The minor in Chinese Studies offers students the opportunity to extend their study of China and the Chinese Language beyond the Humanities and Arts Requirement. The Chinese Studies minor involves completing 2 units of courses that include intermediate or above Chinese language courses (or equivalent) and content classes on Chinese history, philosophy, religion, women, society, and culture. Native speakers of Mandarin are not eligible to take Chinese language courses at WPI, but they can pursue the Chinese Studies minor through content courses.
WPI policy requires that no more than one unit of course work can be double counted toward other degree requirements. Thus, students may count three courses taken to fulfill other degree requirements (such as the Humanities and Arts Requirement or Social Sciences) toward the minor, provided that one unit of classes taken for the minor does not double-count for another degree requirement. In practical terms, this means that students can apply up to a total of 3/3 units from China-related classes used for their HUA Requirement and/or 1/3-unit from ID2050 taken for an IQP Center in China or the Chinese diaspora (Hangzhou, Hong Kong, Taipei, Singapore), for their Chinese Studies minor provided the total does not exceed 3/3 unit.
Students who fulfill their HUA Requirement through the Chinese language track, can take 3 additional courses from the content course list below or enroll in the Taiwan HUA Center to complete their Chinese Studies minor.
Students who are native speakers of Chinese or who demonstrate their language proficiency through consultation with Prof. Wen-Hua Du, can pursue the Chinese Studies minor by completing 2 units (6/3) of content courses from the list below (excluding courses with the CN prefix).
Students interested in pursuing the minor should speak with Professor Jennifer Rudolph to chart out their minor and to make sure their paperwork is complete.
Program Distribution Requirements for the Chinese Studies Minor
Students must demonstrate a level of Chinese proficiency of at least CN 2543 or its equivalent. A total of two units (six courses) are required for the minor degree requirement as outlined below.