CHNS

or CHNS 299 Foreign Studies Select 6-8 credits of the following: 6-8

Subject

CHNS

Credits (min)

4

Credits (max)

4

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

This course provides an introduction to Chinese cultural production from ancient times to the postmodern era, with an emphasis on literature. In its more recent segments, the course will include film as well as considerations of Chinese cultures in the Chinese diaspora (such as the United States) and throughout the Chinese-speaking world. Students will learn about major eras of Chinese literature and the diversity of

Subject

CHNS

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

Survey of Chinese film and new media in the twentieth century and beyond, with attention to changing cultural settings. Taught in English.

Subject

CHNS

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

/Maximum of 9 Formal courses given infrequently to explore, in depth, a comparatively narrow subject which may be topical or of special interest.

Subject

CHNS

Credits (min)

1

Credits (max)

9

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

/Maximum of 12 Courses offered in foreign countries by individual or group instruction.

Subject

CHNS

Credits (min)

1

Credits (max)

12

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

/Maximum of 18 Supervised off-campus, nongroup instruction including field experiences, practica, or internships. Written and oral critique of activity required.

Subject

CHNS

Credits (min)

1

Credits (max)

18

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

Prerequisite

prior approval of proposed assignment by instructor

/Maximum of 18 Creative projects, including research and design, which are supervised on an individual basis and which fall outside the scope of formal courses.

Subject

CHNS

Credits (min)

1

Credits (max)

18

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

/Maximum of 9 Formal courses given infrequently to explore, in depth, a comparatively narrow subject which may be topical or of special interest.

Subject

CHNS

Credits (min)

1

Credits (max)

9

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

/Maximum of 12 Courses offered in foreign countries by individual or group instruction.

Subject

CHNS

Credits (min)

1

Credits (max)

12

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

/Maximum of 9 Formal courses given infrequently to explore, in depth, a comparatively narrow subject which may be topical or of special interest.

Subject

CHNS

Credits (min)

1

Credits (max)

9

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

/Maximum of 12 Courses offered in foreign countries by individual or group instruction.

Subject

CHNS

Credits (min)

1

Credits (max)

12

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

Emphasis on oral proficiency through discussions of aspects of contemporary Chinese culture. CHNS 401 Advanced Conversation (4) (IL) (BA) This course meets the Bachelor of Arts degree requirements.This course aims to enhance students' abilities in speaking, listening, reading, and writing. The objectives in this course are; 1)to review, reinforce, and expand the basic grammar, 2)to expand knowledge of characters, vocabulary and idioms, 3) to be able to speak not only in single sentences, but in dialogues to perform basic communicative functions,4) to be able to read and understand simple essays and stories, 5) to be able to write short compositions. Bachelor of Arts: World Language (All) Bachelor of Arts: World Lang (12th Unit)

Subject

CHNS

Credits (min)

4

Credits (max)

4

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

Prerequisite

CHNS 110

Readings in representative works of traditional and modern literature; practice in composition; study of aspects of Chinese culture. Bachelor of Arts: World Language (All) Bachelor of Arts: World Lang (12th Unit) Bachelor of Arts: Humanities Bachelor of Arts: World Cultures

Subject

CHNS

Credits (min)

4

Credits (max)

4

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

Prerequisite

CHNS 401 or EQUIVALENT

Continuation of CHNS 402. Aims to improve students' proficiency in all four language skills, with a special emphasis on writing. CHNS 403W Level Four Chinese A (4) This is a four credit course designed for those who have completed Level Three Chinese B or the equivalent. The course aims to further develop students' proficiency in all four language skills, with a special emphasis on writing. Students will study several topics on current social issues in modern Chinese society, such as education and housing issue, woman's status, through a selected textbook, news reading, and by interviewing native speaker of Chinese from different regions. Via all the debatable topics, students will be guided to explore and practice various writing styles, such as description, narration, argumentation, and expository writing throughout the semester. Comparison of rhetorical strategies between Chinese and English writing will also be introduced to help students think and write more like a native when using the target language. The majority of reading and writing assignments will be done outside of class, with some guidance from the instructor. Class time will be used mainly for discussions of content, feedback on writing. All class activities will be conducted in Chinese. Writing exercises include short response papers on topics, summarizes of the readings, and short essays. Through the writing exercises, students will reflect more deeply on certain topics, synthesize information from course materials, provoke critical thinking and express their opinions and support ideas by referring to and citing from source texts. This will help students be prepared for a longer thesis in the next course in the sequence. This course will help students further advance their writing skills by continuously building their vocabulary, understanding the target culture, and its social issues through various sources of structured and authentic materials. Students will also write a resume and formal letter that help them start building their career in Chinese. Writing Across the Curriculum

Subject

CHNS

Credits (min)

4

Credits (max)

4

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

Prerequisite

CHNS 402

Continutation of CHNS 403W. Aims to improve students' proficiency in all four language skills through content-based language learning.

