Chinese Studies at MIT offers extensive training in Mandarin Chinese, with two distinct tracks: Regular, and Streamlined (for students with Chinese-language background). Upon completion of three years of training, students will have a sound working knowledge of Mandarin, equipping them to work or study in Chinese societies.
Our Chinese curriculum uses innovative pedagogical methods and values integrated learning of language and culture at all levels. Students engage in learning activities that enable them to become proficient in aural comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing. Educational technologies such as multimedia projects developed by our own instructors are used in many Chinese classes to enhance language learning and to help students explore Chinese cultures and societies.
In addition to the study of language, Chinese Studies at MIT offers a wide range of courses on Chinese culture, history, society and media taught in English. Our classes cover everything from the classics of traditional Chinese literature to advertising and internet culture in contemporary China. We also offer classes dealing with global Chinese immigration, and Chinese Americans.
With the growing importance of Greater China on the global stage, the study of Chinese language and culture has taken on a new urgency in the United States. Like many other academic institutions, MIT is committed to developing and expanding our Chinese program in the future.
Chinese
The subjects below are taught in Chinese and include offerings in language, literature, and cultural studies.<
The indication of prerequisites for specific Chinese offerings does not apply to students who have already completed equivalent work. For further placement advice, consult one of the field advisors in Chinese.
Undergraduate Language Subjects
21G.101 Chinese I (Regular)
(
, 
) 
(Subject meets with 21G.151)
Prereq: None
Units: 4-0-8
http://mitgsl.mit.edu/subjects/21G.101
Lecture: MTRF10 (14N-325) or MTRF1 (1-379) or MTRF3 (16-654) or MTRF4 (16-628)
Introduction to modern standard Chinese (Mandarin) with emphasis on developing conversational skills by using fundamental grammatical patterns and vocabulary in functional and culturally suitable contexts. Basic reading and writing are also taught. For graduate credit, see 21G.151. Placement interview with instructors required of students who have had prior exposure to Chinese before or on Reg Day. Limited to 16 per section. No listeners.
H. Liao
Textbooks (Fall 2018)
21G.102 Chinese II (Regular)
(
)
(Subject meets with 21G.152)
Prereq: 21G.101 or permission of instructor
Units: 4-0-8
Credit cannot also be received for 21G.142
Continuation of 21G.101. For full description, see 21G.101. For graduate credit see 21G.152. Placement interview on or before Reg. Day required of students who have had prior exposure of Chinese elsewhere. Limited to 16 per section. No listeners.
Staff
21G.103 Chinese III (Regular)
()
Prereq: 21G.102 or permission of instructor
Units: 4-0-8
http://mitgsl.mit.edu/subjects/21G.103
Lecture: MTRF9 (16-628) or MTRF12 (1-277) or MTRF1 (14N-325)
Continuing instruction in spoken and written Chinese, with particular emphasis on consolidating basic conversational skills and improving reading confidence and depth. Lab work required. Placement interview with instructors before or on Reg. Day required of students who have had prior exposure to Chinese elsewhere. Limited to 16 per section. No listeners.
H. Liao
Textbooks (Fall 2018)
21G.104 Chinese IV (Regular)
()
Prereq: 21G.103 or permission of instructor
Units: 4-0-8
Credit cannot also be received for 21G.143
Continuation of 21G.103. For full description, see 21G.103. Placement interview on or before Reg. Day required of students who have had prior exposure to Chinese elsewhere. Limited to 16 per section. No listeners.
Staff
21G.105 Chinese V (Regular): Discovering Chinese Cultures and Societies
()
Prereq: 21G.104 or permission of instructor
Units: 3-0-9
http://mitgsl.mit.edu/subjects/21G.105
Lecture: MWF10 (16-628)
Students develop more sophisticated conversational and reading skills by combining traditional textbook material with their own explorations of Chinese speaking societies, using the human, literary, and electronic resources available at MIT and in the Boston area. Placement interview on or before Reg. Day required of students who have had prior exposure to Chinese elsewhere. Limited to 16 per section. No listeners.
