Chinese
The Chinese program at Carthage goes beyond mastering the language. It is a four-year program with curriculum courses in Chinese history, film, politics, culture, and Asian religion.
Carthage offers a major and minor in Chinese. Students who study Chinese at Carthage will enjoy small classes, individualized attention, and a program centered on helping students achieve their personal and professional goals. You’ll be guided by dedicated professors and Target Language Experts, who bring authenticity to their teaching as native speakers from Chinese-speaking countries and regions like Taiwan, Hong Kong, China, and Singapore.
Courses are designed to cultivate skills for the workforce, and all majors study abroad in a Chinese-speaking country for at least a semester.
Courses you’ll take
All classes in the major are taught in Chinese. Here’s a sampling of required and elective offerings:
- Chinese Conversation
- Chinese and Japanese Culture
- Calligraphy
- Introduction to Asian Studies
- Buddhism
- Chinese and Japanese Literature and Culture
Retroactive credits
If you test into a course and then earn a “C” or better, you can earn up to 12 free retroactive credits. That’s three times more than you’ll get from any AP or college-level class that offers college credit!
Outside the classroom
Chinese Lunch Table
During the weekly Chinese Lunch Table, students chat in Chinese with each other, professors, Target Language Experts, and international students from China.
Chinese Club
Chinese Club is a student-run organization that hosts meetings and events for students interested in China. Expand your knowledge of China and its culture outside of class. International students from China are regular and integral members of the club.
Field Trips
The Chinese program organizes field trips every semester to locations like Chinatown and the Chinese American Museum of Chicago. Experience first-hand cultural practices, tea ceremonies, Chinese cooking, and calligraphy demonstrations.
J-Term and Study Abroad
Faculty from various academic departments at Carthage regularly lead J-Term study tours to China. Students of all majors can study the country’s incredible history, growing economy, and rich culture. Modern language majors are also required to spend at least one full semester abroad.
Popular minors & second majors
After Carthage
China, which has the second-largest economy in the world, is on the rise. Chinese, spoken by 1.3 billion people, is the second largest language (next to English) in the world.
Studying Chinese at Carthage leads to jobs in business, marketing, healthcare, computer science, recruiting, teaching, interpreting, tourism, and more.