2016-2017

Chinese, Minor

Department of Global Languages and Cultures

College of Arts and Letters

Students in this minor gain proficiencies in Chinese language and an exposure to China’s role in the world’s culture and literature.

  • A minor is earned in conjunction with a bachelor's degree.

    To receive a minor (18 - 24 units) at Northern Arizona University, you must complete a planned group of courses from one or more subject matter areas with a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0. At least 12 units of the minor must be unique to that minor and not applied to any other minor.

In addition to University Requirements:

  • Complete individual plan requirements.

Students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.

Minimum Units for Completion 19
Major GPA 2.0
Foreign Language Required

Purpose Statement

The Chinese minor prepares students to be able to interact effectively in basic social situations in the spoken language, to comprehend simple, authentic oral and written texts dealing with well-known topics related to work, studies and leisure, and to write essays in Chinese at the intermediate level. In addition to language, students are also expected to be familiar with Chinese cultural nuances, historical aspects and social issues. Students with a Chinese minor are familiar enough with the language and culture to confidently produce language to complete daily tasks in the native country, such as greeting properly, ordering food, asking directions, shopping, making travel plans, etc., and to function effectively and efficiently in daily life when communicating with native and non-native speakers. Students who complete the Chinese minor have the necessary foundation to advance their proficiency in the Chinese language, the opportunity to gain intercultural understanding and the ability to better compete in the global job markets.

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Orally express ideas in Chinese through meaningful discussion of concrete topics relating to work, school, home, and leisure activities using all major time frames (present, past, and future). Students can interact with native speakers unaccustomed to dealing with non- natives, and handle complicated or unexpected communicative tasks. (Speaking skills)
  • When listening to others, be able to identify and use main ideas and details from the conversation, including description and narration in different time frames or aspects, about a variety of topics beyond immediacy of the situation, to communicate meaningfully with others. (Listening skills)
  • Identify and use main ideas and details from authentic, connected, longer, written texts involving description and narration in different formats about a variety of topics for communicative purposes. (Reading skills)
  • Create with language to express meanings in written form about familiar topics using the major time frames with some control of aspect. (Writing skills)

Minor Requirements

  • Take the following 19 with a Grade of "C" or better in each course:

    Finally, you may only take lower-level CHI courses if you have not already taken advanced CHI coursework. For instance, after you've completed 200-level CHI courses, you can't take CHI courses at the 100-level.

  • Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.