Chengdu Courses – 2025 Summer Sessions I & II
Studying abroad can be a more meaningful and invigorating learning experience than at home—both inside and outside of the classroom. You may be more curious and alert than you usually are so use this heightened energy to enhance your studies as well as your cultural and geographical explorations. You may also encounter different teaching styles and course processes; be prepared to adapt and to learn.
Courses
You may take three to seven credits during each session. At least one 3-credit course is required each session you are enrolled. Course availability is contingent upon student enrollment and is subject to change.
Click the course title to view course details, description, and availability.
Chinese Language Studies
Summer language courses are intensive, with one to four credits of Chinese taught in each session. Language courses have a maximum enrollment of 12 students each. You are required to take a Chinese language or conversation course appropriate to your level to help you to assimilate into the community. Higher levels are available for advanced speakers.
Session I
- Summer Session I100-level 1 credit Taught in English and ChineseSummer Session II100-level 1 credit Taught in English and Chinese
This course is for beginner Chinese language learners who are interested in improving their language skills to function in a Chinese speaking society. Subjects and themes for each session are specifically designed to accommodate the needs of visiting students and the vocabulary words reflect what students are likely to encounter in daily life. Students will focus on speaking and listening comprehension. Students are expected to actively participate in class activities.
- Summer Session IChinese World Languages and Literatures 100-level 4 credits Taught in Chinese
This introductory course in Modern Standard Chinese (Mandarin) language is designed for beginners of Chinese study. It aims to develop the student’s functional language ability—the ability to use Mandarin Chinese in linguistically and socially appropriate ways. Emphasis is laid on training students in the four language skills, namely, listening, speaking, reading and writing, where speaking takes the lead. Various classroom activities, teacher-guide or students-centered, such as questions and answers, roll playing, pattern skills, dialogues, and oral presentations, provide the opportunity to practice speaking and listening.
- Summer Session IChinese 200-level 3 credits Taught in Chinese
This course is for the third-year students of the modern Chinese language and the equivalent (i.e., those who have completed primary Chinese language at the elementary and intermediate level). This course is designed to develop further the students’ listening comprehension, speaking skills, grammar, reading and writing proficiency in Chinese. Various activities - discussions, oral presentations, conversions - will provide the opportunity to practice speaking and listening. Class participation is therefore essential. In addition, outside classroom activities such as shopping, going to a restaurant, interviewing people according to the given topics are included.
Prerequisite: two semesters of college-level Chinese, or equivalent
- Summer Session IChinese 300-level 3 credits Taught in Chinese
This course is for the third-year students of the modern Chinese language and the equivalent (i.e., those who have completed primary Chinese language at the elementary and intermediate level). This course is designed to develop further the students’ listening comprehension, speaking skills, grammar, reading and writing proficiency in Chinese. Various activities - discussions, oral presentations, conversions - will provide the opportunity to practice speaking and listening. Class participation is therefore essential. In addition, outside classroom activities such as shopping, going to a restaurant, interviewing people according to the given topics are included.
Prerequisite: four semesters of college-level Chinese, or equivalent
- Summer Session IChinese World Languages and Literatures 200-level 3 credits Taught in ChineseSummer Session IIChinese World Languages and Literatures 200-level 3 credits Taught in Chinese
Chinese Conversation is designed to help students navigate in a Chinese speaking society. Subjects and themes will be tailored to facilitate the needs of visiting students, and vocabulary study will reflect what students are likely to encounter in daily life. Complete understanding of the brief grammar section will be paramount to a student’s success. However, it will still primarily emphasize speaking and listening comprehension. Study of written Chinese will be limited to what will be necessary for students to engage themselves in daily life.
Prerequisite: two semesters of college-level Chinese, or equivalent
Session II
- Summer Session I100-level 1 credit Taught in English and ChineseSummer Session II100-level 1 credit Taught in English and Chinese
This course is for beginner Chinese language learners who are interested in improving their language skills to function in a Chinese speaking society. Subjects and themes for each session are specifically designed to accommodate the needs of visiting students and the vocabulary words reflect what students are likely to encounter in daily life. Students will focus on speaking and listening comprehension. Students are expected to actively participate in class activities.
- Summer Session IIChinese World Languages and Literatures 100-level 4 credits Taught in Chinese
This introductory course in Modern Standard Chinese (Mandarin) language is designed for beginners of Chinese study. It aims to develop the student’s functional language ability—the ability to use Mandarin Chinese in linguistically and socially appropriate ways. Emphasis is laid on training students in the four language skills, namely, listening, speaking, reading and writing, where speaking takes the lead. Various classroom activities, teacher-guide or students-centered, such as questions and answers, roll playing, pattern skills, dialogues, and oral presentations, provide the opportunity to practice speaking and listening.
