Bachelor of Chinese at University of Florida

The B.A. in Foreign Languages and Literatures (FLL) provides students with a comprehensive knowledge of a specific language (or languages) and advanced familiarity with the cultural practices and traditions associated with the language(s) of specialization. The major in FLL enhances critical thinking and communication skills and provides students with a cross-cultural understanding of our contemporary world. The program allows students the flexibility to explore a single or dual language specialization as well as the opportunity to study culture through interdisciplinary fields of critical concentration, such as Comparative Cultural Studies, Film and Visual Culture, Intensive Area Studies, Literary Studies, and Medieval and Early Modern Studies. A major in FLL offers an excellent basis for a variety of careers, including graduate study in an area of foreign language and culture and/or in the humanities and social sciences, as well as careers in education, international development, diplomacy and government, national security, communications, law, journalism, arts and culture, publishing, and global business. Participation in UF study-abroad programs or a UF approved program is highly encouraged.

The Chinese specialization of the Foreign Languages and Literatures major provides a foundation for graduate-level work in East Asian studies or allied fields (anthropology, art history, history, linguistics, political science and religion). The major is excellent general preparation for entry to professional schools (business, journalism, law and medicine) or careers in foreign service, commerce, diplomacy, translation, business, import and export of information and culture, museums, libraries, and tourism.

Coursework for the Major

The Chinese specialization of the Foreign Languages and Literatures major consists of preparatory language study at the lower division (1000 and 2000 level), and 33 hours of advanced language, theory, and culture study in the upper division (3000 level and above).

All coursework for the major must be completed with minimum grades of C.

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Although courses may appear in more than one group they may be counted toward only one group.

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Recommended for those planning to pursue careers requiring advanced level skills in Chinese or graduate work in Chinese studies.

Students must take the Chinese STAMP 4s Proficiency Test or the equivalent, with level 4 or above proficiency, during or immediately following the second semester of Advanced Chinese or other advanced level course.

Students also must achieve satisfactory faculty evaluation of a self-selected research term paper written for an upper-division course or senior thesis.

Overseas Study

UF in Chengdu at Southwestern University of Finance and Economics is a summer program that provides the equivalent of the UF courses Intermediate Chinese 1 and 2 (CHI 2230/2231) and Advanced Chinese 1 and 2 (CHI 3410/3411) through a 10-week summer session, and uses the same syllabus and required textbooks. Its transfer-credit program features courses in English, CHI 4930 Chinese Society and CHI 4956 Sichuan Culture, that also may apply toward the Chinese specialization.

Placement

Students with previous training in Chinese, as well as those with heritage background in the language, should consult the undergraduate coordinator or the language coordinator of the Chinese specialization before enrolling in any CHI or CHW course. Placement tests are given at the start of each semester; refer to the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures for location and times.

The Foreign Languages and Literatures (FLL) major enables students to achieve communicative competence in their language(s) of specialization. Students will become knowledgeable in the culture and literature and/or linguistics associated with their language area(s) such that they will be able to critically analyze and evaluate authentic sources in the target language(s) and formulate independent, critical perspectives in the target language(s). Further, students will learn the intercultural skills and practical know-how necessary to negotiate traveling, studying, and living in the target culture(s).

Before Graduating Students Must

• Satisfy the Florida statutes for the College-Level Academic Skills Requirement.
• Complete requirements for the baccalaureate degree, as determined by faculty.
• Achieve one or more of the following, as determined by their specialization within the FLL program: an acceptable score on a language proficiency test and/or a satisfactory faculty evaluation of a term paper, final project, or oral presentation completed for a selected advanced course.

Students in the Major Will Learn to

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

Content

1. Describe and define cultural concepts, literary production, and/or linguistic structure in language(s) of specialization.

Critical Thinking

1. Analyze, interpret, and evaluate texts according to their cultural, literary and/or linguistic content.

Communication

1. Express critical competence in relation to the culture(s) of specialization through performance of comprehensive analysis in written and oral form.
2. Display oral and written proficiency in language(s) of specialization.

Curriculum Map

I = Introduced; R = Reinforced; A = Assessed

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Courses focus on the acquisition of the language(s) of specialization at the advanced level.

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Courses address literary, cultural, cinematic, historical, and/or social questions.

Assessment Types

• Proficiency exams
• Term papers or final projects
• Oral presentations