Chinese
About this opportunity
The BA program in Asian languages with a concentration in Chinese emphasizes proficiency in reading, writing and speaking modern Mandarin, as well as in reading classical Chinese.
Students gain an in-depth understanding of the fundamentals of the rich Chinese cultural tradition centered on primary Chinese texts from the literary, intellectual and religious cultures of Chinese-speaking societies.
Students interested in learning Chinese are encouraged to inquire about the Chinese Language Flagship Program. All students with higher levels of linguistic competency may enroll in targeted courses offered as part of the Chinese flagship track.
Thesis
Students from Barrett Honors College are encouraged to take these courses to discover for themselves the specific topics they would consider researching for their honors thesis, along with the instructor with whom they would like to do their work. Students are more than welcome to meet with anyone on our faculty. To successfully complete the thesis as Barrett Honors major in Chinese, a student must meet both Chinese and Barrett Honors requirements.
The Thesis Committee should be made up of the thesis director (an ASU faculty-line member) from the Chinese Program in the School of International Letters and Cultures and at least one other committee member who does not have to be an ASU lecturer or faculty-line member.
Academic Preparation
The topic can be chosen from any aspects of Chinese culture and society in which our Chinese faculty members have their expertise. Find information about the faculty areas of research online. There are a number of courses in which students can develop a topic and research for the chosen topic.
Recommended Timeline
Contact potential thesis advisors, preferably with a project in mind, at least two semesters before the defense (E.g., Spring semester for a defense in the following spring semester). Make a two-semester plan for the thesis with the selected advisor.
Other Honors Opportunities
There are a number of courses in the Chinese program you can enroll with Honors Enrichment Contract. All upper-level courses, depending on the semester they are offered, can be considered, including, 300 and 400, some 400 (sometimes combined with 500), CHI 120, and some 200-and 300-level language courses upon the approval of the instructor. Upper-level (especially 400 or above) courses may require advanced reading knowledge of Chinese. Students are advised to contact instructors before making decisions.
Automatic honors credit is awarded for:
- CHI 348 Pathways into Chinese Culture
- CHI 407 Chinese for Academic and Professional Purposes I