culmination of students’ linguistic and cultural learning, allowing them to apply their Chinese in authentic, real-world contexts. During the program, students will engage directly with local communities, institutions, and cultural sites, gaining firsthand insight into contemporary Chinese society while deepening their appreciation for China’s long history and rich cultural heritage.

Fall

Prerequisite: CHIN 0200

1 Course Unit

CHIN 0305 Spoken Chinese III

This is an intermediate-level Chinese language course for students who have completed Beginning Chinese or have at least one year of prior study. The course focuses primarily on speaking and listening, with a limited and supportive introduction to reading Chinese characters. Its central goal is to strengthen students’ oral proficiency and communicative confidence in Mandarin. Through a wide range of interactive activities, including pair and group discussions, role-plays, debates, and task-based projects, students develop the ability to communicate spontaneously on familiar topics such as college life, daily routines, and social experiences. By the end of the course, students are expected to reach the Intermediate-Low to Intermediate-Mid level in speaking and listening according to the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines. Cultural themes, authentic materials, and attention to Chinese social norms and etiquette are incorporated in the course to prepare students to use spoken Chinese effectively and appropriately in real-world contexts.

Fall

Mutually Exclusive: CHIN 5305

Prerequisite: CHIN 0205

1 Course Unit

CHIN 0331 Intermediate Cantonese I

Intermediate Cantonese is a course for students who are able to communicate in the dialect in basic survival situations. Through this course, the students will acquire a better understanding of Cantonese and its related culture, and can confidently cope with a wide range of situations. Classes will be conducted through Cantonese textbooks, discussions of various topics, and composition and presentation of students' own dialogues so that in time they may express more complex ideas and feelings. Continuation to Intermediate Cantonese II is strongly encouraged.

Fall

Mutually Exclusive: CHIN 5331

Prerequisite: CHIN 0231

1 Course Unit

CHIN 0333 Intermediate Taiwanese I

Students will further develop their speaking and listening skills and will be able to communicate with ease and confidence when dealing with everyday routine tasks. Students will also gain skills to process and seek information in Taiwanese. Conversation topics include New Year, folk songs, and Tang poetry. Authentic materials are used for enhancing reading, listening, and speaking practices.

Fall

Mutually Exclusive: CHIN 5333

Prerequisite: CHIN 0233

1 Course Unit

CHIN 0400 Intermediate Chinese II

CHIN 0400 Intermediate Chinese II is the continuing course for students who have completed CHIN 0300 Intermediate Chinese I at Penn, as well as for those who have learned Chinese in high schools and been placed into the course through the Chinese placement exam. As a second-semester intermediate-level course, the linguistic emphasis of this course is on further building the foundation of speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills. At the end of this course, students should reach the Intermediate-Mid to Intermediate-High level based on the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines. Students should have confidence talking with Chinese native speakers on both familiar and profound topics such as holidays/traditions, health and lifestyle, Chinese history, and environmental protection. This course also aims to introduce students to a changing China from the rapid urbanization and globalization to the continuous development of transportation and infrastructure as well as cutting-edge business and industrial technology. Meanwhile, China is still rich in cultural heritage and has a long history. This course enables students to have a better understanding and analysis of contemporary Chinese society through learning its language and culture.

Spring

Mutually Exclusive: CHIN 5400

Prerequisite: CHIN 0300

1 Course Unit

CHIN 0401 Intermediate Chinese II

CHIN 0401 Intermediate Chinese II is the continuing course for students who have completed CHIN 0300 Intermediate Chinese I at Penn, as well as for those who have learned Chinese in high schools and been placed into the fourth-semester Chinese course through the Chinese placement exam. The linguistic emphasis of this course is on further building the foundation of speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills. At the end of this course, students should reach the Intermediate-Mid to Intermediate-High level based on the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines. Students should have confidence talking with Chinese native speakers on both familiar and profound topics such as holidays/traditions, health and lifestyle, Chinese history, and environmental protection. This course also aims to introduce students to a changing China from the rapid urbanization and globalization to the continuous development of transportation and infrastructure as well as cutting-edge business and industrial technology. Meanwhile, China is still rich in cultural heritage and has a long history. This course enables students to have a better understanding and analysis of contemporary Chinese society through learning its language and culture. This course is designed to prepare students for participation in a Penn Global Seminar field trip to China at the end of the semester. The on-site experience serves as the culmination of students’ linguistic and cultural learning, allowing them to apply their Chinese in authentic, real-world contexts. During the program, students will engage directly with local communities, institutions, and cultural sites, gaining firsthand insight into contemporary Chinese society while deepening their appreciation for China’s long history and rich cultural heritage.

Spring

Prerequisite: CHIN 0300

1 Course Unit

CHIN 0405 Spoken Chinese IV

This course is the continuation of CHIN 0305 for students who are ready to further develop their oral proficiency in Mandarin. This intermediate-level course focuses primarily on speaking and listening, with a limited and supportive introduction to reading Chinese characters. Its central goal is to help students move toward more advanced, accurate, and fluent spoken communication in both everyday and academic contexts. Building on the foundation established in Spoken Chinese III, students further refine pronunciation, improve fluency, and learn to produce more complex spoken language. Through a wide range of interactive activities and projects, students develop the ability to communicate spontaneously and confidently on both familiar and more substantial topics, such as holidays and traditions, health and lifestyle, history, and contemporary social issues. By the end of the course, students are expected to reach the Intermediate-Mid to Intermediate-High level in speaking and listening according to the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines. Cultural themes and authentic materials introduce students to contemporary Chinese society, from rapid urbanization and technological development to enduring cultural traditions.

Spring

Mutually Exclusive: CHIN 5405

Prerequisite: CHIN 0305

1 Course Unit

CHIN 0410 Intensive Intermediate Chinese I & II

This intensive course is a continuation of CHIN 0210 Intensive Beginning Chinese I & II and is designed for students who have completed approximately one year of college-level Chinese. It consolidates and expands students’ foundations in listening, speaking, reading, and writing while introducing more complex grammatical structures, vocabulary, and discourse patterns. Instruction emphasizes accuracy, fluency, and appropriate language use across oral and written contexts, while also deepening students’ understanding of contemporary Chinese culture, society, and everyday life. By the end of the course, students will be able to engage in longer conversations on a range of familiar topics, read and produce extended texts, and use common idiomatic expressions and rhetorical structures appropriately.

Spring

Mutually Exclusive: CHIN 5410

Prerequisite: CHIN 0210

2 Course Units

CHIN 0420 Reading and Writing in Chinese II (for Fluent Speakers)

A continuation of Reading/Writing Chinese I, this course is designed for students who can speak Chinese and have reading ability of about 1000 Chinese characters. It is specifically designed for students at the ACTFL intermediate-low reading and writing level. The literacy goal is to master 1000 to 2000 Chinese words and reach the intermediate-mid proficiency level. Reading material covers topics that are meaningful to students not only to increase engagement and confidence in their Chinese reading skills, but also foster students' appreciation and understanding of the Chinese culture.

Spring

Mutually Exclusive: CHIN 5420

Prerequisite: CHIN 0320

1 Course Unit

CHIN 0431 Intermediate Cantonese II

This course is a continuation of Intermediate Cantonese I and is designed for students who already possess basic Cantonese communication skills. The course aims to further enhance students' language abilities and deepen their understanding of Cantonese culture. Throughout the semester, students will work with Cantonese textbooks and explore topics such as politics, history, and popular culture. They will also create and present projects on topics of their interest. By the end of the course, students will be able to express more complex ideas and emotions with greater accuracy and confidence.

Spring

Mutually Exclusive: CHIN 5431

Prerequisite: CHIN 0331

1 Course Unit

CHIN 0433 Intermediate Taiwanese II

This is a continuation of Intermediate Taiwanese I. Students will further develop their speaking and listening skills and will be able to communicate with ease and confidence when dealing with everyday routine tasks. Students will also gain skills to process and seek information in Taiwanese. Conversation topics include the New Year, folk songs and Tang poetry. Authentic materials are used for enhancing reading, listening, and speaking practices.

