Chinese Language Program
The Chinese Program offers five years of instruction in Mandarin Chinese. First-year Chinese (CNSE001-002) has two master sections (at Haverford) and three drill sections (at Bryn Mawr). Second-year Chinese (CNSE003-004) offers two master sections (at Bryn Mawr) and two drill sections (at Haverford). A special note to students interested in First-year or Second-year Chinese: They should register in one of the master sections and choose one of the drill sections (they do not need to register separately for the drill section and they cannot register just for a drill section). Both First-year and Second-year Chinese courses are year-long courses. First-year Chinese is intensive and students receive a total of 3 credits for the year. Second-year Chinese is non-intensive and students receive a total of two credits for the year. Third-year and Advanced Chinese (CNSEB101-102 and CNSEB201-202) are taught at Bryn Mawr College. Advanced Chinese, offered through four different content courses, can be taken as Fourth or Fifth-year Chinese.
If you have any questions, please contact Changchun Zhang, the acting director (czhang@brynmawr.edu) for semester I, and Shizhe Huang (shuang@haverford.edu), the director for semester II. If you have any background in Chinese, please check our description of Placement Tests below. All students who can speak Chinese are invited to our weekly Chinese Table at the Dining Centers at Bryn Mawr and Haverford.
Chinese Language Faculty
Tz'u Chiang, Senior Lecturer
Thomas Hall 120
610-526-6560
Shizhe Huang, C. V. Starr Professor of Asian Studies and Associate Professor of Chinese and Linguistics, Director of Bryn Mawr-Haverford Chinese Language Program, Director of Haverford Linguistics Program (on leave semester I)
Founders 123
610-896-1262
shuang@haverford.edu
Pauline Lin, Assistant Professor (on leave semester II)
Thomas Hall 124
610-526-5671
plin@brynmawr.edu
Tsung L. Tsai, Drill Instructor
Office: Thomas Hall 114
610-526-7974
Changchun Zhang, Instructor, Acting Director of Chinese Language Program (semester I)
Thomas Hall 114
610-526-7974
czhang@brynmawr.edu
College Foreign Language Requirement
The College’s foreign language requirement may be satisfied by completing CNSE 003 and 004 with an average grade of at least 2.0 or with a grade of 2.0 or better in CNSE 004.
Chinese Language Placement Test
All incoming students who wish to take Chinese, including heritage students who can speak the language with no or limited reading and writing skills, must take the Chinese Placement Exam.
Day & Time: Thursday, August 27, 8:30-10:00 a.m.
Location: Computer Lab, Roberts Hall. (It is in the basement under the stage and may take some time to locate. So please give yourself ample extra time so as to get to the lab by 8:30.)
There are two parts for the placement test:
- Part I: The Listening and Written Exam
This part will be done on the computer. The exam will focus on the student's abilities in listening comprehension, pinyin usage, grammatical skills, use of characters, and writing skills (60 minutes).
- Part II: The Oral Exam
This part will be administered as an
interview with one of the Chinese faculty members immediately after you complete Part I. In this exam we will focus on the student's pronunciation, tones, fluency, and correct usage of Chinese.
Once we combine the scores for both exams, we will place each student based on their performance in first-year through fourth-year Chinese. Placement results will be available through the Dean's Office on Friday. Interested students are encouraged to attend the Academic Fair from 10:30 am-1:30 pm at Bryn Mawr College (Thomas Great Hall) following the exam, or the Academic Teas 1:00-3:00 pm on Friday, August 28 at Haverford College, where they could meet with a representative of the Chinee Program to discuss specific questions regarding the Chinese curriculum.
Since the Chinese Program is a bi-college program, some explanation is in order here for First-year Chinese. We offer TWO master sections for First-year Chinese (CNSE001-002). Both sections are open to first year students who would like to begin their formal studies of Mandarin Chinese in Bi-co. Students receive 1.5 credits for each semester of this year-long course. Both master classes meet at Haverford College (MWF). Students from the two master sections are divided into three drill sections, all of which meet at Bryn Mawr (TTH).
For further information, please contact Changchun Zhang (czhang@brynmawr.edu).
Study Abroad
The Department of East Asian Studies strongly recommends study abroad to maximize language proficiency and cultural familiarity. Because study abroad provides an unparalleled opportunity to study a culture from the inside, students spending a semester or year in China, Japan or Korea will be required to prepare an essay of 10 pages on some aspect of the society or culture of their host country. Sources for this essay may include course readings, magazines, novels, newspapers, television, or personal interviews. The essay may take up contemporary or historical themes.
Formal approval is required by the study abroad adviser prior to the student’s travel. Without this approval, credit for courses taken abroad may not be accepted by the East Asian Studies Department.
If studying abroad is not practical, students may consider attending certain intensive summer schools approved by the East Asian Studies Department. These plans must be worked out in concert with the department’s study abroad adviser and the student’s dean.
Chinese Language Courses
CNSE B001, B002 First-year Chinese
An intensive introductory course in modern spoken and written Chinese. The development of oral-aural skills is integrated through grammar explanations and drill sessions designed to reinforce new material through active practice. Six hours a week of lecture and oral practice plus one-on-one sessions with the instructor. This is a year-long course carrying three units of credit; both semesters are required for credit. (Zhang, Tsai)
CNSE H003, H004 Second-year Chinese
Second-year Chinese aims for further development of language skills in speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Five hours of class plus one-on-one sessions with the instructor. This is a year-long course; both semesters are required for credit. (Chiang, Zhang, Language Level 2)
CNSE B101, B102 Third-year Chinese
A focus on overall language skills through reading and discussion of modern short stories, as well as on students’ facility in written and oral expression through readings in modern drama and screenplays. Readings include representative works from the May Fourth Period (1919-27) to the present. Audio- and videotapes of drama and films are used as study aids. Prerequisite: Second-year Chinese or permission of instructor. (Chiang, Language Level 2)
CNSE B201 Advanced Chinese: Chinese through Film and Art
Through reviews, interviews, newspaper articles, and essays on film and art, this course has two aims: first, to introduce students to Chinese films, documentaries, and modern Chinese art; and second, to enrich students’ vocabulary in discussing cultural issues confronting China today. We will study the works of Fourth through Sixth generation directors (Wu Tianming, Zhang Yimou, Jia Zhangke), and will look at artworks by modern Chinese artists (Li Hua to Wang Quingsong), read and write about urgent issues facing contemporary China expresses through art. Prerequisite: third-year Chinese or above. (Lin, Division III)
CNSE B202 Advanced Chinese: Readings in Contemporary Chinese Culture
Through non-fiction writings this course begins with the 1980’s and concludes with contemporary China. Enriches the students’ vocabulary in and understanding of social, cultural and business issues confronting China today. Students will read and write about urgent matters that China is facing; while enhancing aural and spoken skills through presentations and discussions. Prerequisite: Third-year Chinese or the equivalent. (Huang).
