Chengdu Courses – 2026 Summer Session I
Academics
Chengdu provides an ideal setting for advancing Chinese language proficiency through daily immersion in a city known for its approachable dialect and strong educational resources. At the same time, its historical significance as a cultural and economic hub provides rich material for examining how China’s past shapes its present. Chengdu’s dynamic contemporary arts, cuisine, and urban development make it an ideal setting to examine China’s evolving modern culture.
You may enroll in three to seven credits in Session I and three to six credit in Session II. At least one 3-credit course is required each session you are enrolled. No prior knowledge of Chinese is needed to apply, but you are required to take one Chinese language course while you are in Chengdu.
Courses Offered:
Course availability is contingent upon scheduling constraints, meeting enrollment minimums, and is subject to change. View course details and descriptions.
Courses marked with an asterisk* are taught in Chinese
Summer Session I
Chinese Language Courses
- Introduction to Chinese Language I
- Elementary Chinese I*
- Intermediate Chinese I*
- Advanced Chinese I*
- Advanced Chinese II*
Chinese Culture and Society Courses
- China's Ethnic Groups: Cultures, Societies, Economies
- Chinese Popular Culture
- Chinese Traditional Medicine
- Food and Culture
- Government and Politics in China
Non-Credit Workshops
- Sichuan Cuisine
Summer Session II
Chinese Language Courses
- Introduction to Chinese Language I
- Elementary Chinese II*
- Intermediate Chinese II*
- Advanced Chinese I*
- Advanced Chinese II*
Chinese Culture and Society Courses
- Chinese Calligraphy and Painting
- Food and Culture
- Modern Chinese History
- Modern Chinese Society
- Religion and Philosophy in China
Non-Credit Workshops
- Sichuan Cuisine
U.S. Visiting Professors
While most USAC courses are taught by local faculty, the following U.S. professor will also teach in this program:
Summer Session I, 2026
Course: Chinese Popular Culture
Ying Bao, Ph.D., University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Professor Bao is an experienced educator with a doctorate in East Asian Languages and Literature. She has been nominated for numerous teaching awards through the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and is a recipient of the William Morris Award for Excellence in Teaching. As an educator and scholar of cultural studies, Professor Bao has a strong passion for fostering cultural exploration and international understanding in and beyond the classroom.
USAC Course Descriptions
Click the course title to view course details, description and availability. To request a course syllabus: syllabus@usac.edu
- Summer Session IChinese 300-level 3 credits Taught in ChineseSummer 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: four semesters of college-level Chinese, or equivalent
- Summer Session IChinese 300-level 3 credits Taught in ChineseSummer 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 IAnthropology 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.
- Summer Session IIArt 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
- Summer Session IAnthropology 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.
- Summer Session IAnthropology 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.
- 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 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 IAnthropology Nutrition 300-level 3 credits Taught in EnglishSummer Session IIAnthropology 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.
- 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
- 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 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 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 IIHistory 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
- 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 IIPhilosophy 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.
- Summer Session ISummer Session II
Coming Soon!
This workshop has an additional fee.
This workshop requires a minimum enrollment of five students to run.