Courses

The associate in arts degree in Mandarin Chinese at DVC will provide students with skills in understanding, speaking, reading and writing Mandarin Chinese. The curriculum exposes students to Chinese culture and civilization and provides foundational skills in language that can apply to a broad range of international and domestic career opportunities and professions. The degree will provide lower division preparation for transfer to UC, CSU and other four year colleges and universities to earn a bachelor's degree.

The DVC Mandarin Chinese major is intended for transfer. Students who intend to transfer must consult with a program advisor or counselor to ensure that the requirements for transfer to baccalaureate-granting institutions of their choice are met.

Students who intend to transfer are advised to select General Education Option 2 (IGETC) or Option 3 (CSU GE). Option 1 (DVC General Education) is appropriate for those students who do not intend to transfer. Students may not take a pass/no pass option for major courses and each of the major requirements must be completed with a "C" grade or higher.

Certain courses may satisfy both major or and general education requirements; however, the units are counted only once. Students must complete the 20 units of major requirements, which will provide students with the essential grammar of the language and culture of China.

CHIN-120 (First Term Mandarin Chinese)

Course Description

CHIN-120 FlyerThis beginning Chinese course emphasizes pronunciation drill, sentence pattern analysis and development of language skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Character reading and writing are introduced. Cultural material and information are used extensively in this course.

About this course:

  • 5 units SC
  • 90 hours lecture
  • CSU, UC transferrable]
  • Create a Chinese business card.
  • Write a standard note.
  • Discuss complex aspects of Chinese culture and tradition.
  • Combine Chinese pronunciation and complicated words to make complex statements.
  • Comprehension more complex grammatical structures.
  • Contextualization of vocabulary and idioms.
  • Improve comprehension of detailed conversation.
  • Write compositions using Pinyin system and Chinese complicated words appropriately.

Course Materials

 

CHIN-121 (Second Term Mandarin Chinese)

Course Description

CHIN-121 FlyerA continuation of CHIN-120 for verbal and written purposes. Use of original Chinese characters is introduced at the sentence and the paragraph level. Students will be familiarized with both simplified and original writing systems. Cultural topics may include education, family, and daily life. Writing skills will be emphasized. The proficiency level should develop to a basic survival level. 

About this course:

  • 5 units SC
  • 90 hours lecture
  • CSU, UC transferrable
  • Create a Chinese business card.
  • Write a standard note
  • Discuss complex aspects of Chinese culture and tradition.
  • Combine Chinese pronunciation and complicated words to make complex statements.
  • Comprehension more complex grammatical structures.
  • Contextualization of vocabulary and idioms
  • .Improve comprehension of detailed conversation.
  • Write compositions using Pinyin system and Chinese complicated words appropriately.

 

 CHIN-220 (Third Term Mandarin Chinese)

Course Description

CHIN-220, 221 FlyerThis is a third term intermediate course, the continuation of CHIN-121, with a review of grammar. The student will develop fluency in understanding, speaking, reading and writing Chinese. The uses of the six basic functional components of the Chinese sentence are expanded and new vocabulary and idiomatic expressions are introduced. Selected readings about Chinese culture and literature will be explored. This course is taught entirely in original Chinese characters, and students may use either Chinese written system to develop their knowledge and ability. 

About this course:

  • 5 units SC
  • 90 hours lecture
  • CSU, UC transferrable 
  • Recommended: CHIN-121 or equivalent
  • Write intermediate level compositions comparing and contrasting Chinese cultures based on the analysis of articles, films and short stories.
  • Achieve a greater knowledge of Chinese culture and literature through reading and analysis of short stories and articles on Chinese life and culture.
  • Interpret Chinese Tang dynasty poems and cultures
  • Demonstrate an intermediate command of complement of time, quantity, and resultant construction
  • Extend and participate in intermediate level conversations concerning daily situations.
  • Expand their command of passive and active vocabulary, with an emphasis on idioms.
  • Refine pronunciation and diction.
  • Oral practice of grammatical structures.
  • Refine and improve listening comprehension.
 CHIN-221 (Fourth Term Mandarin Chinese)

 Course Description

This course is the continuation of CHIN-220 to develop fluency in all aspects of the Chinese language with particular attention to literary forms as reflected in the contemporary Chinese world. This course reviews grammar and develops reading and writing skills in Chinese. Passages from Chinese literature and readings about Chinese culture will be studied. Computer skills in Chinese will be introduced.

About this Course:

  • 5 units SC
  • 90 hours lecture
  • CSU, UC transferrable 
  • Recommended: CHIN-220 or equivalent
  • Employ advanced level use of idioms and dialectical expressions.
  • Demonstrate advanced level written and spoken comprehension.
  • Demonstrate appreciation of Chinese culture and literature.
  • Discuss major historical events of China.
  • Utilize elements of Chinese grammar and syntax including use of verbs, types of complements, and word formation methods.
  • Demonstrate advanced written language skills.
  • Demonstrate advanced spoken language skills.
  • Employ the Chinese language with Chinese people.