MIT Global Languages

Chinese Studies

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Overview

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.

All 21G subjects in IAP and Spring 2021 will be offered remotely, with synchronous class meetings in Zoom.

IAP 2021
21G.101 Chinese I (Regular)

Spring 2021
Tier I
21G.102   Chinese II (Regular)
21G.104   Chinese IV (Regular)
21G.108   Chinese II (Streamlined)*
21G.110   Chinese IV (Streamlined)
Tier II
21G.106   Chinese VI (Regular): Discoveirng Chinese Cultures and Societies
21G.120   Business Chinese
Tier III
21G.S04            Special Subject: Three Kingdoms: From History to Fiction to Video Games
Three Kingdoms: A Historical Novel tells the story of the dissolution of the Han Dynasty (206 B.C.-A.D. 220) and its division into three warring kingdoms. A story of power, diplomacy, war, and strategy; of human character, virtues and evils, heroism and human failings. Three competing models of political authority are presented. Which will win?
21G.036/190   Advertising and Media: Comparative Perspectives**
21G.038/194   China in the News: The Untold Stories**
21H.152            Modern China: 1644 to the Present

Looking ahead

Fall 2021

Tier I
21G.101   Chinese I (Regular)
21G.103   Chinese III (Regular)
21G.107   Chinese I (Streamlined)*
21G.109   Chinese III (Streamlined)
Tier II
21G.105 Chinese V (Regular): Discovering Chinese Cultures and Societies
21G.113   Chinese V (Streamlined)
Tier III
21G.038/194    China in the News: The Untold Stories**
21G.046/192   Modern Chinese Fiction and Cinema**

*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.
**Taught in English with a project that requires research in Chinese under 21G.192 and 21G.194. Only students minoring in Chinese should register under these numbers.

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.

A note regarding the enrollment policy of the Chinese Languages section: Enrollment limited to 16 for pedagogical reasons for Tier I and Tier II subjects (Chinese I through Chinese VI). Preference will be given to pre-registered students, including pre-registered undergraduates who were cut from the same class the previous semester due to the enrollment cap. Please note that you have to attend the first day of class to maintain your preference level. In case of over-enrollment, preference will be given in the following order: declared minors, declared concentrators, first-years, sophomores, juniors, seniors and graduate students.

Requirements

Minor
Advisor: JIng Wang

The program consists of 6 subjects arranged in 3 tiers starting at Chinese III. Five of these six subjects overlap with the 8-subject HASS GIR. A student can concentrate and minor in the same field.

Students choose from the following list of subjects:

Tier I
21G.103 Chinese III (Regular)
21G.109 Chinese III (Streamlined)
21G.104 Chinese IV (Regular)
21G.110 Chinese IV (Streamlined)

Tier II
21G.105 Chinese V (Regular)
21G.113 Chinese V (Streamlined)
21G.106 Chinese VI (Regular)
21G.107 Chinese VI (Streamlined)
21G.120 Business Chinese

Tier III
Taught in English
21G.043 Introduction to Asian American Studies: Historical and Contemporary Issues
21G.048 Images of Asian Women: Dragon Ladies and Lotus Blossoms
21G.075 The Global Chinese: Chinese Migration, 1567-Present
21H.151 Traditional China: Earliest Times to 1644
21H.152 Modern China: 1644 to the Present

Taught in English with 13-unit Chinese Language Option
21G.190 Advertising and Media: Comparative Perspectives
21G.192 Modern Chinese Fiction and Cinema
21G.193 Introduction to East Asian Cultures: From Zen to K-Pop
21G.194 China in the News: The Untold Stories
21G.195 Classics of Chinese Literature in Translation
21G.196 The Global Chinese: Chinese Migration, 1567-Present

A typical course program for a minor in Chinese includes four to five language subjects (Chinese III through Chinese VI and/or Business Chinese), plus one to two of the Tier III subjects taught in English that pertain to Chinese cultural studies. At least one of the two Tier III subjects should be taken under the 13-unit Chinese Language Option subject number. These subject numbers are reserved for minors in Chinese, and students will complete an additional assignment in the target language to earn the extra unit of credit.