Spring

Mutually Exclusive: CHIN 5433

Prerequisite: CHIN 0333

1 Course Unit

CHIN 0500 High Intermediate Chinese I

This course builds on what students have learned in beginning and intermediate Modern Chinese and further develops their language proficiency by introducing the formal register used in academic, professional, and public contexts. Students explore contemporary Chinese culture, society, and everyday life since China’s economic reforms and opening up in 1978, using comparisons with the United States to strengthen their intercultural communicative competence. Through ten thematic units—including language policy, manufacturing, economic discourse, state-owned enterprises, Sino–U.S. relations, education, censorship, Taiwan, and population aging—the course integrates language learning with meaningful content through a Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) approach. A wide range of authentic materials, such as TikTok videos and other media, are used to promote multimodal learning. Students also learn to use AI-based tools responsibly and effectively—including machine translation, optical character recognition, speech recognition and synthesis, and large language models—to support continued Chinese learning beyond Penn.

Fall

Mutually Exclusive: CHIN 5500

Prerequisite: CHIN 0400

1 Course Unit

CHIN 0520 Reading and Writing Chinese III (for Fluent Speakers)

An intermediate reading and writing course designed for students at the ACTFL intermediate-mid reading and writing proficiency. The goal of this course is to reach the intermediate-high level of proficiency. This course concentrates on writing of muti-paragraph essays through the use of conventional rhetorical modes and standard grammatical structures. Students will be given ample time to think and to discuss (the crucial "brainstorming" phase) before writing. The course stresses content, culture and comparison and draws its content from assigned readings and evidence-based argument from texts and other stimuli such as Internet, newspapers and films.

Fall

Mutually Exclusive: CHIN 5520

Prerequisite: CHIN 0420

1 Course Unit

CHIN 0600 High Intermediate Chinese II

This course is a continuation of 0500 and further develops students' advanced Chinese language proficiency through the study of more complex grammatical structures, expanded vocabulary, and formal registers. Students deepen their understanding of contemporary Chinese society, culture, and everyday life since China's economic reforms and opening in 1978 by engaging with economically, socially, and politically relevant topics, including obesity, the Five-Year Plans, population aging, infrastructure development and ethnic minorities, 5G technology, study-abroad policies, the Hong Kong issue, e-commerce, and the history of Sino-foreign cultural exchanges. Adopting a Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) approach, the course uses a wide range of authentic materials--such as bilingual news articles from The New York Times and other media--to promote multimodal learning. Students also learn to use AI-based tools responsibly and effectively, including machine translation, optical character recognition, speech recognition and synthesis, and large language models, to support continued Chinese learning beyond Penn.

Spring

Mutually Exclusive: CHIN 5600

Prerequisite: CHIN 0500

1 Course Unit

CHIN 0601 High Intermediate Chinese II

This course is the Penn Global Seminar version of 0600 and further develops students’ advanced Chinese language proficiency in real-world contexts. In addition to classroom learning, the course includes a two-week study trip to Beijing and Shanghai, which provides a pivotal opportunity to connect language study with lived experience. Adopting a Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) approach, the course integrates language instruction with socially, economically, and politically relevant topics—including obesity, the Five-Year Plans, population aging, infrastructure development, ethnic minorities, 5G technology, study-abroad policies, the Hong Kong issue, e-commerce, and the history of Sino-foreign cultural exchanges. Learning is supported through authentic materials and the responsible use of AI-based tools, such as machine translation, speech recognition, optical character recognition, and large language models.

Not Offered Every Year

Mutually Exclusive: CHIN 5600

Prerequisite: CHIN 0500

1 Course Unit

CHIN 0620 Reading and Writing Chinese IV (for Fluent Speakers)

This is an intermediate language class presuming basic fluency in speaking and listening and focusing on reading and writing abilities. By the end of the semester students are expected to have mastered the 1200 most commonly used characters and to have the ability to read basic Chinese texts. Students will be prepared for Advanced Modern Chinese, Media Chinese and Business Chinese.

Spring

Mutually Exclusive: CHIN 5620

Prerequisite: CHIN 0520

1 Course Unit

CHIN 0700 Advanced Chinese I

This is an advanced-level Chinese language course aiming to enhance students’ Chinese language skills and cultural literacy in order to communicate with their contemporary Chinese peers. Students learn to master more advanced-level vocabulary, structures and expressions through topics such as technology and society, consumer culture, popular culture and TV drama, economy and urbanization. With a manageable load of assignments and practices, students will gradually make the transition from the intermediate high to advanced level of Chinese. Advanced reading skills such as literal reading and inferential reading will also be introduced. By the end of the semester, students are expected to be able to narrate, describe, and comment on societal issues more confidently without overly relying on AI or machine translation tools.

Fall

Mutually Exclusive: CHIN 5700

Prerequisite: CHIN 0600

1 Course Unit

CHIN 0701 Advanced Chinese I

This is a PGS course with a 10-day field study trip to China (Beijing and Qufu in Shandong Province) in early January. The linguistic acquisition component of this course is the same as the regular CHIN0700 Advanced Chinese I, aiming to enhance students’ Chinese language skills and cultural literacy in order to communicate directly with their contemporary Chinese peers. Students learn to master more advanced-level vocabulary, structures and expression through topics such as technology and society, consumer culture, popular culture and TV drama, economy and urbanization. With a manageable load of assignments and practices, students will gradually make the transition from the intermediate high to advanced level of Chinese. Advanced reading skills such as literal reading and inferential reading will also be introduced. By the end of the semester, students are expected to be able to narrate, describe, and comment on societal issues more confidently without overly relying on AI or machine translation tools. In addition, students are expected to share their research in Chinese with local Chinese university students during their field trip.

Fall

Prerequisite: CHIN 0600

1 Course Unit

CHIN 0705 Advanced Spoken Chinese I

This advanced Chinese language course is designed for students who have completed at least the intermediate-level course (CHIN-0600) at the University of Pennsylvania or have studied Mandarin Chinese for a minimum of three years. The course's primary objective is to consolidate and build upon the language knowledge and skills that students have acquired in previous classes. The course strongly emphasizes enhancing oral proficiency and deepening cultural understanding with authentic Chinese materials, including films, news articles, websites, and podcasts. The course will explore a diverse range of themes, including but not limited to Penn Museum and the protection of Chinese cultural relics, Life at Penn, Chinese immigrants in the U.S., the status of women in China, the Three-child policy, China’s political system, Sino-US relations, the Belt and Road Initiative, China’s approach to sustainability and technology, and Wolf Warrior Diplomacy in China. In addition to thematic exploration, the course aims to connect students' Chinese language skills and cultural knowledge with their academic interests. Students will be challenged to deliver presentations on topics related to their majors or minors, encouraging them to apply their language skills in an academic context.

Fall

Mutually Exclusive: CHIN 5705

Prerequisite: CHIN 0600

1 Course Unit

CHIN 0800 Advanced Chinese II

This is an advanced-level Chinese language course aiming to enhance students’ Chinese language skills and cultural literacy in order to communicate with their contemporary Chinese peers. Students learn to master more advanced-level vocabulary, structures and expressions through topics such as social changes in education and marriage, traditional food culture, Confucius and his philosophy, and geopolitics. With a manageable workload, students will consolidate their interpretive and presentation skills in Chinese at the advanced level. By the end of the semester, students are expected to be able to read and summarize materials written or produced mainly for native speakers in order to conduct college level research and deliver presentations in the target language for academic or professional purposes.

Spring

Mutually Exclusive: CHIN 5800

Prerequisite: CHIN 0700

1 Course Unit

CHIN 0801 Advanced Chinese II

This is a PGS course with a 10-day field study trip to China (Beijing and Qufu in Shandong Province) in mid-May. The linguistic acquisition component of this course is the same as the regular CHIN0800 Advanced Chinese II, aiming to enhance students’ Chinese language skills and cultural literacy in order to communicate directly with their contemporary Chinese peers. Students learn to master more advanced-level vocabulary, structures and expression through topics such as social changes in education and marriage, traditional food culture, Confucius and his philosophy, and geopolitics. With a manageable workload, students will consolidate their interpretive and presentational skills in Chinese at the advanced level. By the end of the semester, students are expected to be able to read and summarize materials written or produced mainly for native speakers in order to conduct college level research and deliver presentations in the target language for academic or professional purposes. In addition, students are expected to share their research in Chinese with local Chinese university students during their field trip.

