Chinese

(Offered within the Department of Asian Studies)

Chinese puts you in touch with 1.3 billion people and with a culture still vital after more than 3,000 years. Already the second-largest economy in the world, with an annual economic growth rate more than double that of the U.S., China is also playing an increasingly large role in Asia. Our country critically needs proficient speakers of Chinese, not only in government service, but also in business, law, journalism, and technology. But with few exceptions, Americans visit China unable to speak the language. St. Olaf has taught Chinese since 1973 and is one of only a few colleges in the Midwest that offers four years of language study, multiple study abroad programs, and a broad selection of related courses in art, economics, history, literature, philosophy, politics and religion.

The Chinese Major

To fulfill a Chinese major, students will demonstrate both linguistic and cultural competence.

For linguistic and language skills, the Chinese language major students will possess proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing at the American Council of Teaching Foreign Languages (ACTFL) Intermediate-High level or above as well as metalinguistic and intercultural awareness of the use of Chinese language in different social milieus.

Regarding cultural knowledge, students will have the ability to analyze, interpret, and critique various discourses and cultural productions such as literature, art, history, religion, philosophy, and politics in both social-cultural and global-contemporary contexts.

Intended Learning Outcomes of the Major

Special Programs

Since 1984, St. Olaf has had a sister-school relationship with East China Normal University (ECNU) in Shanghai, China, a city that has been the focus of China’s trade and cultural exchange with the West for 150 years. Students with two years of study of Chinese language are encouraged to spend a fall semester on our Term in China program in Shanghai. Since 2018, furthermore, St. Olaf has been working with Fulbright Taiwan to diversify our study abroad programs. Students with or without prior Chinese language studies are encouraged to spend either a fall or a spring semester at one of the institutions affiliated with our Term in Taiwan program.