An Iowa College in the Liberal Arts Tradition
Chinese
Elizabeth Steding (department head), Hongmei Yu (section head)
Language Learning Center
The department of Modern Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics has a Language Learning Center in Main Building. Language students have access to language learning materials, tutoring, computers and printers, and video study rooms. The Language Learning Center also houses the department's Foreign Language Media Library with over 800 foreign language films and a selection of leisure reading books and audio books for language learners. Students can check out these materials as well as audio and video equipment for their class assignments. The Language Learning Center also provides language students with valuable work-study experiences related to their interest in languages.
Chinese Courses
CHIN 101 Beginning Chinese
- 4 hours
This course offers an introduction to speaking, reading, listening to, and writing Chinese. Through the study of the language, the student will also gain an appreciation of Chinese culture and contemporary life.
CHIN 102 Beginning Chinese
- 4 hours
- Prerequisites: CHIN 101
This course offers an introduction to speaking, reading, listening to, and writing Chinese. Through the study of the language, the student will also gain an appreciation of Chinese culture and contemporary life.
CHIN 201 Intermediate Chinese
- 4 hours
- Prerequisites: CHIN 102
A continuation of the study of Mandarin Chinese: grammar, writing, speaking, reading and listening comprehension. Speaking proficiency will be developed through active class participation. The use of authentic materials (video, music, texts) will enhance language skills and cultural knowledge.
CHIN 202 Intermediate Chinese
- 4 hours
- Prerequisites: CHIN 201
A continuation of the study of Mandarin Chinese: grammar, writing, speaking, reading and listening comprehension. Speaking proficiency will be developed through active class participation. The use of authentic materials (video, music, texts) will enhance language skills and cultural knowledge.
CHIN 246 Chinese Cinema and Chinese Modernity
- 4 hours
- Fulfills: Human Expression—Primary Texts, Intercultural
From the fall of the Clestial Empire to the rise of China's economy today, Chinese cinema has witnessed many social changes in the modern era. This course will focus on the interaction between Chinese cinema and the process of modernization. By examining how Chinese films dialogue with Hollywood, it will explore Chinese people's experiences of semi-colonial modernity, socialist modernity and postsocialist/global modernity. Students will watch select films made in mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Along with reading and writing assignments, students will be required to do oral presentations. All films have English subtitles. All readings are in English. Students with Chinese language background may elect to enroll in CHIN 246 for additional assignments in Chinese.