Spring

Prerequisite: CHIN 0700

1 Course Unit

CHIN 0805 Advanced Spoken Chinese II

This course is designed for students who have completed at least the intermediate-level Chinese language course (CHIN-0600) at the University of Pennsylvania or have studied the language for a minimum of three years. The objective of this course is to consolidate the knowledge and skills students have acquired in previous Mandarin Chinese classes and to enhance their oral expressive skills and knowledge of China by using authentic Chinese materials, such as Chinese movies, news, websites, and podcasts. The course themes include religion, race and immigration, foreign policy, family relations, LGBTQ+ issues, abortion, gun control, and health insurance. In addition, the course emphasizes connecting students' knowledge of the Chinese language and China with their academic majors and minors. Students will be challenged to give presentations on topics related to their academic studies. By the end of the semester, students are expected to be able to engage in a conversation with a Mandarin speaker on various common topics and gather the necessary information for conducting oral presentations and speeches. Students' presentational and conversational skills are strengthened, and they gain confidence in working with authentic Chinese materials.

Spring

Mutually Exclusive: CHIN 5805

Prerequisite: CHIN 0705

1 Course Unit

CHIN 0840 Chinese Short Stories

This course is designed for students with advanced-level Chinese proficiency who wish to further refine pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary usage. Emphasizing oral discussion, composition, and linguistic accuracy, the course engages students in close reading of carefully selected short stories by contemporary Chinese writers. Through these texts, students will explore the lives, attitudes, and perspectives of ordinary people in modern China. Class discussions and analytical activities will deepen understanding of social change and human relationships in contemporary Chinese society. By engaging critically with the readings, students will enhance cultural literacy while improving reading, speaking, listening, and writing skills.

Fall or Spring

Mutually Exclusive: CHIN 5840

Prerequisite: CHIN 0800

1 Course Unit

CHIN 0848 Chinese for Law and International Relations

This advanced-level course is designed for students interested in law, international relations, political science, and related social science fields who wish to develop professional Chinese language skills for global and policy-oriented contexts. The course focuses on building students’ ability to understand, discuss, and analyze legal, political, and international affairs topics in Chinese, while strengthening advanced listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Through readings, media materials, case discussions, and guided analysis, students will engage with topics such as legal institutions, governance, diplomacy, international organizations, global disputes, and cross-border cooperation involving China and the Chinese-speaking world. Emphasis is placed on key terminology, discourse conventions, and communicative strategies used in professional and policy settings. By the end of the course, students will be able to communicate more confidently and effectively about legal and international issues in Chinese, demonstrating both linguistic precision and cross-cultural awareness.

Spring

Mutually Exclusive: CHIN 5848

1 Course Unit

CHIN 0860 Business Chinese I

This course is designed to strengthen students’ Chinese language proficiency in business contexts while deepening their understanding of the contemporary business environment and culture in China. Through the study of authentic business cases, students examine how multinational corporations have successfully operated in the Chinese market, as well as how Chinese companies develop strategies for global expansion. The course integrates language practice with case analysis and is conducted through a variety of formats, including targeted linguistic exercises, in-depth discussion of business cases, student presentations, and AI-assisted business case writing. Instruction is conducted primarily in Chinese, and students are expected to use Chinese exclusively during class meetings. By the end of the semester, students will: (a) acquire professional vocabulary and improved fluency to communicate more confidently and effectively in international business settings; (b) develop a deeper awareness of China’s contemporary consumer market and business landscape; and (c) gain the ability to research, analyze, and interpret business cases and related information in Chinese.

Fall

Mutually Exclusive: CHIN 5860

Prerequisite: CHIN 0620 AND CHIN 0800

1 Course Unit

CHIN 0865 Business Chinese II

A continuation of Business Chinese I, this course further develops students' Chinese language proficiency through business-oriented, content-based instruction. The course aims to strengthen students' ability to communicate effectively in professional settings while deepening their understanding of the business environment and commercial culture in contemporary China. Course topics include the development of international companies in the Chinese market and Chinese companies' strategies for global expansion. Throughout the semester, students engage in structured discussions of real business cases, apply newly acquired business vocabulary to research and presentations, analyze business-related video materials, and speak analytically about U.S.-China business issues. Emphasis is placed on developing higher-level language and analytical skills, including comparison, synthesis, and evaluation, to better understand the dynamics of U.S.-China business relations. By examining diverse business cases, students gain insight into business decision-making processes and progressively cultivate the ability to think critically from multiple perspectives in Chinese.

Spring

Mutually Exclusive: CHIN 5865

Prerequisite: CHIN 0800 AND CHIN 0870 AND CHIN 0860

1 Course Unit

CHIN 0870 Media Chinese I

This advanced course, offered in conjunction with Media Chinese II, uses up‑to‑date authentic news materials—including news articles, reports, and commentary—to strengthen students’ ability to read, interpret, and discuss major contemporary issues in the Chinese‑speaking world. Covering topics such as the economy, international relations, sports, and technology, this course provides targeted vocabulary support, cultural and socio‑political background information, and structured activities and tasks to help students develop greater accuracy, fluency, and confidence in engaging with news discourse. Students will also develop skills in locating, verifying, and critically evaluating Chinese‑language news sources for everyday, academic, and professional research. Through in‑depth discussion of diverse viewpoints, the course enhances students’ cross‑cultural communication competence and fosters a more nuanced understanding of current events. Designed for advanced and heritage learners, this course aims to strengthen practical language proficiency, build media literacy, and cultivate critical thinking about the news.

Fall or Spring

Mutually Exclusive: CHIN 5870

Prerequisite: CHIN 0620 AND CHIN 0700 AND CHIN 0840

1 Course Unit

CHIN 0875 Media Chinese II

This advanced course builds on Media Chinese I and expands beyond traditional official media to a wider range of social‑media‑driven sources, including major Chinese platforms such as TikTok and Little Red Book, as well as online videos, films, advertisements, and other digital content, giving students a more comprehensive understanding of Chinese mass media and contemporary society. Through targeted vocabulary support, socio‑cultural background information, and structured activities and discussions, the course helps students communicate with greater accuracy, fluency, and confidence in digital and visual media contexts. Students will also learn to analyze multimodal media materials. By engaging with the diverse voices and cultural perspectives present across media practices, the course fosters cross‑cultural communication competence and encourages students to critically examine how different media forms construct meaning and representation. Designed for advanced and heritage learners, it further develops students’ Chinese media literacy, cross‑cultural communication skills, and critical cultural thinking.

Mutually Exclusive: CHIN 5875

Prerequisite: CHIN 0620 AND CHIN 0700 AND CHIN 0840

1 Course Unit

CHIN 0878 Advanced Medical Chinese

This advanced-level course is designed for students in healthcare-related fields such as pre-medicine, nursing, biology, and neuroscience who seek to develop professional proficiency in medical Chinese. The course strengthens students’ ability to communicate accurately and effectively in clinical and healthcare settings, with emphasis on medical terminology, symptom description, diagnostic procedures, and treatment explanations. Organized around major human body systems, the course introduces key anatomical vocabulary, common diseases, and clinical interactions across specialties such as cardiology, pulmonology, gastroenterology, neurology, psychiatry, endocrinology, and hematology. In addition to language training, the course integrates cultural perspectives on healthcare in Chinese-speaking communities, including traditional Chinese medicine, public health, mental health, end-of-life care, and childbirth practices. By the end of the course, students will be able to communicate professionally and with cultural sensitivity in diverse medical contexts.

Fall or Spring

Mutually Exclusive: CHIN 5878

1 Course Unit

CHIN 1040 Readings in Modern Chinese: Literature I

This course develops students’ advanced Mandarin Chinese proficiency through the critical reading, discussion, and writing of literary texts. Emphasis is placed on close reading and analytical interpretation of unabridged works by major Chinese writers representing a range of genres and styles in modern Chinese literary history. Through these texts, students explore significant themes in Chinese culture and history while refining their ability to express complex ideas in formal written and spoken Chinese. Students strengthen discourse competence by practicing narration, summarization, argumentation, explanation, and hypothesis-building, and by supporting ideas with textual evidence. Class instruction and discussion are conducted entirely in Chinese and are complemented by selected Chinese films related to the literary themes under study. By the end of the course, students will have enhanced their analytical and critical thinking skills, gained greater linguistic precision and fluency, and developed a deeper understanding of Chinese society and culture, enabling them to engage thoughtfully and in detail with a wide range of literary and cultural topics in Chinese.

