UB, University at Buffalo, State University of New York

• Chinese - Minor
• Course Descriptions

You are here: Undergraduate Catalog 2005 - 2006 > Academic Programs > Chinese

Department of Linguistics

College of Arts and Sciences
609 Baldy Hall
North Campus
Buffalo, NY 14260-1030

Phone: 716.645.2177
Fax: 716.645.3825
Web: linguistics.buffalo.edu/chinese

About the Program

†This area of study is available as a special major in consultation with the program coordinator and the student's academic advisor. It is not a separately registered degree program. Refer to the Special Majors section in this catalog for more information.

China has the world's oldest living civilization, and its culture has had significant impact on its neighboring countries. Now China is rapidly becoming a major player in world politics, and its economy is expanding fast. Not only is China a country that one must deal with politically, economically, and culturally - it also provides opportunities to the world in business, scholarly research, and within many other contexts. Mandarin Chinese (or Putonghua) is the official language.

The Chinese curriculum provides a solid foundation for an understanding and appreciation of the rich and diverse culture of China. The language and culture courses offered are useful to students who aspire to an East Asia–related academic or professional career in education, government, communication, business, or other fields in the United States and abroad.

The curriculum of the Chinese program includes:

Courses designed to develop or improve competence in spoken and written Chinese.
Courses for the advanced study of Chinese language and culture.
Courses that examine Chinese business etiquette.

Degree Options

East Asian Studies. Of interest to students enrolled in Chinese language and culture courses is the East Asian languages and cultures (EALC) section in the Department of Linguistics. The EALC consists of the Chinese, Japanese, and Korean programs. This special major, which combines courses offered in the three programs, can be arranged with faculty members of the three programs in the EALC section.

For more information, contact Dr. Mitsuaki Shimojo, coordinator of the East Asian languages and cultures section and director of the Japanese Language and Culture Program, 609 Baldy Hall, (716) 645-2177; e-mail: shimojo@buffalo.edu.

The Asian studies program also offers a BA in Asian studies and a minor in Asian studies. For more information, contact Dr. Thomas Burkman, 714 Clemens Hall, (716) 645-3474, or via e-mail at burkman@buffalo.edu.

Practical Experience and Special Opportunities

For study abroad options, see the Study Abroad section in this catalog or contact the Study Abroad Programs office at (716) 645-3912.

Career Opportunities/Further Study

The courses offered in the Chinese program give students the opportunity to develop advanced skills in a strategic Asian language and to study the people and cultures of China. Many students opt to combine a minor in Chinese with a major in the social sciences, engineering, the humanities, the sciences, or management.

Students majoring in business administration, geography, international business and world trade, and the interdisciplinary social sciences programs in international studies and Asian studies would find their bachelor’s degrees complemented by the study of the Chinese language. Given China's huge population, its geopolitical importance, its massive and growing economy, and U.S. interest in that country as a trading partner, the need for large numbers of U.S. citizens who are fluent speakers of Chinese and are knowledgeable about Chinese culture will continue to grow.