Chinese Language and Cultures Major Requirements

The Chinese Language and Culture major provides a comprehensive, humanistic education in one of the world's richest and oldest cultural traditions. Our curriculum balances intensive modern and classical language training with deep exploration of Chinese literature, film, popular culture, philosophy, and linguistics—all situated within both historical and modern global contexts.

Whether you are starting Chinese from scratch or building upon prior learning or native/heritage language skills, this major equips you with advanced communication skills, critical thinking, and a profound global perspective.

🗺️ Want a visual guide? Check out our Chinese Languages & Cultures major map to explore year-by-year timelines, academic planning, and career opportunities.

Major Overview

• Total Units Required: 44–58 units (minimum of 48 units must be completed for the major).
• Minimum Grade: Prerequisites must be completed with a letter grade of C or higher. Upper-division courses require a minimum GPA of 2.0.
• Language Placement: If you have prior experience with Chinese, you must take the Online Language Placement Exam.

Major Requirements

1. Prerequisites (14 Units)

Must be completed with a letter grade of C or higher.

• CHINESE 1A & 1B (5 units each): Elementary Chinese (or higher level course based on placement)
• CHINESE 7A or 7B (4 units): Introduction to Chinese Literature & Culture (Note: These introductory courses are taught in English and must be taken at UC Berkeley)

2. Lower-Division Requirements (14 Units)

Minimum of 3 letter-graded courses.

• CHINESE 10A & 10B* (5 units each): Intermediate Chinese
• CHINESE 7A or 7B (4 units): Introduction to Chinese Literature and Culture (Take whichever course you did not take as a prerequisite)

3. Upper-Division Requirements (28–30 Units)

Minimum of 7 letter-graded courses.

• CHINESE 100A & 100B* (5 units each): Advanced Chinese
• CHINESE 110A & 110B (4 units each): Introduction to Literary Chinese
• Modern Chinese Literature Course (4 units): Choose one course from the CHINESE 150–159 range.
• EALC Electives (8 units total): Two courses offered by the EALC department (including courses under prefixes: CHINESE, EALANG, JAPAN, KOREAN, or MONGOLN).

⚠️ *Important: Placement & "Placing Out" of Language Courses

If you have prior experience with Chinese (including high school study or speaking it at home), you cannot self-place. You must take the department's placement exam.

If the placement exam allows you to skip (place out of) lower-level language classes (such as Chinese 1A/B, 10A/B, or 100A/B):

• You are not exempt from the 44-unit minimum requirement for the major.
• Instead, you will substitute those language classes with advisor-approved literature, linguistics, or culture courses offered by the department.

🌍 Outside Coursework & Study Abroad

You can take up to two related courses from another UC Berkeley department, through study abroad or transfer credit to count toward your major requirements, subject to advisor approval.

👉 Submit an Outside Course Approval Request Online

🚀 Next Steps: How to Declare

1. Need help developing a program plan or ready to Declare? Schedule a major declaration appointment with our Undergraduate Major Advisor.
   👉 Book with Cassandra via Calendly
2. Questions about Placement or Enrollment? If you have questions about language exams or are having trouble enrolling in restricted Chinese classes, please contact our Language & Enrollment Coordinator:
   📧 Presi Diaz

Honors Program

Chinese Language and Culture majors may complete a two-semester Honors Program during their senior year, culminating in a senior honors thesis. This is a unique opportunity to conduct deep, independent research under the direct mentorship of our faculty.

Eligibility Requirements

• Major GPA: 3.5 or higher
• Overall GPA: 3.3 or higher

The Thesis & Grading Process

• Independent Study (H195A, H195B): You will work closely with a faculty thesis supervisor over two semesters to research and write your thesis.
• Grading Committee: Your completed thesis will be evaluated and graded by a three-member committee. This includes your thesis supervisor and two other faculty members (whom you and your supervisor will select together).
• Honors Levels: Based on the committee's evaluation of your thesis, there are three levels of departmental honors you can earn:
  • Honors (cum laude)
  • High Honors (magna cum laude)
  • Highest Honors (summa cum laude)

How to Get Started

1. Develop a Topic: Brainstorm a potential research area and draft a basic proposal.
2. Find an Advisor: Reach out directly to the faculty member you would like to work with to discuss your project.
3. Enroll in Honors Courses: 
   1. First Semester H195A
   2. Second Completion Semester H195B

Questions: Connect with our Undergraduate Major Advisor.