Spring

Mutually Exclusive: CHIN 6040

Prerequisite: CHIN 0840 AND CHIN 0870 AND CHIN 0865

1 Course Unit

CHIN 1045 Readings in Modern Chinese: Literature II

This course is designed to further develop students’ Mandarin Chinese proficiency in all aspects and to prepare them for more advanced Chinese studies at the graduate level. The course follows the same structure as Readings in Modern Chinese Literature I, but features different reading materials and thematic focuses. Students will engage with significant topics in Chinese culture and history through a selection of texts written in diverse genres and styles by major figures in modern Chinese literary history. Emphasis is placed on literary close reading and examining individual authors, various themes, genres, and time periods, enabling students to develop strong Chinese language proficiency and a deeper understanding of modern and contemporary China. A key component of the course is the development of critical essay-writing skills in Chinese. In addition, students will view and discuss selected Chinese films related to the course readings. The course is conducted entirely in Chinese.

Spring

Mutually Exclusive: CHIN 6045

Prerequisite: CHIN 0840 AND CHIN 0870 AND CHIN 0865

1 Course Unit

CHIN 1048 Readings in Modern Chinese: Documents

This is an advanced reading course designed for students with a Chinese proficiency at the Advanced-Mid and above and interested to read materials written in modern expository Chinese (academic, journalistic and polemical) that focus on cultural, political, economic, and social issues of contemporary China. Focus will be given to developing students’ ability to read, summarize, analyze, and discuss documents and journal articles in Chinese, in hope to facilitate students to use and cite Chinese references in their academic or professional research. Students are also expected to gain a deeper understanding of Chinese society and culture through close reading and discussion of the selected texts.

Not Offered Every Year

Mutually Exclusive: CHIN 6048

Prerequisite: CHIN 0870 AND CHIN 0860 AND CHIN 1040

1 Course Unit

CHIN 1050 Introduction to Classical Chinese I

Introduction to the classical written language, beginning with Shadick, First Course in Literary Chinese. Students with a background in Japanese, Korean, Cantonese, Taiwanese, and other East Asian languages are welcome; it is not necessary to know Mandarin. The course begins from scratch, and swiftly but rigorously develops the ability to read a wide variety of classical and semi-classical styles. Original texts from the 6th century BC to the 20th century AD are studied. This course is taught in English and there are no prerequisites.

Fall

Also Offered As: EALC 3621

Mutually Exclusive: EALC 7621

1 Course Unit

CHIN 1055 Introduction to Classical Chinese II

Continuation of Intro to Classical Chinese I, which is the only prerequisite for this course. Upon completion of Shadick, readings in a wide selection of texts with Chinese commentaries may be taken up. These readings are in part chosen to reflect student interest. This is the second half of a year-long course. Those who enroll must take both semesters.

Spring

Also Offered As: EALC 3622

Mutually Exclusive: EALC 7622

Prerequisite: EALC 3621

1 Course Unit

CHIN 1060 Advanced Business Chinese I

This content-based course provides students with the conceptual framework to understand issues China has been facing since its economic reform in 1978. Topics include WTO principles, the change of China's state-owned enterprises, China's economy in Mao's period, and the pros and cons of globalization. Students will be trained in reading ﬁnancial articles, discussing international trades, conducting online research and giving business presentations. After the course, students will become more sophisticated in their understanding of China's economic development and in using Chinese business terminology in professional settings. The course assumes basic background in business and advanced level proﬁciency in Chinese language.

Fall

Mutually Exclusive: CHIN 6060

Prerequisite: CHIN 0865

1 Course Unit

CHIN 1065 Advanced Business Chinese II

This course is a continuation of Advanced Business Chinese I and follows the same format. Topics include Eastern and Western management styles, the global ﬁnancial market, China's ﬁnancial market reforms, and mergers and acquisitions in China. At the end of the semester, students will submit a business proposal for the ﬁnal project.

Spring

Mutually Exclusive: CHIN 6065

Prerequisite: CHIN 1060

1 Course Unit

CHIN 1140 Advanced Readings in Chinese Culture

The objective of this advanced level content-based course is to extend and reﬁne students' language and analytical skills while enhancing an appreciation of Chinese culture. The course is for students with native or near-native competency in Mandarin. Each class will include reading, reflection and interpretation, and the exchange of ideas. All reading materials are in Chinese with no glossary and all are written by scholars whose expertise are either in the contemporary and traditional culture of China, or in comparative study of Chinese and Western thoughts. Topics include: 1) the shared beliefs and behaviors of Chinese people; 2) traditional values and new values in the technological and business society; 3) how affection and love are manifested in Chinese culture; 4) what influenced the surge of popularity of Chinese wuxia ﬁction; (5) what it means to be descendants of Chinese (huayi) living outside China. The class is conducted exclusively in Mandarin Chinese.

Spring

Mutually Exclusive: CHIN 6140

Prerequisite: CHIN 1040 AND CHIN 1060

1 Course Unit

CHIN 1147 Advanced Readings in Modern Chinese Literature

This course surveys major literary movements in China since the end of the Cultural Revolution (1978–present). The 1980s and 1990s—often referred to as the “New Era”—marked a period of unprecedented intellectual openness and creative vitality. The course provides an overview of New Era literature through close readings of influential works published in the final two decades of the twentieth century. Selected films adapted from literary works of this period are also included. Designed for students with native or near-native proficiency in Chinese reading, the course requires extensive reading and places strong emphasis on the development of critical essay-writing skills in Chinese. The course is conducted entirely in Chinese.

Spring

Mutually Exclusive: CHIN 6147

Prerequisite: CHIN 1040 AND CHIN 1045 AND CHIN 1048 AND CHIN 1060 AND CHIN 1065

1 Course Unit

CHIN 1148 Chinese for Specific Purposes: Legal Chinese

Legal Chinese is a superior-level content-based course providing students with a brief overview of Chinese state laws, legal business cases and the study of legal Chinese terminologies. Through text reading and legal business case discussion, the class engages Penn professional school students and undergraduate social science majors in legal case study, encouraging them to reflect on what they read, as well as giving them the opportunity to experience a course that brings together Chinese legal content and Chinese professional literacy training. The goal of the course is to help students better understand the legal language and content in order to prepare them for specific careers of interest. By the end of the semester, students should be able to 1. use of professional Chinese terms in written report and oral presentations 2. demonstrate awareness of Chinese legal system and laws 3. participate more confidently in negotiations and meetings 4. describe the differences between Chinese and American legal education and principles 5. summarize and explain how a client won or lose a legal case 6. conduct professional oral presentation using content-specific terms 7. apply legal principles, concepts to one’s own discipline and future career

Spring

Mutually Exclusive: CHIN 6148

Prerequisite: CHIN 0870

1 Course Unit

CHIN 1150 Advanced Classical Chinese I

Close reading and interpretation of texts in various styles of classical Chinese drawn from the Han, Wei, Tang, and Song periods. Focus on strengthening students' reading ability in classical Chinese. Attention to questions of style, rhetoric, and syntax.

Fall

Also Offered As: EALC 3623

Mutually Exclusive: EALC 8621

1 Course Unit

CHIN 1155 Advanced Classical Chinese II

Close reading and interpretation of texts in various styles of classical Chinese drawn from the Han, Wei, Tang, and Song periods. Focus on strengthening students' reading ability in classical Chinese. Attention to questions of style, rhetoric, and syntax. It is preferred, but not required, that students take Advanced Classical Chinese I first.

Spring

Also Offered As: EALC 3624

Mutually Exclusive: EALC 8622

1 Course Unit

CHIN 5100 Beginning Chinese I

This course is designed for students with minimal to no prior exposure to Chinese. It aims to build foundational skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing within a dynamic and interactive learning environment. Emphasis is placed on correct pronunciation, tone accuracy, and basic grammatical structures. By the end of the course, students will have acquired 350-400 essential vocabulary words and gained an understanding of modern Chinese grammar, statement forms, and question structures. Students will gain linguistic and cultural competences needed to navigate daily life scenarios effectively. Students will learn to share personal information, discuss hobbies, make appointments, describe routines, and more, using appropriate language forms.

Fall

Mutually Exclusive: CHIN 0100

1 Course Unit

CHIN 5105 Spoken Chinese I

This course is designed for students who have little or no previous exposure to Chinese. The main objective of the course is to help students develop their listening and speaking skills. The emphasis is on correct pronunciation, accurate tones and mastery of basic grammatical structures. Chinese characters will not be taught.

