Augustana offers a 20-credit minor in Chinese, and a related major in Asian studies. We are one of only a few colleges in the U.S. to offer four full years of Chinese language instruction in addition to Chinese culture.
A minor in Chinese includes one year of beginning language study, two years of higher-level study of Mandarin Chinese, plus courses on Chinese culture, cinema, history and art. See also the major in Asian studies and minor in linguistics.
Because of China’s great influence on the global economy and environment, politics, the arts and more, study in Chinese is a smart combination with just about any other academic program at Augustana or career choice you might make for your future.
Our program and ties to China began nearly 50 years ago, when Augustana students and professors first started traveling together to East Asia.
Intercultural competence
Understand real and imaginary similarities and differences. Use more than one perspective to view issues.
Disciplinary knowledge
Gain a deep understanding of your subject and how it connects to other subjects.
Communication competence
Read and listen carefully. Express ideas (writing or speaking) suited to the audience.
Ethical citizenship
Examine and embrace your strengths, passions and values. Develop ethical convictions and act on them.
Intellectual curiosity
Set yourself up for lifelong intellectual growth. Take responsibility for your own learning.
• Augustana is a founding member of AsiaNetwork, and was among the first U.S. colleges to re-establish ties with China in the 1970s.
• The faculty are native speakers who specialize in Chinese language, media, pop culture, art and art history.
• Students of any language are strongly encouraged to study abroad, taking advantage of Augustana’s many opportunities. Augie Choice provides every student $2,000 for a standout learning experience, and many use it for travel expenses. Students of Chinese will be especially interested in:
– an internship and study program at East China Normal University in Shanghai
– a semester of language immersion or business and social sciences at Peking University in Beijing
– a semester or annual exchange with Lingnan University in Hong Kong
• Augustana grants especially meant for study abroad include the $1,000 IOP Passport Grants and Freistat Center Grants (amounts vary) for language and cultural studies.
• Augustana’s student and faculty exchange program with Huazhong Normal University in China, begun in 1988, allows seniors or recent graduates to study Mandarin Chinese and teach English for one year on the campus in Wuhan.
Katrina Rodriguez '21 is a material replenishment specialist at John Deere in Davenport, Iowa.
Lauren Amella ’20 is the web marketing coordinator at CrowdStrike in Chicago.
Jake Schoeck ’19 is an associate attorney at BrownWinick in Des Moines, Iowa.
Camilo Duarte ’17 works in bilingual regional marketing at One Medical in Atlanta, Ga.
Elise Cather '17 is a regional sales manager-Europe at Audley Travel in Boston, Mass.
Emily Stanevicius ’16 is an adjunct professor at Central China Normal University in Wuhan, Hubei, China.
Aubrey Waddick ’16 is a policy analyst at the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission in Washington, D.C.
Abby Lange '15 is brand manager at Kung Yik Co., Ltd. in Taipei City, Taiwan.
Daisy Hoang ’14 is senior vice president of sales and success at Katalon in Ho Chi MInh City, Vietnam.
“I never thought I’d study history or Chinese. I thank my professors and advisors Dr. Brian Leech, Hua-Mei Chang and Dr. Jen-Mei Ma for encouraging me.”Read More
“I loved being able to expand people's horizons and expose more people to the Chinese language program!”Read More
“I want to thank Chinese professor Hua-Mei Chang and Japanese professor Mari Nagase for stimulating my interest in East Asian languages and cultures.”Read More
Dr. Elizabeth Lawrence, associate professor of history and co-chair, Asian studies, and Dr. Xiaowen Zhang, professor of political science, led a three-week J-term course in China. Dr. Lawrence shares the historical significance of Augustana students traveling in China — again.
Huazhong (Central China) Normal University in Wuhan recently hosted a celebration of the 36th anniversary of the signing of its teacher exchange agreement with Augustana College. Professor Emeritus of Geography Dr. Norm Moline ’64, who attended the 1988 agreement signing, was part of the Augustana delegation at the celebration.
Around the country, about 25% of college students double major. At Augustana, it’s much higher — 53.4% of the Class of 2020 had double or triple majors. What are the advantages?
