Course Majors and Minors

Chinese was the first class that I took at Swarthmore, and on Monday at 8:00 am, I learned how to count to ten in Chinese. I was immediately hooked. I took more courses in Chinese politics, history, and literature, and at some point, it seemed as if I had always intended to study Chinese.

— Lea Ekeberg ('98)

Students may major or minor in both the course and Honors programs. The Chinese major contains components of language, literature, and culture. Study abroad is strongly encouraged and supported, and contributes directly to a major or minor in Chinese. An Honors major or minor in Chinese is also available, and students of Chinese also may major in Asian Studies, where Chinese language courses above the first-year level as well as Chinese literature and culture courses and credit for study abroad may normally be counted toward the major. Students interested in majoring or minoring in Chinese should consult with the section head of Chinese as soon as possible.

Course Major Requirements

  • a minimum of nine (9) credits in courses numbered 003B and above.
  • mandatory completion of the following courses: 020, 021, 033 or equivalent; at least one course or seminar in translation on modern Chinese literature/film, and one course or seminar on pre-modern literature/culture
  • study abroad in a program approved by the Section is strongly recommended; transferred credits normally may be counted toward the major
  • a minimum of six (6) credits of work must be completed at Swarthmore
  • one credit can be earned from another department on a China-related subject with the approval of the Chinese Section
  • a culminating exercise or thesis

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Requirements for Special Major in Interdisciplinary Chinese Studies

  • a minimum of ten (10) credits in courses numbered 003B and higher
  • must complete the following courses: 012 or highter; at least two additional courses or one seminar on language/literature/culture/film, one concerning the modern period and one the pre-modern period
  • study abroad in a program approved by the Section is strongly recommended; transferred credits normally may be counted toward the major
  • a minimum of six (6) credits of work must be completed at Swarthmore
  • up to three (3) credits can be earned from other departments on China-related subjects with the approval of the Chinese Section
  • a culminating exercise or thesis

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Course Minor Requirements

  • a minimum of five (5) credits of work in courses numbered 4B and above
  • at least two credits in classical or modern literature/culture/film in translation
  • a minimum of three (3) credits of work must be completed at Swarthmore
  • study abroad in a program approved by the Section is strongly recommended; transferred credits normally may be counted toward the minor
  • one credit can be earned from another department on a China-related subject with the approval of the Chinese Section

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