Chinese is the most widely spoken first language in the world, and the unique writing system provides insights on how Chinese conceptualize the world around them. China also boasts outstanding literature from classical to modern poetry, plays, and fiction. Studying Chinese language and literature will deepen your understanding of China, whether you are interested in imperial courts or contemporary business.

A Sampling of Courses

Elementary Chinese
Chinese

An intensive introduction to the fundamentals of the language and culture with emphasis on developing conversational skills such as pronunciation.

CHIN 103
Modern China through Fiction and Film
Asian Studies

How do film and literature inform our understanding of the evolving concepts of art, ideology, and material conditions in modern China? How have literary and cinematic representations changed over the last century to accommodate and facilitate social transformations? What are the characteristics of the cultural productions from mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan?

ASIA 205
Gender and Sexuality in Modern Chinese Literature and Culture
Asian Studies

This course examines Chinese literary and cultural practices related to gender and sexuality from the turn of the twentieth century to the present. Using primary texts in translation, theoretical works, films, and visual materials, students explore the personal and collective politics involved in constructions of gender, sexuality, desire, and identity.

ASIA 237
Advanced Chinese
Chinese

Emphasis on developing reading and writing skills in addition to conversational practice. Students read and discuss materials from Chinese newspapers, magazines, and modern literature. Students write short essays in simplified Chinese characters.

CHIN 301
Modern Chinese Literature in Translation
Asian Studies

This course surveys the four major modes of Chinese literature from the early 20th century to the present: realism, modernism, socialist realism, and postmodernism. Themes of modernity, nationalism, gender, class, and identity are explored through primary texts. The course emphasizes rhetorical, formal, and aesthetic critiques of literature.

ASIA 208

Contact

Yanbing Tan
Visiting Assistant Professor of Chinese

yatan@sewanee.edu

Gailor Hall 216, Ext 3367

See all Faculty & Staff

News & Event

7th Annual International Karaoke Night

7:30 PM
Bishops Common Hearth Room

Start practicing now! Join us for a night of fun, music, and prizes. Come sing in the language that you are studying. Contact Helen Stapleton at hfstaple@sewanee.edu to get you and your song on the roster.

Details

Stop Asian Hate

7:30 PM
Convocation Hall

Please join us Monday evening as faculty and students discuss the recent rise in hate crimes and bias incidents against Asians and Asian-Americans across the US. In addition to celebrating and standing in solidarity with our Asian and Asian-American community, panelists will touch on how to be allies and make our community a more welcoming place for all. 

Zoom Link

International Carnival Photo Contest

6:00 PM

Post your best photo from Carnivals past on our Photo Contest Wall by March 20. We will vote and award prizes on March 24. Include a caption in both English and in the language you are studying.

 

In many parts of the world, some form of Carnival is celebrated, combining Christian and pre-Christian traditions indigenous to the region. This celebration goes by many names: Maslenitsa Масленица in Russia; Mardi Gras in the Francophone world; Carnaval in Spain/Latin America, Carnevale in Italy, Fasching in Germany-to name a few. Common threads include celebrating the end of winter darkness, sometimes parades, often outrageous costumes, role reversal, consuming pancakes, or marking the beginning of Lent.  We include the Lunar New Year in this category since it honors the end of winter and the return of the light.

Details

Lantern Festival Concert with Wu Fei

7:00 PM

Join us for an evening of music and conversation with Nashville-based artist, Wu Fei, who plays the guzheng, a traditional Chinese instrument.  All are encouraged to join in Zoom Room # 817 160 1654.

Sponsored by The Performing Arts Series, Asian Studies, Campus Activities, Asian House, and the Office of Global Citizenship.

Spring 2021 Tutoring, Table, and Yoga Schedule

View the tutoring schedule. Find out how to join the weekly virtual Chinese Language Table, and learn when the Language Resource Center offers Chinese Yoga.

Details

Lunar New Year 2021

3:30 PM

Come to the Asian House (next to Johnson Hall on University Ave) to celebrate the Year of the Ox by playing games and drinking boba tea

6th Annual International Karaoke Night

9:00 PM
Cravens Hall

Students gathered at Cravens Hall for the The 6th Annual International Karaoke Night on Saturday, October 24.  It was a little different from past International Karaoke Nights when students sang live in front of a panel of judges and an audience.  Instead,  they submitted videos of themselves singing in the language that they are studying.  The videos representing Chinese, French, German, Latin, Russian, and Spanish were screened at the event, and students and faculty were able to view the videos and vote online in person or remotely.

The winners were:
1st Place: Olivier Mbabazi with "Le chant des sirènes" by Fréro Delavega (French)
2nd Place: Channita Keuk & Emily Eyrich with "I Like you so much, You'll Know it" by Wang Jun Qi (Chinese)
3rd Place: Dr. Kahnke’s German 312 with "Ti Amo" by Howard Carpendale (German)

 

Details
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Connecting the Dots

Language Houses
Themed Residence Halls

To create an immersive learning experience, Sewanee has several language houses (French, German, Russian, Spanish, and Italian) that simulate real-world language and cultural encounters. The head resident is a native speaker, and students speak their house language while “at home". Events throughout the year showcase educational and recreational aspects of the language house and the culture it represents.

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International & Global Studies, Major & Minor
45 professors, 14 departments

International & global studies at Sewanee stretches far beyond the gates. Involving faculty members from departments across the College, the program spans disciplinary and thematic boundaries. The rapid pace and complex nature of our world require dexterity to navigate. At Sewanee, you will study the ever-changing political, economic, and cultural issues that characterize our world today. Here, experiencing the real world begins in the classroom.

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Study Abroad
Engaged citizens solving global problems

At Sewanee, we pledge to offer each student an opportunity to study abroad. And at Sewanee, we keep our promises. Travel, learn, and cultivate your knowledge by communicating across cultures and acquiring a sensitivity to other ways of life. Apply social scientific methodologies to various frameworks. Learn to formulate solutions to global problems and apply those theories at home in a local context.

More about Study Abroad