Fall

Mutually Exclusive: CHIN 0105

1 Course Unit

CHIN 5131 Beginning Cantonese I

Beginning Cantonese is a preliminary course for spoken Cantonese. The course provides fundamental aspects of the dialect as experienced in daily life situations and lays the foundation which will enable students to communicate in Cantonese for daily life needs, such as making phone calls, making purchases, getting around by various means of transportation, seeing a doctor, being a guest or a host at dinner, talking about the weather, talking about sports and entertainment, etc. It is strongly recommended that students continue to Beginning Cantonese II to become conversational

Fall

Mutually Exclusive: CHIN 0131

1 Course Unit

CHIN 5133 Beginning Taiwanese I

Beginning Taiwanese I is designed to help students learn enough to enable them to handle basic social interactions when visiting Taiwan, such as greeting others, introducing yourself, ordering food, asking directions, etc. You will also learn to listen and understand the oral language typically heard in locations such as the grocery store, train station, bus stop, and restaurants.

Fall

Mutually Exclusive: CHIN 0133

1 Course Unit

CHIN 5160 Beginning Business Chinese I

Along with Beginning Business Chinese II, this is the first course in a two-semester sequence. By completing both semesters, students will fulfill Wharton's undergraduate foreign language requirement. The sequence begins each fall semester. This course is designed to introduce students with little or no prior exposure to Mandarin Chinese to beginning-level business Chinese. Throughout this course, students will develop listening, speaking, reading, and writing/typing skills, with a primary emphasis on listening and speaking in Mandarin-speaking business contexts. This will be achieved by acquiring basic vocabulary and expressions related to business activities, such as visiting companies and making appointments. Furthermore, students will also be exposed to useful expressions for everyday life in China, including greetings, introductions, and navigating daily situations. The course places a strong emphasis on culture, considering it a critical component. Students will actively explore Chinese social and cultural norms, fostering an understanding of Chinese cultural products, practices, perspectives, and interpersonal behavioral culture. This knowledge equips students to communicate effectively across ethnic, cultural, ideological, and national boundaries. An additional objective of this course is to help students develop cross-cultural competence, enabling them to navigate and succeed in professional Chinese environments.

Fall

Mutually Exclusive: CHIN 0160

1 Course Unit

CHIN 5200 Beginning Chinese II

Following CHIN-0100 Beginning Chinese I, this course is designed for students who completed one semester of college Chinese class. It aims to build foundational skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing within a dynamic and interactive learning environment. Emphasis is placed on correct pronunciation, tone accuracy, and basic grammatical structures. By the end of this course, students will have acquired another 300-350 essential vocabulary words and gained an understanding of modern Chinese grammar. Students will gain linguistic and cultural competences needed to navigate daily life scenarios effectively. Students will learn to describe weather conditions, talk about dietary preferences and restrictions, ask for and give directions, describe common cold and allergy symptoms, name and discuss some popular sports, and more, using appropriate language forms.

Spring

Mutually Exclusive: CHIN 0200

Prerequisite: CHIN 5100 OR CHIN 0100

1 Course Unit

CHIN 5205 Spoken Chinese II

A continuation of Spoken Chinese I, this course is to help students develop their listening and speaking skills. The emphasis is on correct pronunciation, accurate tones and mastery of basic grammatical structures. By the end of the semester, students will be able to manage many situations that have immediate concern to them, such as relating one's personal life and experiences, expressing preferences and feelings, ordering meals, purchasing goods, asking for directions. To achieve this goal, the class is to be conducted in Chinese as much as possible. Chinese characters will also be introduced, but will not be the focus of the class.

Mutually Exclusive: CHIN 0205

Prerequisite: CHIN 0105

1 Course Unit

CHIN 5210 Intensive Beginning Chinese I & II

This intensive course is designed for students with limited prior exposure to Mandarin Chinese or other Chinese dialects who are not yet prepared to advance to the next level. The course develops a solid foundation in the four core language skills (listening, speaking, reading, and writing) within an interactive and communicative learning environment. Instruction emphasizes language accuracy, including correct pronunciation, accurate tones, and mastery of essential grammatical structures. Students are expected to acquire approximately 600–700 high-frequency vocabulary items over the semester. By the end of the course, students will be able to manage a wide range of everyday linguistic and cultural situations, such as shopping, ordering meals, making comparisons, narrating simple stories, discussing weather, describing basic medical conditions, asking for directions, making invitations, arranging travel and housing, and discussing personal interests and sports.

Fall

Mutually Exclusive: CHIN 0210

2 Course Units

CHIN 5220 Reading and Writing in Chinese I (for Fluent Speakers)

The course is designed for students who can speak Chinese but cannot read and write in Chinese characters. The major purpose of this course is to help students develop the ability to use written Mandarin Chinese in linguistically and socially appropriate ways. The literacy goal is to master 350 to 1000 Chinese characters and to reach an intermediate-low level of ACTFL literacy proficiency. The key teaching approach is to holistically read a prodigious amount of materials. Students' reading abilities will be developed through reading short stories under instructions, and eventually through reading long stories and news independently.

Fall

Mutually Exclusive: CHIN 0220

1 Course Unit

CHIN 5231 Beginning Cantonese II

A continuation of Beginning Cantonese I, this class is a preliminary course for spoken Cantonese. The course provides fundamental aspects of the dialect as experienced in daily life situations and will enable students to communicate in Cantonese for daily life needs, such as making phone calls, making purchases, getting around by various means of transportation, seeing a doctor, being a guest or a host at dinner, talking about the weather, talking about sports and entertainment, etc.

Fall

Mutually Exclusive: CHIN 0231

Prerequisite: CHIN 0131

1 Course Unit

CHIN 5233 Beginning Taiwanese II

A continuation of Beginning Taiwanese I, this course will cover language training as well as cultural topics including history and political aspects of Taiwan. Conversation topics range from daily conversation to professional and formal situations.

Fall

Mutually Exclusive: CHIN 0233

Prerequisite: CHIN 0133

1 Course Unit

CHIN 5260 Beginning Business Chinese II

This course is a continuation of Beginning Business Chinese I and is the second course of a two-semester sequence. By completing both semesters, students will fulfill Wharton's undergraduate foreign language requirement. This course is designed for those wishing to improve their language skills in a business setting, as well as an understanding of Chinese social development since 1976. The emphasis is on correct pronunciation, accurate tones and mastery of basic grammatical structures. The main focus is on speaking and listening, reading, typing with minimal handwriting. Upon completion of this course, students are expected to be able to converse and interact with people in a variety of business traveling settings and company visits. Topics include meeting people, talking about family, introducing companies, making inquiries and appointments, visiting companies, introducing products, initiating dining invitations and practicing dining etiquette. Culture is a critical component of this course. Through active exploration of Chinese social and cultural norms, students will develop an understanding of Chinese cultural products, practices and perspectives, as well as Chinese interpersonal behavioral culture to communicate across ethnic, cultural, ideological and national boundaries. An additional goal of this course is for students to develop cross-cultural competence in order to function successfully in professional Chinese environments.

Spring

Mutually Exclusive: CHIN 0260

Prerequisite: CHIN 0160

1 Course Unit

CHIN 5300 Intermediate Chinese I

CHIN 0300 Intermediate Chinese I is the continuing course for students who have completed CHIN 0200 or CHIN 0210 at Penn and those who have studied Chinese in high school and have been placed into the course through the Chinese language placement exam. The linguistic emphasis of this course is to continue building the foundations of speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills. At the end of this course, students should be able to reach Intermediate-Low to Intermediate-Mid level based on the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines. Students should have confidence talking with native Chinese speakers on familiar topics such as college experience and daily life routines. Students will also be introduced to important Chinese behavior cultures and social etiquette.

Fall

Mutually Exclusive: CHIN 0300

Prerequisite: CHIN 5200 OR CHIN 0200

1 Course Unit

CHIN 5305 Spoken Chinese III

This course is designed for students who have completed one year of college level Chinese classes or equivalent. The main objective of the course is to improve students' conversational ability in Chinese in order to accomplish day-to-day tasks. These tasks include relating one's personal life and experiences, expressing preference, feeling and opinion, ordering a meal, purchasing goods, asking for directions, making travel plans, visiting a doctor, attending a social functions etc. Short Chinese movies or television shows will be integrated into the course curriculum. Chinese characters will not be taught.

Fall

Mutually Exclusive: CHIN 0305

Prerequisite: CHIN 0205

1 Course Unit

CHIN 5331 Intermediate Cantonese I

Intermediate Cantonese is a course for students who are able to communicate in the dialect in basic survival situations. Through this course, the students will acquire a better understanding of Cantonese and its related culture, and can confidently cope with a wide range of situations. Classes will be conducted through Cantonese textbooks, discussions of various topics, and composition and presentation of students' own dialogues so that in time they may express more complex ideas and feelings. Continuation to Intermediate Cantonese II is strongly encouraged.

