Chengdu Courses – 2026-27 Yearlong

USAC Course Descriptions

Click the course title to view course details, description and availability. To request a course syllabus: syllabus@usac.edu

• Advanced Chinese I

  Fall

  Chinese 300-level 3 credits Taught in Chinese

  Spring

  Chinese 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

• Advanced Chinese II

  Fall

  Chinese 300-level 3 credits Taught in Chinese

  Spring

  Chinese 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

• Advanced Chinese III

  Fall

  Chinese World Languages and Literatures 400-level 3 credits Taught in Chinese

  Spring

  Chinese World Languages and Literatures 400-level 3 credits Taught in Chinese

  This course is for the third-year students of modern Chinese language and the equivalent (i.e. those who have completed studying of basic Chinese language at elementary and intermediate level).

  Prerequisite: six semesters of college-level Chinese, or equivalent

• Advanced Chinese IV

  Fall

  Chinese 400-level 3 credits Taught in Chinese

  Spring

  Chinese 400-level 3 credits Taught in Chinese

  This course is for the third-year students of modern Chinese language and the equivalent (i.e. those who have completed studying of basic Chinese language at elementary and intermediate level).

  Prerequisite: seven semesters of college-level Chinese, or equivalent

• Ancient Chinese History

  Fall

  History 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

• China's Ethnic Groups: Cultures, Societies, Economies

  Spring

  Anthropology Sociology 300-level 3 credits Taught in English

  Students will learn to apply social science methodologies to topics related to Chinese ethnic groups, societies, the economy, and cultures. Students will focus on religious and cultural diversity within communities in southwestern China. The course is scheduled to include guest lecturers to discuss topics such as migration, intercultural communication, development, and Aboriginal experiences in Taiwan and Canada. The course also includes a field trip to a museum, which will be free for students enrolled in the course.

• Chinese Calligraphy and Painting

  Fall

  Art Art History 200-level 3 credits Taught in English

  Spring

  Art Art History 200-level 3 credits Taught in English

  We’re excited to introduce this new course option as course details are being finalized. Please check back after 1/15 for full course details.

  This course has an additional fee

• Chinese Economy

  Fall

  Economics 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

• Chinese Literature in Movies: From the Beginning to 1949

  Spring

  Chinese World Languages and Literatures 200-level 3 credits Taught in English

  This course teaches Chinese literature from a very specific perspective, movies. Many masterpieces of Chinese literature have been adapted into movies. Moreover, there are also films representing lives of outstanding Chinese writers and the eras when they lived and composed. Therefore, movies and films can be a very intensive and integrated approach for students to learn and understand Chinese literature. Based on the history of Chinese literature, this course will firstly draw a survey of the development of Chinese literature from its beginning to 1949. Then, important literary works and distinguished writers will be highlighted by more careful analysis. On this level, reading of literary works and other references are required and indispensable; meanwhile, related movies and films will be introduced into class too. Discussions towards both the literary works and movies will be encouraged. By this means, the final target of this course is to help students to establish a more comprehensive command of Chinese literature.

• Chinese Popular Culture

  Fall

  Anthropology Chinese Sociology 200-level 3 credits Taught in English

  This course focuses on Chinese popular culture from the twentieth century to the present day. From the arrival of Jazz and cinema in China to the global influence of Chinese video games and social media, you'll explore how traditional Chinese elements interact with modern innovations to shape a dynamic and evolving cultural landscape. Beyond the trends, this course also explores the power of intercultural communication in understanding China’s global cultural footprint. Discover how cultural exchanges, stereotypes, and misunderstandings influence the way Chinese pop culture is consumed worldwide and learn how to engage in meaningful cross-cultural dialogue.

• Chinese Traditional Medicine

  Fall

  Anthropology Community Health Sciences 400-level 3 credits Taught in English

  Spring

  Anthropology Community Health Sciences 400-level 3 credits Taught in English

  We’re excited to introduce this new course option as course details are being finalized. Please check back after 1/15 for full course details.

• Elementary Chinese I

  Fall

  Chinese World Languages and Literatures 100-level 4 credits Taught in Chinese

  Spring

  Chinese 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.

• Elementary Chinese II

  Fall

  Chinese World Languages and Literatures 100-level 4 credits Taught in Chinese

  Spring

  Chinese 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

• Environmental Sustainability in China

  Fall

  Environmental Science Geography 300-level 3 credits Taught in English

  Spring

  Environmental Science Geography 300-level 3 credits Taught in English

  We’re excited to introduce this new course option as course details are being finalized. Please check back after 1/15 for full course details.

• Food and Culture

  Fall

  Anthropology Nutrition 300-level 3 credits Taught in English

  Spring

  Anthropology Nutrition 300-level 3 credits Taught in English

  We’re excited to introduce this new course option as course details are being finalized. Please check back after 1/15 for full course details.

• Government and Politics in China

  Spring

  Political 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

• Intermediate Chinese I

  Fall

  Chinese 200-level 3 credits Taught in Chinese

  Spring

  Chinese 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

• Intermediate Chinese II

  Fall

  Chinese 200-level 3 credits Taught in Chinese

  Spring

  Chinese 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

• Level 4 HSK Examination Preparation

  Fall

  Chinese 400-level 1 credit Taught in Chinese

  Spring

  Chinese 400-level 1 credit Taught in Chinese

  This course focuses on a general introduction to the HSK exam, including Chinese language grammar, listening, speed-reading skills, expanding students’ vocabulary, and becoming familiar with the different types of test questions.

  Prerequisite: five semesters of college-level Chinese, or equivalent

• Modern Chinese History

  Spring

  History 400-level 3 credits Taught in English

  This course will cover topics related to Chinese history, from the beginning of the Qing dynasty to the present. We 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 China.

  Prerequisites: one semester of college-level history, or equivalent

• Modern Chinese Society

  Fall

  Chinese 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

• Religion and Philosophy in China

  Fall

  Philosophy Religious Studies 300-level 3 credits Taught in English

  Spring

  Philosophy Religious Studies 300-level 3 credits Taught in English

  We’re excited to introduce this new course option as course details are being finalized. Please check back after 1/15 for full course details.

• Sichuan Cuisine

  Fall

  Spring

  Coming Soon!

  This workshop has an additional fee.

  This workshop requires a minimum enrollment of five students to run.

• Tai Chi

  Fall

  100-level 1 credit Taught in English

  Spring

  100-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

• Tibetan Culture and Society

  Fall

  Anthropology History Sociology 400-level 3 credits Taught in English

  This course will cover topics related to the history and structure that emphasizes the relationship between Tibetan Buddhism or Lamaism and Tibetan Culture. Tibetan Buddhism has shaped its politics, economy, identity, education, and society as central Tibetan civilization. Students will explore how Tibetan culture became a global phenomenon and analyze globalization's impacts on Tibetan culture.