2025-2026 General Catalog
Source: https://catalog.ucdavis.edu/departments-programs-degrees/east-asian-languages-cultures/chinese-ab/ Parent: https://catalog.ucdavis.edu/departments-programs-degrees/#programsanddegreestext
The Major Program
The department offers a core language program in Chinese, and courses in literature and culture. The core language program has two tracks: one for students who have no Chinese-language background whatsoever and one for students with prior background.
The Program
Practical language skills are taught using contemporary methods and materials, so that upon entering the upper division a student will have attained substantial fluency in the spoken language (listening and speaking) and the written language (reading and writing). Upper division courses balance the need to further develop language skills with the need to understand and appreciate the richness and diversity of Chinese culture. All students are encouraged to combine their study of language and literature with courses in related fields, and to study abroad through the Global Learning Hub or through internships in China or Taiwan.
Career Opportunities
UC Davis graduates have learned that a major in Chinese is a meaningful, earned distinction that facilitates entrance to graduate programs and professional schools. In addition, job opportunities abound in virtually all career paths, especially for graduates who have completed study abroad.
Honors Program
To be eligible to receive high or highest honors in the Chinese major, students must complete a senior thesis project. A student interested in pursuing a senior thesis project must enroll in CHN 194H and complete a scholarly paper or similar research project under the direction of a senate faculty member. The thesis project will have a minimum duration of two quarters and carry a minimum of 6 units of credit. Up to 4 CHN 194H units earned can be counted toward the major requirements. To qualify to undertake the senior thesis project, a student must have completed at least 135 units with a minimum GPA of 3.500 in courses counted toward the major. Interested students should consult with faculty in their field of interest by the quarter before they hope to commence work on the project (in most cases this will be the Spring Quarter of their junior year). Students who complete the senior thesis project and have an overall GPA that qualifies them for honors may be recommended by the faculty for honors, high honors, or highest honors at graduation.
Education Abroad Program
The university maintains study abroad programs in China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. They offer excellent opportunities for students to polish their language skills and experience Asian cultures firsthand. Students are encouraged to participate. Appropriate courses taken abroad can be applied toward the major or the minor. For details, see the department's undergraduate advisor or the Global Learning Hub.
Related Courses
See East Asian Studies (EAS) course list.
Prerequisite Credit
No student may repeat a course if that course is a prerequisite for a course that has already been completed with a grade of C– or better.
Placement
Chinese CHN 001 is intended for beginning students with no prior knowledge of the Chinese language. Students who do have some knowledge but wish to improve their skills should meet with an advisor to discuss appropriate placement. Students must follow departmental guidelines for placement in all language courses and instructor approval is required for enrollment.
Backtracking
Satisfactory completion of a language course is evidence that a student’s language skills are beyond the level of those expected in its prerequisite courses. Accordingly, students who have completed a language course cannot go back and take its prerequisites. If the prerequisite courses are required for the major, students may substitute other courses. Students who are not sure how this requirement applies to them should speak to the undergraduate advisor.
Waived Language Courses
Students with exceptional language ability may waive required language courses. If lower division courses have been waived, students will not have to take courses in their place. If upper division courses have been waived, students can use other appropriate courses to earn the units they need to complete the major. Consult the undergraduate advisor regarding the selection of appropriate courses.
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