Fall

Mutually Exclusive: CHIN 0331

Prerequisite: CHIN 0231

1 Course Unit

CHIN 5333 Intermediate Taiwanese I

Students will further develop their speaking and listening skills and will be able to communicate with ease and confidence when dealing with everyday routine tasks. Students will also gain skills to process and seek information in Taiwanese. Conversation topics include New Year, folk songs, and Tang poetry. Authentic materials are used for enhancing reading, listening, and speaking practices.

Fall

Mutually Exclusive: CHIN 0333

Prerequisite: CHIN 0233

1 Course Unit

CHIN 5400 Intermediate Chinese II

CHIN 0400 Intermediate Chinese II is the continuing course for students who have completed CHIN 0300 Intermediate Chinese I at Penn, as well as for those who have learned Chinese in high schools and been placed into the course through the Chinese placement exam. As a second-semester intermediate-level course, the linguistic emphasis of this course is on further building the foundation of speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills. At the end of this course, students should reach the Intermediate-Mid to Intermediate-High level based on the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines. Students should have confidence talking with Chinese native speakers on both familiar and profound topics such as holidays/traditions, health and lifestyle, Chinese history, and environmental protection. This course also aims to introduce students to a changing China from the rapid urbanization and globalization to the continuous development of transportation and infrastructure as well as cutting-edge business and industrial technology. Meanwhile, China is still rich in cultural heritage and has a long history. This course enables students to have a better understanding and analysis of contemporary Chinese society through learning its language and culture.

Spring

Mutually Exclusive: CHIN 0400

Prerequisite: CHIN 5300 OR CHIN 0300

1 Course Unit

CHIN 5405 Spoken Chinese IV

This course is the continuation of Spoken Chinese III. The primary goal of the course is to improve students' conversational ability in Chinese. By the end of the semester, students will reach the survival level, namely, they can accomplish basic day to day tasks. These tasks include relating one's personal life and experiences, expressing preference, feeling and opinion, ordering a meal, purchasing goods, asking directions, making travel plans, visiting a doctor, attending a social function, etc. Short Chinese movies or television shows will be integrated into the course curriculum. Chinese characters will not be taught.

Spring

Mutually Exclusive: CHIN 0405

Prerequisite: CHIN 0305

1 Course Unit

CHIN 5410 Intensive Intermediate Chinese I & II

This intensive course is a continuation of CHIN 0210 Intensive Beginning Chinese I & II and is designed for students who have completed approximately one year of college-level Chinese. It consolidates and expands students’ foundations in listening, speaking, reading, and writing while introducing more complex grammatical structures, vocabulary, and discourse patterns. Instruction emphasizes accuracy, fluency, and appropriate language use across oral and written contexts, while also deepening students’ understanding of contemporary Chinese culture, society, and everyday life. By the end of the course, students will be able to engage in longer conversations on a range of familiar topics, read and produce extended texts, and use common idiomatic expressions and rhetorical structures appropriately.

Spring

Mutually Exclusive: CHIN 0410

Prerequisite: (CHIN 5200 OR CHIN 0200) AND (CHIN 5210 OR CHIN 0210)

2 Course Units

CHIN 5420 Reading and Writing in Chinese II (for Fluent Speakers)

A continuation of Reading/Writing Chinese I, this course is designed for students who can speak Chinese and have reading ability of about 1000 Chinese characters. It is specifically designed for students at the ACTFL intermediate-low reading and writing level. The literacy goal is to master 1000 to 2000 Chinese words and reach the intermediate-mid proficiency level. Reading material covers topics that are meaningful to students not only to increase engagement and confidence in their Chinese reading skills, but also foster students' appreciation and understanding of the Chinese culture.

Spring

Mutually Exclusive: CHIN 0420

Prerequisite: CHIN 5320

1 Course Unit

CHIN 5431 Intermediate Cantonese II

A continuation of Intermediate Cantonese I. Intermediate Cantonese is a course for students who are able to communicate in the dialect in basic survival situations. Through this course, the students will acquire a better understanding of Cantonese and its related culture, and can confidently cope with a wide range of situations. Classes will be conducted through Cantonese textbooks, discussions of various topics, and composition and presentation of students' own dialogues so that in time they may express more complex ideas and feelings.

Spring

Mutually Exclusive: CHIN 0431

Prerequisite: CHIN 0331

1 Course Unit

CHIN 5433 Intermediate Taiwanese II

This is a continuation of Intermediate Taiwanese I. Students will further develop their speaking and listening skills and will be able to communicate with ease and confidence when dealing with everyday routine tasks. Students will also gain skills to process and seek information in Taiwanese. Conversation topics include the New Year, folk songs and Tang poetry. Authentic materials are used for enhancing reading, listening, and speaking practices.

Spring

Mutually Exclusive: CHIN 0433

Prerequisite: CHIN 0333

1 Course Unit

CHIN 5500 High Intermediate Chinese I

This course builds on what students have learned in beginning and intermediate Modern Chinese and further develops their language proficiency by introducing the formal register used in academic, professional, and public contexts. Students explore contemporary Chinese culture, society, and everyday life since China’s economic reforms and opening up in 1978, using comparisons with the United States to strengthen their intercultural communicative competence. Through ten thematic units—including language policy, manufacturing, economic discourse, state-owned enterprises, Sino–U.S. relations, education, censorship, Taiwan, and population aging—the course integrates language learning with meaningful content through a Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) approach. A wide range of authentic materials, such as TikTok videos and other media, are used to promote multimodal learning. Students also learn to use AI-based tools responsibly and effectively—including machine translation, optical character recognition, speech recognition and synthesis, and large language models—to support continued Chinese learning beyond Penn.

Fall

Mutually Exclusive: CHIN 0500

Prerequisite: CHIN 5400 OR CHIN 0400

1 Course Unit

CHIN 5520 Reading and Writing Chinese III (for Fluent Speakers)

An intermediate reading and writing course designed for students at the ACTFL intermediate-mid reading and writing proficiency. The goal of this course is to reach the intermediate-high level of proficiency. This course concentrates on writing of muti-paragraph essays through the use of conventional rhetorical modes and standard grammatical structures. Students will be given ample time to think and to discuss (the crucial "brainstorming" phase) before writing. The course stresses content, culture and comparison and draws its content from assigned readings and evidence-based argument from texts and other stimuli such as Internet, newspapers and films.

Mutually Exclusive: CHIN 0520

Prerequisite: CHIN 5420 OR CHIN 0420

1 Course Unit

CHIN 5600 High Intermediate Chinese II

This course is a continuation of 0500 and further develops students’ advanced Chinese language proficiency through the study of more complex grammatical structures, expanded vocabulary, and formal registers. Students deepen their understanding of contemporary Chinese society, culture, and everyday life since China’s economic reforms and opening in 1978 by engaging with economically, socially, and politically relevant topics, including obesity, the Five-Year Plans, population aging, infrastructure development and ethnic minorities, 5G technology, study-abroad policies, the Hong Kong issue, e-commerce, and the history of Sino-foreign cultural exchanges. Adopting a Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) approach, the course uses a wide range of authentic materials—such as bilingual news articles from The New York Times and other media—to promote multimodal learning. Students also learn to use AI-based tools responsibly and effectively, including machine translation, optical character recognition, speech recognition and synthesis, and large language models, to support continued Chinese learning beyond Penn.

Spring

Mutually Exclusive: CHIN 0600

Prerequisite: CHIN 5500 OR CHIN 0500

1 Course Unit

CHIN 5620 Reading and Writing Chinese IV (for Fluent Speakers)

This is an intermediate language class presuming basic fluency in speaking and listening and focusing on reading and writing abilities. By the end of the semester students are expected to have mastered the 1200 most commonly used characters and to have the ability to read basic Chinese texts. Students will be prepared for Advanced Modern Chinese, Media Chinese and Business Chinese.

