Chinese
Bennion
Center
9
Average
Class Size
Courses
Getting Started
- Take CHIN 1010 - Beginning Mandarin Chinese I
- If you have prior experience, take the Chinese Placement Test before classes start or report your AP Chinese score to your Academic Advisor
Making Progress
- Run a degree audit every semester to track your progress
- Complete WLC 2010 or 2020 for an introduction to the Chinese Major
- Meet with a WLC Advisor to plan your WLC Practicum Signature Experience
- Take Chinese literature or calligraphy classes in English to get a step ahead
- Combine your Chinese language major with a related area of study such as Business or Asian Studies
Finishing Up
- Complete your WLC Practicum Signature Experience to see where Chinese can take you!
- Meet with a WLC advisor for a smooth graduation experience
Community
Getting Started
- Join Chinese Corner, our Chinese language club
- Check out the U's Confucius Institute
- Live on campus in a Theme Community e.g. the Go Global Floor or the O.C. Tanner Humanities House
Making Progress
- Become a leader in Chinese Corner
- Help fellow students plan their language degrees by becoming a Peer Advisor
- Schedule a consultation with an Involvement Ambassador to find your personalized path
- Join the Bennion Center Scholars Program or complete a Saturday Service Project related to your studies
- Take courses with a small student cohort and build positive peer relationships by becoming a LEAP Scholar
Finishing Up
- Take CHIN 3940 to connect with the Chinese community in SLC
- Present your volunteer experience at a campus conference
Knowledge & Skills
Getting Started
- Explore classes in other departments to supplement your language education and focus your long-term goals
- Find tutoring options at the Learning Center
Making Progress
- Complete a local, national, or global language internship in Chinese through the Hinckley Institute or Crimson Projects to discover career opportunities and widen your network
- Internship partners include Young Professionals in Foreign Policy, the Asian Chamber of Commerce, China U.S. Commercial Service, and more
Finishing Up
- Take the HSK (Chinese Proficiency Test) or HSKK (Chinese Speaking Test) at the Confucius Institute Chinese Test Center to earn an internationally recognized proficiency score
Transformation
Getting Started
- Join the Bennion Center First Year Service Corps for volunteer opportunities
- Apply for Chinese scholarships with the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid
Making Progress
- Study Intensive Chinese Language Abroad; WLC department professors lead groups of U of U students to Tianjin, China
- Experience excursions in addition to classes on the Tianjin Program to important cultural heritage sites such as the Great Wall of China
- Our Tianjin program covers one year of language classes in one summer
- Scholarships available from the Learning Abroad Office
Finishing Up
- Finalize your Learning Portfolio and share your college accomplishments with employers
- Submit a speech to deliver at the commencement ceremony
Impact
Getting Started
- Attend a Hinckley Forum to learn about local and global issues
- Find events on the University Events Calendar related to your interests
- Attend a MUSE Casual Friday
Making Progress
- Register for a service-focused Alternative Break through the Bennion Center
- Become a Bennion Center Student Leader to promote volunteer opportunities in Chinese
- Explore Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute programs to start a business venture and use your Chinese skills to expand it
- Tutor beginner students in Chinese through the Learning Center
Finishing Up
- Help prospective students plan and prepare for the U experience by becoming an Admissions Office University Ambassador
- Complete an Alumni Bennion Summer Fellowship
Careers
Getting Started
- Activate and customize your Handshake account to explore jobs, internships, and career events
- Take a Career Course (HUM 3960, CSBS 2700, UGS 1950) to explore career options
Making Progress
- Make an appointment with a Career Coach to help you explore potential careers that align with your strengths, values, interests, and personality
- Attend our Career Fairs and Expos (check out employers beforehand in Handshake!)
- Secure a part-time job or internship in an industry of interest through Handshake
- Activate your Forever Utah account to connect with alums and learn about their careers
Finishing Up
- Refine your resume and cover letters at the Career Studio
- Practice interviewing and salary negotiations with a Career Coach
Start Your Career Journey
Find support at the Career and Professional Development Center (CPDC)
About the Major
The Department of World Languages and Cultures provides an in-depth look at multiple languages and cultures. If you are interested in expanding your worldview and knowledge of the diverse world you inhabit, then one of our 10 majors is a great fit for you! There are 8 majors that focus on language -- Chinese, French, French Teaching, German, Japanese, Russian, Spanish, and Spanish Teaching -- and 2 majors that focus on culture -- Classics and Religious Studies. Within any of these majors, you'll further your understanding of other cultures, which in turn refines your critical thinking, writing, and communication skills across any language. You will have the opportunity to engage with literature, film, history, music, various aspects of popular media, and other arts to develop a comparative perspective on your own culture, language, values, history, and traditions. This inter-cultural understanding will help prepare you to engage intelligently and sympathetically with multiple peoples and nations across the world, opening the door to plenty of opportunities across diverse professions. The Department of World Languages and Cultures is committed to preparing you to contribute globally in all areas of social, cultural, business, and political interaction. You will become a more productive and empathetic citizen of Utah, the USA, and the world.
Learning Outcomes
- Develop cultural competency in a culture(s) of your choice.
- Gain broad knowledge and comprehension of the literature, history, geography, art, architecture, philosophy, religions, etc. of the region(s) in which a target language is spoken.
- Learn to apply critical analysis to cultural artifacts, particularly texts, in a chosen culture(s) and across cultures.
- Communicate knowledge effectively both in a chosen language(s) and one's own native language.
Plan & Prepare
At the U, we plan for our students to have an exceptional Educational Experience identified by four broad categories we call the Learning Framework: Community, Knowledge & Skills, Transformation, and Impact. This major map will help you envision, explore, design, and plan your personalized Exceptional Education Experience with the Learning Framework at the core. In addition to assisting you in planning your coursework and navigating the requirements of your major, this map will help you incorporate other kinds of experiences to expand your knowledge, support your development, and prepare you for the future you want.