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Chinese Studies

The Department of World Languages, Literatures and Linguistics is home to a wide variety of quality programs and exciting opportunities. With courses in Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Latin (Classics), Russian and Spanish, the department plays a crucial role in providing the basic foreign language component for the Bachelor of Arts degree in the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences. Our degrees in Chinese Studies, French, German Studies and Spanish, the area of emphasis in Russian Studies and the minor include advanced coursework in language, literature, culture and linguistics as well as innovative capstone experiences.

World languages, literatures and linguistics students participate in internationally recognized study abroad programs. They spend a summer, a semester or even a year earning credits and gaining experience in countries like China, France, Germany, Spain and Mexico. In addition to regular courses and study abroad, students off campus enroll in increasing numbers in the department’s online and distance-learning courses. Small class sizes and an array of student groups, honor societies and language clubs all contribute to a congenial atmosphere.

As a world languages, literatures and linguistics student you will:

  • Explore other cultures and how they communicate.
  • Expand your language knowledge in a linguistically diverse environment.
  • Experience literature from a variety of perspective.
  • Examine languages from different theoretical frameworks.
  • Become immersed in a multicultural and multilingual environment.

How will I focus my studies?

Bachelor of Arts in Chinese Studies

Chinese is currently spoken by nearly one-fifth of the world’s population, including over one billion people speaking Chinese as their native language. Studying Chinese will prepare you for the opportunities and challenges involving the greater China region and to participate in the global socio-political and economic arena. Learning Chinese also opens a unique window into one of the world’s most ancient civilizations that has roots extending more than 6,000 years.

A major in Chinese Studies provides students with a solid liberal arts education that is the foundation for personal and professional success and growth over a lifetime. The curriculum is designed to provide students with well-developed cognitive and communication skills and with a broad knowledge base that will enable them to pursue additional studies at the graduate level or to enter the job market in positions that will demand knowledge of Chinese language and culture. The skills provided by a Bachelor of Arts in Chinese Studies complement and add value to a degree in any field.

Emily Morgan, Frederick, Maryland

Major: Chinese Studies and Biology

Emily Morgan

One of Emily’s most memorable experiences was participating in the Critical Language Scholarship program. “With help from the ASPIRE Office, I was awarded a competitive national scholarship to study abroad for two months in China at no cost. My language skills improved significantly, and I Ioved staying in a beautiful city with so much traditional Chinese architecture. I made some very good friends I still stay in touch with two years later!” A current graduate student in public health, Emily hopes to work in the field of emergency preparedness, response and recovery. In particular, she aspires to work for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the World Health Organization to respond to incidents on an international scale.

Learn more at the Chinese Studies site