Mutually Exclusive: CHIN 0620

Prerequisite: CHIN 5520 OR CHIN 0520

1 Course Unit

CHIN 5700 Advanced Chinese I

This is an advanced-level Chinese language course aiming to enhance students’ Chinese language skills and cultural literacy in order to communicate with their contemporary Chinese peers. Students learn to master more advanced-level vocabulary, structures and expressions through topics such as technology and society, consumer culture, popular culture and TV drama, economy and urbanization. With a manageable load of assignments and practices, students will gradually make the transition from the intermediate high to advanced level of Chinese. Advanced reading skills such as literal reading and inferential reading will also be introduced. By the end of the semester, students are expected to be able to narrate, describe, and comment on societal issues more confidently without overly relying on AI or machine translation tools.

Mutually Exclusive: CHIN 0700

Prerequisite: CHIN 5600 OR CHIN 0600

1 Course Unit

CHIN 5705 Advanced Spoken Chinese I

This course is designed for students who have completed at least the intermediate level Chinese language course, or have studied the language for at least three years. The objective of this course is to consolidate the knowledge and skills students have acquired from their previous Mandarin Chinese classes and to enhance their oral expressive skills. By the end of the semester, students are expected to be able to carry on a conversation with a native Mandarin speaker on various common topics, including the current issues in China on education, society, politics, culture and history. Students will also learn how to gather information necessary for conducting oral presentations and speeches.

Fall

Mutually Exclusive: CHIN 0705

Prerequisite: CHIN 0600

1 Course Unit

CHIN 5800 Advanced Chinese II

This is an advanced-level Chinese language course aiming to enhance students’ Chinese language skills and cultural literacy in order to communicate with their contemporary Chinese peers. Students learn to master more advanced-level vocabulary, structures and expressions through topics such as social changes in education and marriage, traditional food culture, Confucius and his philosophy, and geopolitics. With a manageable workload, students will consolidate their interpretive and presentation skills in Chinese at the advanced level. By the end of the semester, students are expected to be able to read and summarize materials written or produced mainly for native speakers in order to conduct college level research and deliver presentations in the target language for academic or professional purposes.

Mutually Exclusive: CHIN 0800

Prerequisite: CHIN 5700 OR CHIN 0700

1 Course Unit

CHIN 5805 Advanced Spoken Chinese II

A continuation of Advanced Spoken Chinese I, this class follows the same format, with more discussions on current issues in both China and the US. Examples of topics range from race, religion and gender issues to the internet, cinema and pop cultures. The objective of this course is to consolidate the knowledge and skills students have acquired from their previous Mandarin Chinese classes and to enhance their oral expressive skills. By the end of the semester, students are expected to be able to carry on a conversation with a native Mandarin speaker on various common topics, and to gather information necessary for conducting oral presentations and speeches.

Spring

Mutually Exclusive: CHIN 0805

Prerequisite: CHIN 0705

1 Course Unit

CHIN 5840 Chinese Short Stories

This course is designed for students with advanced-level Chinese proficiency who wish to further refine pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary usage. Emphasizing oral discussion, composition, and linguistic accuracy, the course engages students in close reading of carefully selected short stories by contemporary Chinese writers. Through these texts, students will explore the lives, attitudes, and perspectives of ordinary people in modern China. Class discussions and analytical activities will deepen understanding of social change and human relationships in contemporary Chinese society. By engaging critically with the readings, students will enhance cultural literacy while improving reading, speaking, listening, and writing skills.

Fall or Spring

Mutually Exclusive: CHIN 0840

Prerequisite: CHIN 5800 OR CHIN 0800

1 Course Unit

CHIN 5848 Chinese for Law and International Relations

This advanced-level course is designed for students interested in law, international relations, political science, and related social science fields who wish to develop professional Chinese language skills for global and policy-oriented contexts. The course focuses on building students’ ability to understand, discuss, and analyze legal, political, and international affairs topics in Chinese, while strengthening advanced listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Through readings, media materials, case discussions, and guided analysis, students will engage with topics such as legal institutions, governance, diplomacy, international organizations, global disputes, and cross-border cooperation involving China and the Chinese-speaking world. Emphasis is placed on key terminology, discourse conventions, and communicative strategies used in professional and policy settings. By the end of the course, students will be able to communicate more confidently and effectively about legal and international issues in Chinese, demonstrating both linguistic precision and cross-cultural awareness.

Spring

Mutually Exclusive: CHIN 0848

1 Course Unit

CHIN 5860 Business Chinese I

This course is designed to strengthen students’ Chinese language proficiency in business contexts while deepening their understanding of the contemporary business environment and culture in China. Through the study of authentic business cases, students examine how multinational corporations have successfully operated in the Chinese market, as well as how Chinese companies develop strategies for global expansion. The course integrates language practice with case analysis and is conducted through a variety of formats, including targeted linguistic exercises, in-depth discussion of business cases, student presentations, and AI-assisted business case writing. Instruction is conducted primarily in Chinese, and students are expected to use Chinese exclusively during class meetings. By the end of the semester, students will: (a) acquire professional vocabulary and improved fluency to communicate more confidently and effectively in international business settings; (b) develop a deeper awareness of China’s contemporary consumer market and business landscape; and (c) gain the ability to research, analyze, and interpret business cases and related information in Chinese.

Fall

Mutually Exclusive: CHIN 0860

Prerequisite: (CHIN 5620 OR CHIN 0620) AND (CHIN 5800 OR CHIN 0800)

1 Course Unit

CHIN 5865 Business Chinese II

A continuation of Business Chinese I, this course further develops students’ Chinese language proficiency through business-oriented, content-based instruction. The course aims to strengthen students’ ability to communicate effectively in professional settings while deepening their understanding of the business environment and commercial culture in contemporary China. Course topics include the development of international companies in the Chinese market and Chinese companies’ strategies for global expansion. Throughout the semester, students engage in structured discussions of real business cases, apply newly acquired business vocabulary to research and presentations, analyze business-related video materials, and speak analytically about U.S.–China business issues. Emphasis is placed on developing higher-level language and analytical skills, including comparison, synthesis, and evaluation, to better understand the dynamics of U.S.–China business relations. By examining diverse business cases, students gain insight into business decision-making processes and progressively cultivate the ability to think critically from multiple perspectives in Chinese.

Spring

Mutually Exclusive: CHIN 0865

Prerequisite: (CHIN 5800 OR CHIN 0800) AND (CHIN 5860 OR CHIN 0860) AND (CHIN 5870 OR CHIN 0870)

1 Course Unit

CHIN 5870 Media Chinese I

This advanced course, offered in conjunction with Media Chinese II, uses up‑to‑date authentic news materials—including news articles, reports, and commentary—to strengthen students’ ability to read, interpret, and discuss major contemporary issues in the Chinese‑speaking world. Covering topics such as the economy, international relations, sports, and technology, this course provides targeted vocabulary support, cultural and socio‑political background information, and structured activities and tasks to help students develop greater accuracy, fluency, and confidence in engaging with news discourse. Students will also develop skills in locating, verifying, and critically evaluating Chinese‑language news sources for everyday, academic, and professional research. Through in‑depth discussion of diverse viewpoints, the course enhances students’ cross‑cultural communication competence and fosters a more nuanced understanding of current events. Designed for advanced and heritage learners, this course aims to strengthen practical language proficiency, build media literacy, and cultivate critical thinking about the news.

Fall

Mutually Exclusive: CHIN 0870

Prerequisite: (CHIN 5620 OR CHIN 0620) AND (CHIN 5700 OR CHIN 0700) AND (CHIN 5840 OR CHIN 0840)

1 Course Unit

CHIN 5875 Media Chinese II

This advanced course builds on Media Chinese I and expands beyond traditional official media to a wider range of social‑media‑driven sources, including major Chinese platforms such as TikTok and Little Red Book, as well as online videos, films, advertisements, and other digital content, giving students a more comprehensive understanding of Chinese mass media and contemporary society. Through targeted vocabulary support, socio‑cultural background information, and structured activities and discussions, the course helps students communicate with greater accuracy, fluency, and confidence in digital and visual media contexts. Students will also learn to analyze multimodal media materials. By engaging with the diverse voices and cultural perspectives present across media practices, the course fosters cross‑cultural communication competence and encourages students to critically examine how different media forms construct meaning and representation. Designed for advanced and heritage learners, it further develops students’ Chinese media literacy, cross‑cultural communication skills, and critical cultural thinking.