T. Chen
No required or recommended textbooks
21G.106 Chinese VI (Regular): Discovering Chinese Cultures and Societies
()
Prereq: 21G.105 or permission of instructor
Units: 3-0-9
Continuation of 21G.105. For full description see 21G.105. Placement interview on or before Reg. Day required of students who have had prior exposure to Chinese elsewhere. Limited to 16 per section. No listeners.
Staff
Undergraduate Language Subjects - Streamlined
21G.107 Chinese I (Streamlined)
()
(Subject meets with 21G.157)
Prereq: Permission of instructor
Units: 3-0-9
http://mitgsl.mit.edu/subjects/21G.107
Lecture: MWF10 (1-375) or MWF12 (14N-325)
The first term streamlined sequence. Designed for students who have conversational skills (typically gained from growing up in a Chinese speaking environment) without a corresponding level of literacy. For graduate credit see 21G.157. Placement interview on or before Reg. Day required of students who have had prior exposure to Chinese elsewhere. Limited to 16 per section. No listeners.
M. Liang
Textbooks (Fall 2018)
21G.108 Chinese II (Streamlined)
()
(Subject meets with 21G.158)
Prereq: 21G.107 or permission of instructor
Units: 3-0-9
The second term streamlined sequence; continuation of 21G.107. The streamlined sequence is designed for students who have conversational skills (typically gained from growing up in a Chinese speaking environment) without a corresponding level of literacy. For graduate credit see 21G.158. Placement interview on or before Reg. Day required of students who have had prior exposure to Chinese elsewhere. Limited to 16 per section. No listeners.
Staff
21G.109 Chinese III (Streamlined)
()
Prereq: 21G.108 or permission of instructor
Units: 3-0-9
http://mitgsl.mit.edu/subjects/21G.109
Lecture: MWF12 (4-249) or MWF1 (4-249)
Intermediate level subject in streamlined sequence. Designed for students who have conversational skills (typically gained from growing up in a Chinese speaking environment) without a corresponding level of literacy. Consolidates conversation skills, improves reading confidence and broadens composition style. Placement interview on or before Reg. Day required of students who have had prior exposure to Chinese elsewhere. Limited to 16 per section. No listeners.
K. Zhou
Textbooks (Fall 2018)
21G.110 Chinese IV (Streamlined)
()
Prereq: 21G.109 or permission of instructor
Units: 3-0-9
Intermediate level subject in streamlined sequence; continuation of 21G.109. Designed for students who have conversational skills (typically gained from growing up in a Chinese speaking environment) without a corresponding level of literacy. Consolidates conversation skills, improves reading confidence and broadens composition style. Placement interview on or before Reg. Day required of students who have had prior exposure to Chinese elsewhere. Limited to 16 per section. No listeners.
P. Gao
21G.113 Chinese V (Streamlined)
()
Prereq: 21G.110 or permission of instructor
Units: 3-0-9
http://mitgsl.mit.edu/subjects/21G.113
Lecture: MWF12 (1-379)
Advanced level subject in streamlined sequence. Designed for students who have conversational skills (typically gained from growing up in a Chinese speaking environment) without a corresponding level of literacy. Students conduct their own explorations of modern China using online and print materials, as well as interviews with Chinese in the Boston area. Placement interview on or before Reg. Day required of students who have had prior exposure to Chinese elsewhere. Limited to 16 per section. No listeners.
P. Gao
No required or recommended textbooks
21G.120 Business Chinese
()
Prereq: 21G.106, 21G.113, or permission of instructor
Units: 3-0-9
Aimed at advanced-level students to enhance language skills and cultural knowledge specific to conducting business in Chinese societies. Topics include the specialization of materials used in commercial, economic, and business contexts; Greater China's economic development, business culture, and etiquette; and case studies from successful international enterprises in China. Students develop project reports based on their own interests. Taught in Chinese. Limited to 16.
Gao, Panpan
Graduate Language Subjects
21G.151 Chinese I (Regular)
(, )
(Subject meets with 21G.101)
Prereq: None
Units: 4-0-5
Lecture: MTRF10 (14N-325) or MTRF1 (1-379) or MTRF3 (16-654) or MTRF4 (16-628)
Introduction to modern standard Chinese (Mandarin). For a full description, see 21G.101. For undergraduate credit see 21G.101. Limited to 16 per section.
Staff
Textbooks (Fall 2018)
21G.152 Chinese II (Regular)
()
(Subject meets with 21G.102)
Prereq: 21G.151 or permission of instructor
Units: 4-0-5
Credit cannot also be received for 21G.142
Continuation of 21G.151. For a description, see 21G.102. For undergraduate credit see 21G.102.
Staff
21G.157 Chinese I (Streamlined)
()
(Subject meets with 21G.107)
Prereq: Permission of instructor
Units: 3-0-6
Lecture: MWF10 (1-375) or MWF12 (14N-325)
Introduction to modern standard Chinese (Mandarin) for students with some speaking ability but little reading ability. For full description, see 21G.107. For undergraduate credit see 21G.107. Limited to 16 per section.
Staff
Textbooks (Fall 2018)
21G.158 Chinese II (Streamlined)
()
(Subject meets with 21G.108)
Prereq: 21G.157 or permission of instructor
Units: 3-0-6
Continuation of 21G.157. For a description see 21G.157. For undergraduate credit see 21G.108.
Staff
Chinese Language Option Subjects
21G.138 Romantic Love in Chinese Narrative and Cinematic Traditions
() 
(Subject meets with 21G.909)
Prereq: 21G.105, 21G.110, or permission of instructor
Units: 3-0-10
Investigates the theme and representation of love and desire in Chinese literature and cinema, from examination of the classic cult of qing - a philosophical concept that captivated Chinese literati for centuries. Addresses topics such as the changing definition of love and sexuality since the 16th century. Explores the premodern period, the Republican period, Mao's era, and Reform China via short stories and novellas (Ding Ling, Eileen Chang, Wang Anyi, Zhang Jie, Zhang Mei), and feature films made in Hong Kong, mainland China, and Taiwan. A comparative perspective of Confucius versus Freud runs through the entire class. Taught in English with a project that requires research in Chinese. Preference to Chinese minors.
J. Wang
21G.190 Advertising and Media: Comparative Perspectives
()
(Subject meets with 21G.036[J], CMS.356[J], CMS.888)
Prereq: 21G.105, 21G.110, or permission of instructor
Units: 3-0-10
Compares modern and contemporary advertising culture in China, the US, and other emerging markets. First half focuses on branding in the old media environment; second half introduces the changing practice of advertising in the new media environment. Topics include branding and positioning, media planning, social media campaigns, cause marketing 2.0, social TV, and mobility marketing. Required lab work includes interactive sessions in branding a team product for the US (or a European country) and China markets. Taught in English with a project that requires research in Chinese. Preference to Chinese minors.
J. Wang
21G.192 Modern Chinese Fiction and Cinema
()
(Subject meets with 21G.046)
Prereq: 21G.105, 21G.110, or permission of instructor
Units: 3-0-10
Lecture: W EVE (7-10 PM) (14N-313)
Covers major works of Chinese fiction and film, from mainland China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. Focusing on the modern period, examines how Chinese intellectuals, writers, and filmmakers have used artistic works to critically explore major issues in modern Chinese culture and society. Literature read in translation. Taught in English with a project that requires research in Chinese. Enrollment limited; preference to Chinese minors.