Subject

CHNS

Credits (min)

4

Credits (max)

4

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

This course is designed for students who finish Level Two Chinese or higher and aims to help them develop Chinese proficiency through movies. CHNS 410 Chinese Through Film (3) (IL)(BA) This course meets the Bachelor of Arts degree requirements. This course aims to provoke students' critical thinking on China-related issues and improve their Chinese language proficiency by encouraging them to reenact and remake selected scenes from the movies, investigate and discuss the social issues as shown from the movies. This is a three credit course designed to go beyond the day-to-day topics to further develop students' understanding of the social issues in contemporary China and thus enhance their Chinese language proficiency. Through watching movies in Chinese, students will listen to authentic Chinese and expose to broader aspects of Chinese people's lives and Chinese society. In addition, they will have opportunities to conduct culture comparisons between China and the U.S., East and West, which will enable them to make in- depth analysis when examining a complex social, political or economic issue in China. The follow-up class activities include both speaking and writing assignments. Depending on the topics, speaking assignments may include: reenactment or recreation of a selected scene from the movies, class or group discussions, debates and presentations. Writing assignments may include: writing a new story or different ending for the movies, and reflection essays. Bachelor of Arts: Humanities

Subject

CHNS

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

Prerequisite

CHNS 110 or equivalent

This is a three-credit course designed for those who have completed Level Two Chinese or the equivalent. Business knowledge is presented as a means to facilitate language learning, while the content-based materials enhance cultural awareness. Emphasis will be given to helping students gain the linguistic skills that characterize advanced level second language learners, especially linguistic conventions essential to functioning in business environments. Real cases involving successful multinational Chinese and foreign companies and issues such as marketing, branding, mergers and acquisitions, OEM, and international expansion will be used as texts. The selected textbook is in Chinese with English explanations, but students will be guided through in-class discussions in Chinese. Approximately 80% of the instructional language will be conducted in Chinese. This course is designed to give students exposure to China's vibrant business scene and to enhance both their Chinese skills in the business context and their understanding of the social and cultural aspects of "doing business" in China and the impact of Chinese economy in the globalization era. Students will discuss real business cases from multinational companies that have successfully entered the Chinese market and from large Chinese corporations that have been successful in the global market, especially in the United States. By reading, discussing, and performing communicative tasks related to those cases, students will learn how to use Chinese as a "carrier of culture", thus acquiring a better understanding of China in economic and cultural terms. In addition to the business case analysis, supplementary reading, writing and listening exercises as well as media materials, such as clips of Chinese talk shows and television interviews, will also be provided. Highlights of these exercises are: listening comprehension of business news reports on current issues; Undergraduate - The Pennsylvania State University 2026-2027 3785 analysis of the Chinese financial market; discussion of Chinese business laws, translation of business terms and documents, and commercial language and word processing. Students are supported and guided through the course as they develop the skills they need to continue learning on their own. Students are encouraged to explore and keep up to date with new developments in China's economy through their own efforts, thus developing an independent learning style and connecting classroom learning to the real world.

Subject

CHNS

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

Prerequisite

CHNS 110

/Maximum of 3 The study of Chinese language and culture and a perspective on the way of life in contemporary Chinese society. Through this course, the students are introduced to a cognitive approach to the study of Chinese language and culture and a broad perspective on the Chinese way of life in contemporary Chinese society. In particular, we will study how the interaction between Chinese language and culture frames the worldview of Chinese speakers, how the usage of the Chinese language manifests the underlying conceptual structure, which in turn is shaped by the physical (including bodily) and cultural experience of its speakers, and how conventional usage of linguistic expressions of Chinese reflects, and possibly influences, the ways in which Chinese speakers see or conceptualize the world. We will focus on conventionalized expressions, which include compound words, idiomatic phrases, and proverbial sayings, in the Chinese language, and study the Chinese conventional ways of talking about reality, both external and internal, as windows into Chinese culture and cognition. More generally, we will try to understand the embodied nature of human cognition as we see how abstract thought is grounded in bodily experience in and with the physical and cultural world. We will also look at various domains of life in contemporary China in order to gain a better understanding of Chinese society. The objectives of this course are threefold: (1) to lead Chinese language students to a linguistic approach to language analysis so that they learn about how individual linguistic expressions fit into a coherent linguistic system; (2) to enable them to see how linguistic structures reflect underlying cognitive, conceptual structures which are derived from the interplay between human embodiment and cultural environment; and (3) to provide them with a broad perspective on contemporary Chinese society. HIST 175; CHNS 120; CHNS 121; 5th Semester standing Cross-listed with: ASIA 414 Bachelor of Arts: Humanities Bachelor of Arts: World Cultures

