The Chinese progam at UK offers a range of classes and activities to get you started on the path to learning more about Chinese language and culture.

CLASSES

Our introductory courses in Chinese culture (taught in English) are designed for students with no background knowledge of China. All readings are in English translation and there are no prerequisites.
 

• CHI 330: Intro to Chinese Culture to 1840 (every Fall)

This course introduces students to the history  and culture of early Chinese civilization. Topics include Confucianism, Daoism, and early philosophy; Buddhism and Chinese religion; Tang poetry; China’s relationship to other civilizations in Asia; the Mongol conquest; and Ming/Qing novels and vernacular literature. UK Core: Intellectual Inquiry: Humanities

• CHI 331: Intro to Chinese Culture since 1840 (every Spring)

This course introduces students to modern Chinese history, society, and culture from 1840 to the present, with a special focus on developments in the twentieth century. We will investigate how China transitioned from a multi-ethnic empire to a modern nation state and ask what modernity means in the Chinese context. UK Core: Citizenship: Global Dynamics; Intellectual Inquiry: Humanities

Our introductory courses in Chinese language are designed for students with no background in Chinese language. If you've taken a little bit of Chinese, or speak some Chinese at home, please see our placement test page for details on where you should begin Chinese at UK.

• CHI 101: Beginning Chinese I (every Fall)

First semester beginning Chinese language. This course is designed for those students interested in learning Chinese language who have no language background.

• CHI 102: Beginning Chinese II (every Spring)

Second semester beginning Chinese language. This course prepares students to advance to intermediate levels of language study in Chinese 201 or study abroad. Prerequisites: CHI 101 or equivalent.