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Pacific Northwest College of Art

Study Chinese Studies

Develop language skills and cultural awareness that will be vital throughout your career. Minor in Chinese Studies and prepare to navigate a global world.

Program Snapshot

Degree Type

Minor

Program Type

Minor

Credit Hours

20

Campus

Salem Campus

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Our Chinese Studies Minor

Explore Chinese contributions to culture from art and literature to history and politics. Learn a foreign language and gain an understanding of Chinese culture. Elevate your education with a Chinese Studies minor. 

Why choose a Chinese Studies minor at Willamette? 

  • Study abroad opportunities. Expand your knowledge and skills outside of the United States through a study abroad program. Students have studied at Lingnan University in Hong Kong and Xiamen University. 
  • An interdisciplinary framework. Study different aspects of Chinese language and culture to gain an understanding of China and Chinese people around the world. 
  • Build connections beyond the classroom. Engage with the campus community by joining the Sinophone Cultural Association. Bridge gaps among Chinese and Chinese American students on Willamette’s campus. Take part in Chinese garden trips, cultural lectures, and other activities.

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Our Faculty
Our professors have published work and inspired students. They have extensive knowledge and skills that can help students pursue any academic or career aspirations. Collaborate on research with our Chinese Studies professors.
Juwen Zhang teaching in a classroom.

Curriculum

Explore the history, religion, mythology, and art of China. Our Chinese minor course list includes classes covering many aspects of Chinese culture. Study modern Chinese values and politics as well as classical Chinese beliefs and practices.

  • CHNSE 254 Folklore and Identity

    Examine various issues of identity through folklore practices in East Asia with a focus on China. Topics include language, ethnicity, myth and ritual, rites of passage, festivals, popular culture, folk arts, and Chinese/Asian American folklore and identity.

  • CHNSE 352 Rites of Passage in Chinese Societies

    Study the rites of passage practiced by the Chinese in and outside China. The rites of passage include the life-cycle rituals of birth-marriage-death, seasonal festivals, and other types like the rite of "firsts." Chinese ritual symbols like bell, flute, pig, and cloud will be analyzed.

Program Requirements

Students pursuing a Chinese Studies minor will need to complete 20 semester hours in Chinese studies courses. These courses will be comprised of at least four language semester hours at or above the 300 level and at least eight culture semester hours at any level.

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Admissions Information

Our Chinese Studies minor is open to first-year students, transfer students and international students. Learn more about Willamette’s undergraduate admissions process to get started.

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FAQs

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Chinese Studies