Subject

CHNS

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

Prerequisite

ASIA 4; ASIA 100; ASIA 101; ASIA 102; ASIA 175; CMLIT 4;

Study of modern and contemporary Chinese culture in its diversity and its intercultural contexts. CHNS 415 China Beyond China (3) (IL) In order to begin to understand Chinese culture, we cannot treat it as a monolithic, unified whole. This course will give an introduction to modern and contemporary Chinese culture (focusing on the 20th and 21st centuries) by paying special attention to China's inner diversity, as well as the continuous shaping of Chinese culture in contact, dialogue, and tension with other cultures. Through the study of literary texts, films, and other cultural material - as well as a small number of theoretical essays - this course will focus on: 1) Chinese culture in its variety by

Subject

CHNS

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

Study of gender roles and the imaginary of sexuality in the literary, filmic, and artistic production of modern China. CHNS 416 Gender and Sexuality in China (3) (IL) This course explores gender roles and the imaginary of sexuality in the literary, filmic, and artistic production of modern China (from the end of the 19th century up to today), paying attention also to developments in Chinese cultural spheres beyond the People's Republic, such as Taiwan, Hong Kong, and the Chinese diaspora. This course will use the representation of gender, sex, and sexuality as a lens through which modern and contemporary Chinese culture can be understood in its historical, social, and aesthetic changes. The analysis of representations of gender and sexuality throughout the class will focus on literary and filmic texts, as well as art, rather than on theoretica work on gender and sexuality (in China or in general). Course Objectives include:1. Critically assess the complex construction of gender roles and sexuality in modern and contemporary Chinese literature and film2. Reflect critically on different ways of understanding and representing gender difference.3. Critically assess the connections between gender and sexuality and changing political, historical, and cultural contexts.4. Question your assumptions about gender and sexualities in the context of cultural difference, understand cultures and value systems that may be different from (or be shared with) your own. CMLIT 4; HIST 175; CHNS 120; CHNS 121; HIST 183; 5th Semester standing Cross-listed with: ASIA 416 Bachelor of Arts: World Cultures

Subject

CHNS

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

Prerequisite

ASIA 4; ASIA 100; ASIA 101; ASIA 102; ASIA 175; ASIA 183;

Subject

CHNS

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

This course familiarizes students with the critical texts and intellectual cultures of Warring States and early imperial China. CHNS 418 / ASIA 418 / HIST 482 Confucius and the Great Books of China (3) This course exposes students to the key texts, thinkers, and ideas that form the foundation of the Chinese classics and classical period, providing an integral foundation for the study of Chinese history, culture, or literature. While the emphasis is on the texts and their main themes, the course will encourage historical engagement with the texts by placing them into a context of competing cultural, social, political trends. Readings may be grouped around categories of teachings such as Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism, or around thinkers such as "(Confucian) ritualists," "statesmen," "military strategists," "rebels," "recluses," and "spiritual leaders." Students will learn how each of these types of teachings and thinkers related to each other, as well as how they responded to the emergent, centralized political order of the day. This will help students better understand many of the recurrent intellectual, political, and religious themes that arise in later Chinese history as well. CHNS 120; CHNS 121; ENGL 15; RLST 3; RLST 181; 5th Semester standing Cross-listed with: ASIA 418, HIST 482 Bachelor of Arts: Humanities Bachelor of Arts: World Cultures

Subject

CHNS

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

Prerequisite

ASIA 3; ASIA 100; ASIA 104; ASIA 175; ASIA 181; HIST 175;