Minor in Chinese: MIT Bulletin
Sample Roadmap Chinese Minor and Nuclear Science and Engineering Major
SHASS Minor Guidelines and Procedures

Concentration
Advisor: Haohsiang Liao
There are several concentration options, depending on whether the focus is language or literature and culture.

If a student’s incoming level is Chinese I:
• 4 subjects, Chinese I through Chinese IV, are required to complete the concentration

If a student’s incoming level is Chinese II or above:
• 3 subjects are required to complete the concentration, i.e., Chinese II, III, IV; Chinese III, IV, V; or Chinese IV, V, VI

If a student’s incoming level is Chinese IV or above:
• 3 subjects are required to complete the concentration, as noted above. However, one subject taught in English that pertains to Chinese cultural studies is allowed from the following list:

21G.030 Introduction to East Asian Cultures: From Zen to K-Pop
21G.036 Advertising and Media: Comparative Perspectives
21G.038 China in the News: The Untold Stories
21G.043 Introduction to Asian American Studies: Historical and Contemporary Issues
21G.044 Classics of Chinese Literature in Translation
21G.045 Global Chinese Food
21G.046 Modern Chinese Fiction and Cinema
21G.047 Cultures of East Asia
21G.048 Images of Asian Women: Dragon Ladies and Lotus Blossoms
21G.075 The Global Chinese: Chinese Migration, 1567-Present
21G.095 Cultures of Music in East Asia: Japan, Korea, China

Transfer Credit
Transfer Credit Examiner: Haohsiang Liao

For the online HASS Concentration Form, click through to studentformsandpetitions.mit.edu
Current Brochure

OTHER OPTIONS

Asian and Asian Diaspora Studies

Concentration
Minor
Major Departure

Study Abroad

Study Abroad

Study abroad in any term: fall, spring, IAP, summer or full year, and gain transfer credit towards degree requirements. Consult with the Transfer Credit Examiner in Chinese prior to enrolling.

Global Languages, IAP-Shenzhen

Launching in IAP of AY2020, Global Languages will offer Chinese language in China during the IAP term, combining intensive on-site language study with cultural events and immersive experiences. See program information here, and visit studyabroad.mit.edu for information on applications and scholarships. Prerequisites: 21G.102 Chinese II Regular, or 21G.107 Chinese I Streamlined.

MIT-China

Part of MIT International Science and Technology Initiatives (MISTI)

MIT Study Abroad Programs: General information about study abroad. All forms related to study abroad and scholarship information available.

OUTSIDE MIT

Associated Colleges in China (Beijing, China)
CIEE Study Abroad (Beijing, Nanjing, Shanghai, Taipei)
Columbia in Beijing (Beijing and Shanghai, China)
Duke in China (Beijing, China)
Harvard Beijing Academy (Beijing, China)
International Chinese Language Program at National Taiwan University (Taipei, Taiwan)
Mandarin Training Center at National Taiwan Normal University (Taipei, Taiwan)
Princeton in Beijing (Beijing, China)
CET Academic Programs (Beijing, Harbin, Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Kunming)

One- or Two-semester Study Abroad Programs

Associated Colleges in China (Beijing, China)
CET Academic Programs (Beijing, Harbin, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Kunming, China)
Chinese Language Education and Research Center (Peking University and Tsinghua University, China)
CIEE Study Abroad (Beijing, Nanjing, Shanghai, China)
Duke in China (Beijing, China)
International Chinese Language Program at National Taiwan University (Taipei, Taiwan)
Inter-University Program for Chinese Language Studies (Beijing, China)
Mandarin Training Center at National Taiwan Normal University (Taipei, Taiwan)
Middlebury in China (Kunming, Hangzhou, Beijing, China)
The Alliance for Global Education (Beijing, Xi’an, Shanghai, China)

Study Abroad Programs suitable for IAP

Global Languages IAP-Shenzhen
CET Academic Programs (Beijing, Harbin, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Kunming, China)
New Century Language & Culture Center at Tianjin University of Finance and Economics (Tianjin, China)

Scholarships for Study Abroad

Chinese Government Scholarship
Mandarin Training Center Scholarship Program
Taiwan Scholarship and Huayu Enrichment Scholarship Program

Activities

New Course Launch:

21G.120. Business Chinese, Spring 2018.

Chinese Calligraphy, IAP 2018

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Chinese Studies

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