Prerequisite: one semester of college-level Chinese, or equivalent
- Summer Session IIChinese 200-level 3 credits Taught in Chinese
This course is a continuation of Intermediate Chinese I and is designed to further develop the students’ listening comprehension, speaking skills, reading and writing proficiency in Chinese. New grammar points will be introduced, and selected grammar points are reviewed during class sessions. Various activities - discussions, oral presentations, conversions - will provide the opportunity to practice on speaking and listening, class participation is therefore essential.
Prerequisite: three semesters of college-level Chinese, or equivalent
- Summer Session IIChinese 300-level 3 credits Taught in Chinese
This course is for the third-year students of the modern Chinese language and the equivalent (i.e., those who have completed primary Chinese language at the elementary and intermediate level). This course is designed to develop further the students’ listening comprehension, speaking skills, grammar, reading and writing proficiency in Chinese. Various activities - discussions, oral presentations, conversions - will provide the opportunity to practice speaking and listening. Class participation is therefore essential. In addition, outside classroom activities such as shopping, going to a restaurant, interviewing people according to the given topics are included.
Prerequisite: five semesters of college-level Chinese, or equivalent
- Summer Session IChinese World Languages and Literatures 200-level 3 credits Taught in ChineseSummer Session IIChinese World Languages and Literatures 200-level 3 credits Taught in Chinese
Chinese Conversation is designed to help students navigate in a Chinese speaking society. Subjects and themes will be tailored to facilitate the needs of visiting students, and vocabulary study will reflect what students are likely to encounter in daily life. Complete understanding of the brief grammar section will be paramount to a student’s success. However, it will still primarily emphasize speaking and listening comprehension. Study of written Chinese will be limited to what will be necessary for students to engage themselves in daily life.
Prerequisite: two semesters of college-level Chinese, or equivalent
Chinese Culture Studies and International Relations
The following courses are designed to familiarize you with the region and provide a multi-disciplinary perspective to your studies.
Session I
- Summer Session IArt 200-level 2 credits Taught in English
This course introduces the historical and practical aspects of the art of Chinese Calligraphy, one of the oldest traditional arts in China. Through the use of a writing brush, Chinese calligraphy expresses the writer’s learning and cultivation, thoughts and feelings, and character and ideology through the changing movements of dots and lines creating the unique artistic form of Chinese characters. Through hands-on practice, students will learn basic techniques, develop foundational skills in brushwork, stroke order, composition, and various fonts and their usage.
This course has an additional fee
- Summer Session IEconomics General Business 400-level 3 credits Taught in English
Students will apply theories to various Chinese economic policies and complete a historical examination of China’s economic development with a special emphasis on its varying development strategies, and its prospects. This course is designed to create a space for students to discuss and debate difficult topics within economic development and Chinese economic policies.
Prerequisites: Introductory-level economics or economic theory course recommended
- Summer Session IPolitical Science 400-level 3 credits Taught in English
This course is designed for students to expand their knowledge of the government and politics of China while developing analytical and research writing skills. It will provide a comprehensive understanding of the Chinese society from 1949 to the present (concentrate on after the Open and Reform Policy). Chinese history, culture, social and political system will be introduced in this class. Methodology includes introduction, discussions, analysis, comparison, and seminars.
Prerequisite: Introductory college-level political science or research writing course
Session II
- Summer Session IIHistory 400-level 3 credits Taught in English
This course will cover topics related to Chinese history, from the origination of Chinese civilization to the early 1600s. Students will examine the evolution and development of different ethnic groups and the tradition, culture, philosophical thoughts, political organizations, social structures, economic situations, religious practice, and foreign relations in ancient China.
Prerequisites: one semester of college history
- Summer Session IIChinese 200-level 3 credits Taught in English
Students will evaluate Chinese culture and society by means of a descriptive and analytic survey of chosen topics. While focusing on the cultural and social mainstream of contemporary China, the course also presents and analyzes various historic events, legends, traditions, ancient philosophies, religions and social norms in a sociological and economic perspective so as to enable students to have a better understanding of the evolution of and interactions between the Chinese culture and society.
Field trips to museums and theatre of Sichuan opera are part of the course.
Major topics include but are not limited to the following:
• Social Norms as Reflected in the Chinese Characters
• Taoism, Buddhism, Confucianism and Their Influence on the Chinese Culture and Society
• Chinese Ethnic Minorities
• Education in China
• Sex, Marriage and Family Life in China, Today and the Past
• Family Plan and Birth Control
• Cultural Revolution
• China’s Economic Reform and Opening Up Policies
• Holidays and Traditional Festivals: Their Folkloric Origin and Modern Impacts
- Summer Session II100-level 1 credit Taught in English
Taiji (Tai Chi) is also known as a form of “Kongfu,” a traditional Chinese art form and exercise. It is also believed to cultivate Yin and Yang. Zhang Sanfeng and Wang Zongyue are two famous scholars in China who theorized on the benefits of Taiji on the mind, body, and spirit.
This course has an additional fee
To request a course syllabus: syllabus@usac.edu
Workshops
(Not for credit)
- Summer Session ISummer Session II
Coming Soon!
This workshop has an additional fee.
This workshop requires a minimum enrollment of five students to run.