/Maximum of 6 Study of the rhetorical works in ancient China as well as multiple facets of modern Chinese rhetoric. CHNS 419 The Chinese Rhetorical Tradition (3 per semester/maximum of 6) (IL)(BA) This course meets the Bachelor of Arts degree requirements. This course surveys the Chinese rhetorical tradition dating back two and a half millennia. Rhetoric is defined here as the study and practice of artful means of communication, including poetic, expository, and argumentative modes. The class will first delve into the works of competing intellectual schools in pre-imperial China (pre-221 BCE), which set a corner stone for thoughts and practice of communication in the imperial period (221 BCE - 1918). These schools, including the Daoist, the Confucian, and the Legalist, developed their rhetorical notions through engaging with the political, intellectual, and ethnic Other. From here the class will examine the multiple facets of modern Chinese rhetoric, which has undergone a continual contact and conflation with other rhetorical traditions in the global contact zone. The class will focus on topics such as feminist discourse, Chinese-American rhetoric, and the teaching of writing, which bear direct implications on our contemporary social life. HIST 175; CHNS 120; CHNS 121; RLST 3; RLST 181; 5th Semester standing Concurrent Courses: ENGL 471 Cross-listed with: ASIA 419 Bachelor of Arts: Humanities Bachelor of Arts: World Cultures

Subject

CHNS

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

Prerequisite

ENGL 15; ASIA 3; ASIA 100; ASIA 104; ASIA 175; ASIA 181;

/Maximum of 6 Survey of aspects of the contemporary Chinese-speaking world. Includes readings from Chinese newspapers, magazines, and fiction. Topics may vary each semester. CHNS 452 Contemporary China: Culture and Trends (3) (IL) BA - This course meets the Bachelor of Arts degree requirements. This course surveys Chinese cultural production in the contemporary period , with an emphasis on literature. Taught in Chinese; readings and assignments in Chinese. The course will examine the diverse forms of cultural expression (literature, film, new media, theater, television) throughout the Chinese-speaking world. Students will learn about major cultural trends in such locations as mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and the worldwide Chinese diaspora. Readings will represent several genres, such as poetry, folktale, short story, novel, prose fiction, and drama. Through this course students can develop a historical and cultural perspective in order to understand the contexts and value systems that have inspired literary works in the contemporary period. Students will investigate such topics as the relation between social institutions and the individual, the traditional patriarchal system, the changing roles of women, westernization, and postmodern consumer culture, among others. Class work will includes lectures or presentations by the instructor and student participation through means such as guided discussions, group discussions, and students' presentations. This participatory approach is intended to deepen students' appreciation of the texts, to help them understand value systems that may differ from, or else be shared with, those predominant in modern Western cultures, and to assist students in developing analytical and expressive abilities. Chinese 452 is designed to be suitable for students (Chinese majors) who have completed Chinese 401. The course is designed to count Undergraduate - The Pennsylvania State University 2026-2027 3787 as international cultures, and as a B.A. 'Other Cultures' course. This course will be taught in the active-learning mode, featuring a variety of instructional components such as lecture, discussion, oral presentations, web-based activities, etc., to provide students abundant opportunity for expressing their opinions. The course will include writing, speaking, self-expression; information gathering, synthesis, and analysis; and international/intercultural components. Bachelor of Arts: World Cultures

Subject

CHNS

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

Prerequisite

CHNS 401

/Maximum of 6 Selected films and directors representing various aspects of Chinese culture and cinema. Topics may vary each semester. Taught in Chinese.

Subject

CHNS

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

/Maximum of 6 Basic patterns and structures of Classical Chinese to the first millennium B.C. to the 19th century. CHNS 454 Introduction to Classical Chinese (3) (IL) BA - This course meets the Bachelor of Arts degree requirements.This course introduces students to the basic patterns and structures of Classical Chinese. Classical Chinese is a language shaped in the latter half of the first millennium B.C. that still persists as a living medium of expression today. Knowledge of Classical Chinese is important to help students read and understand sophisticated modern Chinese texts, which make frequent use of Classical allusions and constructs. In this

Subject

CHNS

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

/Maximum of 12 Supervised student activities on research projects identified on an individual or small-group basis.

Subject

CHNS

Credits (min)

1

Credits (max)

12

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

/Maximum of 12 Supervised student activities on research projects identified on an individual or small-group basis.

Subject

CHNS

Credits (min)

1

Credits (max)

12

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

/Maximum of 18 Creative projects, including research and design, which are supervised on an individual basis and which fall outside the scope of formal courses.

Subject

CHNS

Credits (min)

1

Credits (max)

18

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

/Maximum of 9 Formal courses given infrequently to explore, in depth, a comparatively narrow subject which may be topical or of special interest.

Subject

CHNS

Credits (min)

1

Credits (max)

9

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

/Maximum of 12 Courses offered in foreign countries by individual or group instruction.

Subject

CHNS

Credits (min)

1

Credits (max)

12

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

/Maximum of 9 Creative projects, including nonthesis research, that are supervised on an individual basis and which fall outside the scope of formal courses.

Subject

CHNS

Credits (min)

1

Credits (max)

9

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

graduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu