Chinese Studies

[ Professors] [ Courses]

OFFICE: 3084 Humanities and Social Sciences Building, Muir College
http://chinesestudies.ucsd.edu

Chinese studies is an interdisciplinary program that allows the student interested in China to utilize the university’s offerings in various departments to build a major leading to a B.A. degree. In addition to coordinating courses in the various departments, the program in Chinese studies offers courses directly under its own auspices to round out the available offerings.

The Chinese Studies Program combines historical understanding with an emphasis on modern and contemporary China. The Chinese History Program has a strong specialization in late imperial and modern China. A full spectrum of courses on the politics, economics, society, and culture of today’s China are offered. Another focal point of research interest is visual culture and cultural history in modern and pre-modern China. The interdisciplinary nature of the program (see departmental affiliation of the participating faculty) can accommodate students of a wide range of interests. In addition to our local resources, the University of California Education Abroad Program (EAP) and Opportunities Abroad Program (OAP) are affiliated with various universities and language institutes in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Singapore. This, together with other academic exchange programs with a number of Chinese universities, provides the possibility of a junior year abroad, including both language courses and courses dealing with various aspects of Chinese studies. Subject to final approval by the program chair, EAP credits may be transferred back to UCSD to coordinate with on-campus offerings. However, at least six of the upper-division courses for the major must be taken at UCSD.

The Major Program

The student choosing a major in Chinese studies must meet the following requirements:

  1. Two years of Mandarin Chinese (Chinese Studies 11-12-13 and 21-22-23 or equivalent).
  2. History 10-11-12 (East Asian History)
  3. Twelve upper-division courses in Chinese studies, including courses taken in at least three departments. At least one of these courses should be a seminar or colloquium in which students would be expected to write a substantial term paper. No more than six upper-division language courses count toward the major requirement.
  4. As a rule, only courses taken for a letter grade can satisfy program requirements (major, minor). Exceptions are granted for Chinese Studies 198 and 199.

In principle, the courses included in the program in Chinese studies are those campus offerings dealing with China or the Chinese language. Most of the courses listed below are planned by participating departments for the current academic year.

Honors Program

Requirements for admission to the program are:

  1. Junior standing
  2. A GPA of 3.5 or better in the major
  3. Overall GPA of 3.2 or better
  4. Recommendation of a faculty sponsor familiar with the student’s work
  5. Completion of at least four upper-division courses approved by the Chinese Studies Program
  6. Completion of at least one year of Chinese language study

Students who qualify for honors take a two-quarter sequence of directed study during which they define a research project, carry out the research, and complete a senior thesis.

The completed thesis will be evaluated by a committee consisting of the student’s thesis advisor and one other faculty member appointed by the Chinese studies program chair.

The Minor Program

A minor in Chinese studies consists of at least three lower-division courses (a minimum of twelve units) and four upper-division courses (a minimum of sixteen units) taken for a letter grade. These courses should be chosen from three programs or departments. No more than three language courses may apply toward the minor requirement. For students wishing to apply courses taken abroad to the minor, please see the program coordinator. A list of approved courses is available quarterly from the Chinese Studies Program.