Our expanding range of Chinese and Asian studies courses help to prepare students for the transnational workplace of the 21st century. Courses in Chinese studies offer great opportunities for students at NC State to learn the fundamental aspects of communication in the official language used in Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Macau and Singapore.

Chinese characters are the oldest continuously used writing system in the world, and Mandarin is one of the official languages of the United Nations. Mandarin language skills are a gateway to participation in one of the most politically and economically important regions of the world. There are nearly two times as many native speakers of Mandarin as there are citizens of the European Union. There are more people with the surname Zhang than there are speakers of French.

Chinese courses at NC State also include studies of Chinese history, pre-modern and modern Chinese literature, the cinemas of Mainland China, Taiwan and Hong Kong, and Contemporary popular culture. These courses are offered in both Chinese and English, helping students to broaden their horizons through cross-cultural understanding and critical analysis. Our Asian Studies courses also respond to the needs of the larger Research Triangle community. The state of North Carolina is one of the most culturally diverse in the nation and Raleigh is gaining recognition as a cosmopolitan center of trade and innovation in which familiarity with Asian languages and cultural practices is becoming increasingly important. 

The Minor in Chinese Studies is a formal recognition at graduation of the achievement of learning Chinese language and culture at the intermediate level. It is designed for students who wish to continue further study or do business with Chinese people worldwide. Requirements for the minor include five courses (15 hours) from the Department of Foreign Languages and Literature and another department such as History, Political Science, and Philosophy & Religious Studies. The program includes courses in Chinese language: FLC 201, FLC 202, FLC 301, FLC 302, and any one of the following: HI 263 Asian Civilization to 1800, HI 264 Modern Asia, HI 471 Revolutionary China; HI 473 20th century Asian Revolutionaries, REL 332 the Buddhist Tradition; PS 342 Political Systems of China and Japan, PS 343 Southeast Asia.

How Chinese Can Meet Your Degree Requirements

The first and second semesters of Chinese (FLC101-102) may satisfy NC State's foreign language requirement. The third semester of Chinese (FLC 201) may satisfy the language requirement of the College of Humanities & Social Science, the College of Management and the First Year College.

Courses

• FLC 101 Elementary Chinese I. 3(3-0) Fall. Introduction to Modern Standard Chinese. Emphasis on speaking and listening with an introduction to reading, writing and Chinese culture.
• FLC 102 Elementary Chinese II. Preq: FLC 101. 3(3-0) Spring. Continuation of basic skills. Emphasis on speaking and listening with some reading, writing and Chinese culture.
• FLC 201 Intermediate Chinese I. Preq: FLC 102. 3(3-0) Fall. Continuation of basic skills. Greater emphasis on reading, writing, and Chinese cultural traditions.
• FLC 202 Intermediate Chinese II. Preq: FLC 201. 3 (3-0) Fall. Continuation of basic skills. Focus on reading, writing, Chinese cultural traditions and patterns of behavior.
• FLC 301 Intermediate Chinese III. Preq: FLC 202. 3(3-0) Fall. Last of the foundation courses in Chinese. Continued practice in speaking and understanding Chinese with new emphasis on writing and on the reading of cultural and literary texts.
• FLC 302 Intermediate Chinese IV. Preq: FLC 301. 3(3-0) Spring. Continued practice in speaking and understanding Chinese with greater emphasis on reading and writing. Continued study of cultural and literary texts
• FLC 401 Introduction to Chinese Literature and Social Science Texts. Preq: FLC 302. 3(3-0) Fall. Continued practice in Mandarin Chinese with greater emphasis on reading, writing and textual analysis.  Coursework focuses on study of literary and social science texts, with an emphasis on introducing students to the history and conventions of modern Chinese literature.
• FL 495 Chinese Popular Culture. Course introduces major themes in contemporary Chinese popular culture, including movies, novels, ad campaigns, internet culture, and trans-national phenomena like the "Korean Wave." Students gain a deeper understanding of modern Chinese history and its significance. No knowledge of China or Chinese is necessary.

Nathaniel Isaacson
Assistant Professor, Chinese Language and Literature
Section Coordinator, Chinese Studies
Email: nkisaacs@ncsu.edu
Office: Withers 208
Ph.D. UCLA, Asian Languages and Cultures, 2010

Hannah S Young
Senior Lecturer, specialty in Chinese Linguistics and Literature
Email: qqsfll@ncsu.edu
Office: Withers 213
Phone: 919-515-9290
Ph.D. Equivalent, Liaoning University, PRC, 1988

Chinese Studies Faculty Listing‌Asian Language Faculty Listing‌