Please note:

To view the Spring 2025 Academic Calendar, go to www.sfu.ca/students/calendar/2025/spring.

Chinese Studies

Certificate

This certificate is for students who aim to develop language competency in and cultural understanding of the Chinese language and society. The program offers language courses up to the intermediate level that can build a solid foundation of all aspects in Mandarin Chinese language as well as communicative competences in everyday settings. Furthermore, the program affords opportunities for students to explore and expand their interests and studies in topics related to China through offering a variety of elective courses across departments and faculties.

Admission Requirements

There are no specific admission requirements. To declare your Chinese studies certificate, please contact the World Languages and Literatures Advisor at wll_adv@sfu.ca.

Program Requirements

Students complete a minimum of 18 units, of which nine are earned by completing three required core courses. The remaining courses are selected from the list of electives below. A minimum of the two thirds of the total units (equivalent to 12 units) used toward the certificate must be completed at Simon Fraser University.

Core Courses

Students complete a total of nine units, including

two 100-level and one 200-level CHIN language courses

(Students placed in courses higher than the 100- or 200-level may seek approval to use those courses as substitutions for the core language courses.)

Electives

Students need to complete a total of nine units, chosen from the following

GA 202 - Studies in Global Asia (3) *
GA 302 - Selected Topics in Global Chinese Studies (3)
GA 400 - Selected Topics in Global Asia (3) *
BUS 431 - Business with East Asian Countries (3) *
CHIN 210 - Mandarin Chinese IV (3)
HIST 254 - China to 1800 (3) or HIST 255 - China since 1800 (3)
HIST 366 - Social and Cultural History of Modern China (4)
HUM 203 - Great Texts: Asian Thought and Literature (3) *
HUM 204 - Great Religious Texts (3) *
HUM 330 - Religions in Context (4) *
HUM 331 - Asian Religious Traditions (4) *
SA 275 - China in Transition (SA) (4)

With prior permission from the departmental advisor, students may count other China-related courses which do not appear on this list. Consult with the program advisor.

* when the topic is China related. Consult the program advisor.

Transfer Credit

A maximum of six transfer credit units of 100 division language courses (only CHIN 100 and/or CHIN 110; CHIN 190, and/or CHIN 191) may be used toward this certificate. Such requests must be submitted to the departmental advisor.

Course Challenge Credit

A maximum of six challenge credit units of 100 division language courses (only CHIN 100 and/or CHIN 110; CHIN 190, and/or CHIN 191) may be used toward this certificate. Such requests must be submitted to the departmental advisor.