About the Chinese Division
The Chinese Division of Hunter College is the only B.A. program in Chinese Language and Literature at the City University of New York. Established in 1967 as a division of the Department of Classical and Oriental Studies, the program offers a comprehensive program in Chinese (Mandarin) language and literature and in Chinese culture and literature in English translation. The Chinese Division currently has about 100 majors and about 500 students are enrolled in our courses every semester. Many of our graduates have gone on to earn higher degrees in education, business, law, international relations, and Chinese language, literature and history.
Courses in the Chinese language are offered at the elementary (100), intermediate (200), and advanced (300) levels. Courses in Chinese literature are offered at the 300 and 400 levels. Students who wish to enter the language program beyond the first term of the elementary level must consult the Chinese Division for placement. Courses taught in Chinese literature in English translation are designed for students who have no knowledge of the Chinese language. The division also provides two semesters of Chinese culture taught in English. These English translation courses have no Chinese language prerequisites and are open to all students.
Chinese language courses may be used to fulfill the foreign language requirement (Category III). Literature courses in Chinese as well as in English translation may be used to fulfill the literature requirement (Category IV, Part 2). The requirement for humanities and the arts (Category V, Group 3) may be fulfilled by the Chinese culture courses.