About Chinese
The teaching of Chinese at FSU began in 1962. Since then, the Department of Modern Languages and Linguistics at Florida State University has grown to be one of the most dynamic centers of Chinese education in Florida. The Chinese major provides undergraduate students with a comprehensive range of courses in Chinese language from beginning to advanced levels, as well as courses in modern and premodern Chinese literature, Chinese civilization, Chinese cinema, Chinese linguistics and Chinese-English translation.
The department emphasizes the cultivation of cross-cultural awareness and solid understanding of the target-language communities. Students who want to obtain direct and fruitful exposure to the language and culture of contemporary Chinese society have the opportunity to attend FSU’s Summer Program in China organized by faculty, or study abroad through FSU’s partner institutions in China, Hong Kong or Taiwan.
Additionally, the department offers an M.A. degree program in East Asian Languages and Cultures (EALC) which enables students to pursue Chinese or Japanese studies at the graduate level.
[EFFECTIVE FALL 2025]:*
(*for students enrolled in the major prior to fall 2025, please consult the Academic Program Guide and for questions contact our undergraduate advising team).
Chinese Major (30 hours total)
Core Requirements (6 hours)
- LIN 2004 World Languages
- FOW 2100 Literature and the World
Chinese Major Requirements (24 hours)
Students will complete 24 credit hours at the upper-division. A minimum of 6 credit hours must be at the 4000-level. No more than 6 credit hours of translation courses taught in English will count towards the Chinese major.
Chinese Minor
The Chinese minor requires 12 semester hours in Chinese courses numbered above CHI 1121. Credit extended in meeting the foreign language requirement for graduation may not be used in satisfying the minor.
To view current undergraduate Chinese courses and descriptions, visit the College of Arts and Sciences Bulletin and scroll down to courses with prefixes ASN, CHI, CHT and CHW.
The Department of Modern Languages and Linguistics is committed to providing students with adequate opportunities of exposures to Chinese language and culture on campus. Students can get involved in several ways.
CHINESE LANGUAGE TABLE
Students are able to practice Chinese and get extra credits added to their final grades by participating in the weekly Chinese Language/Conversation Table. Tentative time and place (starting in Fall 2023): 3:00-4:00pm, Fridays @ DIF 130.
LANGUAGE PARTNERSHIP
Students can pair up with native Chinese speakers from among FSU’s Chinese international students to practice the target language and help each other in their mutual need for learning Chinese/English. Email to request a Chinese language partner may be sent to Professor Feng (jfeng@fsu.edu).
EXTRACURRICULAR AND CULTURAL EVENTS
Students are encouraged to participate in extracurricular activities and cultural events organized by the Chinese Program. They can get extra credits added to their final grades by participating in such events. The Program hosts a series of cultural events in each semester and announces the schedule and information about these events at the beginning of the semester. For instance, in Fall 2022, the Program successfully organized the following events:
- Celebrating Chinese New Year and Mid-Autumn Festival by joining the Gala organized by FSU CSSA (Chinese Students and Scholars Association)
- Asian Snacks Shopping & Fun Facts about China
- Chinese Game Night
- Chinese Calligraphy Workshop: The Pleasure of Characters
- Chinese Film Screening: Dying to Survive
Please contact Professor Feng (jfeng@fsu.edu) for more information if interested.