J. Wang
Textbooks (Fall 2018)
21G.193 Introduction to East Asian Cultures: From Zen to K-Pop
()
(Subject meets with 21G.030[J], WGS.236[J])
Prereq: 21G.104, 21G.110, or permission of instructor
Units: 3-0-10
Lecture: TR1-2.30 (14E-310)
Examines traditional forms of East Asian culture (including literature, art, performance, food, and religion) as well as contemporary forms of popular culture (film, pop music, karaoke, and manga). Covers China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, with an emphasis on China. Considers women's culture, as well as the influence and presence of Asian cultural expressions in the US. Uses resources in the Boston area, including the MFA, the Children's Museum, and the Sackler collection at Harvard. Taught in English with a project that requires research in Chinese. Preference to Chinese minors.
E. Teng
No textbook information available
21G.194 China in the News: The Untold Stories
()
Not offered regularly; consult department
(Subject meets with 21G.038)
Prereq: 21G.105, 21G.110, or permission of instructor
Units: 3-0-10
Examines issues and debates crucial to understanding contemporary Chinese society, culture, and politics. Discusses how cultural politics frames the way in which China is viewed by mass media around the world and by China scholars in the West. Topics include the Beijing Olympic Games; Mao in post-Mao China; the new patriotism; leisure and consumer culture; the rise of the internet and web culture in urban China; media censorship, remix, and creative online culture. Analyzes the central debate over progress and the role played by the state, the market, and citizen activists in engineering social change. Uses documentaries and feature films to illustrate the cultural, social and political changes that have taken place in China since the 1980s. Includes two short writing assignments and a final paper. Taught in English with a project that requires research in Chinese. Preference to Chinese minors.
J. Wang
21G.195 Classics of Chinese Literature in Translation
()
(Subject meets with 21G.044[J], WGS.235[J])
Prereq: 21G.104, 21G.110, or permission of instructor
Units: 3-0-10
Introduction to some of the major genres of traditional Chinese poetry, fiction, and drama. Intended to give students a basic understanding of the central features of traditional Chinese literary genres, as well as to introduce students to the classic works of the Chinese literary tradition. Works read include Journey to the West, Outlaws of the Margin, Dream of the Red Chamber, and the poetry of the major Tang dynasty poets. Literature read in translation. Taught in English with a project that requires research in Chinese. Preference to Chinese minors.
E. Teng
21G.196 The Global Chinese: Chinese Migration, 1567-Present
()
Not offered regularly; consult department
(Subject meets with 21G.075[J], 21H.253[J])
Prereq: 21G.104, 21G.110, or permission of instructor
Units: 3-0-10
Examines Chinese migration in historical and comparative perspective, beginning in 1567 with the lifting of the imperial ban on private maritime trade. Covers migration to diverse venues across the globe, including tropical colonies, settler societies, Chinese frontiers, and postcolonial metropoles. Topics include the varied roles of Chinese migrants in these diverse venues, the coolie trade and anti-Chinese movements, overseas students, transnational networks, cultural adaptation, and the creolization of Chinese food in migrant communities. Critically examines the degree to which this transnational migration has produced a "Global Chinese" identity. Taught in English with a project that requires research in Chinese. Preference to students in the Chinese minor.
Staff
21G.199 Chinese Youths and Web Culture
()
Not offered regularly; consult department
Prereq: 21G.113 and permission of instructor
Units: 3-0-9
Introduces the cultural trends and media habits of Chinese Generation X and the post-1990s generation, and its context of the rise of Web culture. Topics include the influence of the global Web culture on China; the cross-fertilization of youth volunteer culture and Web 2.0; popular sites where Chinese college students and other youths congregate, including BBS forums and social networking platforms; and the debates in online communities that made an impact on Chinese politics and society. Students examine literature on the evolution of Chinese Web culture and conduct exercises using Web 2.0 tools. Taught in Chinese.
J. Wang
For Chinese Literature and Culture subjects offered in English, see 21G.030, 21G.036, 21G.038, 21G.043, 21G.044, 21G.046, and 21G.075.
