Cal State L.A. Offers New B.A. Degree in Chinese

The Department of Modern Languages and Literatures at California State University, Los Angeles announces a new Bachelor of Arts degree in Chinese being offered this Fall Quarter 2002.

This new B.A. in Chinese will provide students who are interested in language, linguistics, literature, and culture with the skills necessary to teach in secondary schools, to work in intercultural businesses, or to pursue graduate studies in higher education.

The degree curriculum covers a wide range of subjects, including Chinese language, film, prose, fiction, nonfiction, drama, poetry, intellectual thought, and civilization. Courses are designed to address the needs of nonnative and heritage speakers of Chinese. Further proficiency in the language can be acquired through the CSU International Program and learning opportunities in the local Chinese communities.

Chinese language majors can also benefit from enjoyable learning activities on campus, such as the annual Chinese Poetry Recitation Contest, the Guest Lecture Series, and special educational programs from China. Last year, members of the Chinese Olympic gymnastics team visited Cal State L.A.

According to Qingyun Wu, coordinator of the Chinese B.A. Program at Cal State L.A., the teaching of Chinese in local elementary and secondary schools has stimulated student interest in Chinese at the university level. Cal State L.A.—a college with a large and rapidly growing Chinese student population—is an ideal setting for students to fulfill this academic aspiration. The University is also conveniently located near several Chinese communities in the neighborhoods of Chinatown, Alhambra, Monterey Park, El Monte, Pasadena, and San Marino.
Mr. Major Tsai, chairman of Ideal Reality, recently presented the Chinese Studies Center at Cal State L.A. a $500 scholarship that will be awarded annually to a student who is pursuing a B.A. degree in Chinese. Tsai has been supporting student scholarships, guest lectures, and the annual Chinese poetry recitation contests at Cal State L.A. for over a decade. Additionally, Ms. Monique Wu, president of the Association for Chinese Cultural and Ethical Education in American, will be contributing a $200 scholarship per year.

For more information on earning a B.A. in Chinese, contact Hildebrando Villareal, chair, Department of Modern Languages and Literatures, Cal State L.A., (323) 343-4230, or Qingyun Wu, coordinator, Chinese B.A. Program, Cal State L.A., at (323) 343-4242.

Contact: Carol Selkin, Media Relations Director, (323) 343-3044