Mutually Exclusive: CHIN 0875

Prerequisite: (CHIN 5620 OR CHIN 0620) AND (CHIN 5700 OR CHIN 0700) AND (CHIN 5840 OR CHIN 0840)

1 Course Unit

CHIN 5878 Advanced Medical Chinese

“Advanced Medical Chinese” is a specialized language course tailored for medical, nursing, and other healthcare-related professionals. It offers Mandarin language instruction to individuals who anticipate interactions with Chinese-speaking patients, either during visits to China or while serving patients with limited English proficiency. This course specifically targets students with a minimum of three years of Chinese language study in a standard college program or an equivalent language competency level. Its primary focus is on facilitating effective physician and nurse communication with patients. The course’s ultimate aim extends beyond language proficiency to positively impact patient care within the Chinese community by mitigating language and cultural barriers. By honing language skills in reading, writing, listening, and speaking within clinical healthcare contexts, participants will be better equipped to engage in meaningful interactions. The curriculum covers a wide spectrum of subjects, spanning from foundational rapport-building and medical terminology to exploring Chinese cultural attitudes toward health-related matters.

Fall or Spring

Mutually Exclusive: CHIN 0878

1 Course Unit

CHIN 6040 Readings in Modern Chinese: Literature I

This course develops students’ advanced Mandarin Chinese proficiency through the critical reading, discussion, and writing of literary texts. Emphasis is placed on close reading and analytical interpretation of unabridged works by major Chinese writers representing a range of genres and styles in modern Chinese literary history. Through these texts, students explore significant themes in Chinese culture and history while refining their ability to express complex ideas in formal written and spoken Chinese. Students strengthen discourse competence by practicing narration, summarization, argumentation, explanation, and hypothesis-building, and by supporting ideas with textual evidence. Class instruction and discussion are conducted entirely in Chinese and are complemented by selected Chinese films related to the literary themes under study. By the end of the course, students will have enhanced their analytical and critical thinking skills, gained greater linguistic precision and fluency, and developed a deeper understanding of Chinese society and culture, enabling them to engage thoughtfully and in detail with a wide range of literary and cultural topics in Chinese.

Fall

Mutually Exclusive: CHIN 1040

Prerequisite: (CHIN 5840 OR CHIN 0840) AND (CHIN 5865 OR CHIN 0865) AND (CHIN 5870 OR CHIN 0870)

1 Course Unit

CHIN 6045 Readings Modern Chinese: Literature II

This course is designed to further develop students’ Mandarin Chinese proficiency in all aspects and to prepare them for more advanced Chinese studies at the graduate level. The course follows the same structure as Readings in Modern Chinese Literature I, but features different reading materials and thematic focuses. Students will engage with significant topics in Chinese culture and history through a selection of texts written in diverse genres and styles by major figures in modern Chinese literary history. Emphasis is placed on literary close reading and examining individual authors, various themes, genres, and time periods, enabling students to develop strong Chinese language proficiency and a deeper understanding of modern and contemporary China. A key component of the course is the development of critical essay-writing skills in Chinese. In addition, students will view and discuss selected Chinese films related to the course readings. The course is conducted entirely in Chinese.

Spring

Mutually Exclusive: CHIN 1045

Prerequisite: (CHIN 5840 OR CHIN 0840) AND (CHIN 5865 OR CHIN 0865) AND (CHIN 5870 OR CHIN 0870)

1 Course Unit

CHIN 6048 Readings in Modern Chinese: Documents

This is an advanced reading course designed for students with a Chinese proficiency at the Advanced-Mid and above and interested to read materials written in modern expository Chinese (academic, journalistic and polemical) that focus on cultural, political, economic, and social issues of contemporary China. Focus will be given to developing students’ ability to read, summarize, analyze, and discuss documents and journal articles in Chinese, in hope to facilitate students to use and cite Chinese references in their academic or professional research. Students are also expected to gain a deeper understanding of Chinese society and culture through close reading and discussion of the selected texts.

Not Offered Every Year

Mutually Exclusive: CHIN 1048

Prerequisite: (CHIN 5860 OR CHIN 0860) AND (CHIN 5870 OR CHIN 0870) AND (CHIN 6040 OR CHIN 1040)

1 Course Unit

CHIN 6060 Advanced Business Chinese I

This content-based course provides students with the conceptual framework to understand issues China has been facing since its economic reform in 1978. Topics include WTO principles, the change of China's state-owned enterprises, China's economy in Mao's period, and the pros and cons of globalization. Students will be trained in reading ﬁnancial articles, discussing international trades, conducting online research and giving business presentations. After the course, students will become more sophisticated in their understanding of China's economic development and in using Chinese business terminology in professional settings. The course assumes basic background in business and advanced level proﬁciency in Chinese language.

Fall

Mutually Exclusive: CHIN 1060

Prerequisite: CHIN 5865 OR CHIN 0865

1 Course Unit

CHIN 6065 Advanced Business Chinese II

This course is a continuation of Advanced Business Chinese I and follows the same format. Topics include Eastern and Western management styles, the global ﬁnancial market, China's ﬁnancial market reforms, and mergers and acquisitions in China. At the end of the semester, students will submit a business proposal for the ﬁnal project.

Spring

Mutually Exclusive: CHIN 1065

Prerequisite: CHIN 6060 OR CHIN 1060

1 Course Unit

CHIN 6140 Advanced Readings in Chinese Culture

The objective of this advanced level content-based course is to extend and reﬁne students' language and analytical skills while enhancing an appreciation of Chinese culture. The course is for students with native or near-native competency in Mandarin. Each class will include reading, reflection and interpretation, and the exchange of ideas. All reading materials are in Chinese with no glossary and all are written by scholars whose expertise are either in the contemporary and traditional culture of China, or in comparative study of Chinese and Western thoughts. Topics include: 1) the shared beliefs and behaviors of Chinese people; 2) traditional values and new values in the technological and business society; 3) how affection and love are manifested in Chinese culture; 4) what influenced the surge of popularity of Chinese wuxia ﬁction; (5) what it means to be descendants of Chinese (huayi) living outside China. The class is conducted exclusively in Mandarin Chinese.

Spring

Mutually Exclusive: CHIN 1140

Prerequisite: (CHIN 6040 OR CHIN 1040) AND (CHIN 6060 OR CHIN 1060)

1 Course Unit

CHIN 6147 Advanced Readings in Modern Chinese Literature

This course surveys major literary movements in China since the end of the Cultural Revolution (1978–present). The 1980s and 1990s—often referred to as the “New Era”—marked a period of unprecedented intellectual openness and creative vitality. The course provides an overview of New Era literature through close readings of influential works published in the final two decades of the twentieth century. Selected films adapted from literary works of this period are also included. Designed for students with native or near-native proficiency in Chinese reading, the course requires extensive reading and places strong emphasis on the development of critical essay-writing skills in Chinese. The course is conducted entirely in Chinese.

Spring

Mutually Exclusive: CHIN 1147

Prerequisite: (CHIN 6040 OR CHIN 1040) AND (CHIN 6045 OR CHIN 1045) AND (CHIN 6048 OR CHIN 1048) AND (CHIN 6060 OR CHIN 1060) AND (CHIN 6065 OR CHIN 1065)

1 Course Unit

CHIN 6148 Chinese for Specific Purposes: Legal Chinese

Legal Chinese (CHIN 1148/6148) is a superior-level content-based course providing students with a brief overview of Chinese state laws, legal business cases and the study of legal Chinese terminologies. Through text reading and legal business case discussion, the class engages Penn professional school students and undergraduate social science majors in legal case study, encouraging them to reflect on what they read, as well as giving them the opportunity to experience a course that brings together Chinese legal content and Chinese professional literacy training. The goal of the course is to help students better understand the legal language and content in order to prepare them for specific careers of interest.

Spring

Mutually Exclusive: CHIN 1148

1 Course Unit

CHIN 8621 Advanced Classical Chinese I

Close reading and interpretation of texts in various styles of classical Chinese drawn from the Han, Wei, Tang, and Song periods. Focus on strengthening students' reading ability in classical Chinese. Attention to questions of style, rhetoric, and syntax.

Not Offered Every Year

Also Offered As: EALC 8621

Mutually Exclusive: EALC 3623

1 Course Unit

CHIN 8622 Advanced Classical Chinese II

Close reading and interpretation of texts in various styles of classical Chinese drawn from the Han, Wei, Tang, and Song periods. Focus on strengthening students' reading ability in classical Chinese. Attention to questions of style, rhetoric, and syntax. It is preferred, but not required, that students take Advanced Classical Chinese I first.

Not Offered Every Year

Also Offered As: EALC 8622

Mutually Exclusive: EALC 3624

Prerequisite: EALC 8621

1 Course Unit

Chinese (CHIN)

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