The Chinese language is one of the oldest in the world. Modern Chinese is the only language in the world that can trace its writing form to its origins. Today, Chinese is one of the most commonly spoken languages of the world, and one of the six official languages of the United Nations. After China began its openness and reform in the late 1970s, Chinese has become increasingly important in the worldwide process of globalization. In the US, the study of Chinese is entering the curricula of colleges and universities at a fast pace. Despite all this, Chinese language and culture are still among the least known and poorly understood traditions in the West.
The Rhodes Chinese Program is dedicated to helping all interested students learn Chinese and gain knowledge about Chinese culture and society. As an interdisciplinary program, it provides a curriculum that teaches Mandarin Chinese from elementary to advanced levels, introduces students to the richness and breadth of Chinese language, history, philosophy, politics, literature and film, and prepares students for a lifelong career or graduate work in China-related fields. The program offers both a major and a minor in Chinese studies and is also affiliated with the Department of History, the Department of International Studies, the Department of Religious Studies, and the Interdisciplinary Programs in Asian Studies and Urban Studies.
Thakkar-Freeman Chinese Studies Award
Every year, a Chinese Studies award established with funds donated by the Universal Foundry & Machine Works, Inc. and Freeman Family Foundation will be given to a Rhodes student who minors in Chinese studies. A Rhodes student who wishes to be considered for the Thakkar-Freeman Chinese Studies Award must meet the following requirements:
- He or she has already declared a minor in Chinese studies;
- The minimum GPA for all the courses taken at the college is 3.5;
- He or she has already fulfilled two thirds of the requirements for the minor, that is, two years of Chinese language and three courses of Chinese culture;
- The GPA for Chinese studies courses already taken is 3.6 or above;
- He or she has actively participated and played a key role in extracurricular activities organized by the Chinese program.
The Li Xiuying Memorial Award for Chinese Language Excellence
Every year, a Chinese Language award established with funds donated by Professor Han Li and Professor Stephen Ceccoli (International Studies) in memory of Professor Han Li’ mother, Li Xiuying (1950-2017), will be given to a Rhodes student who has demonstrated a record of Chinese language excellence at elementary and/or intermediate level. Candidates for The Li Xiuying Memorial Award must meet the following requirements:
- He or she has demonstrated a record of Chinese language excellence at elementary and/or intermediate level and great enthusiasm for the study of Chinese culture;
- The minimum GPA for all the courses taken at the college is 3.0;
- The GPA for Chinese language courses already taken is 3.5 or above.
Study Abroad
Tianjin, China Summer Program
Rhodes requires every graduate to have developed intermediate proficiency in a second language, and we want to place you in the appropriate level if you are continuing with a language you have already studied.
