Deepen your knowledge of all things Chinese, lighting the way to abundant careers in today’s global age. You’ll master spoken and written Mandarin systems with guidance from Carthage’s Target Language Experts — native Chinese speakers who bring energy and authenticity to their classes. You’ll also be steeped in the culture, politics, religion, and economy of China and broader East Asia. Majors also study in China for at least a semester.
Carthage offers a major and minor in Chinese. Students who study Chinese at Carthage will enjoy small classes, individualized attention, and a program centered on helping students achieve their personal and professional goals.
Beginning courses focus on the spoken language and are usually taught by native Chinese speakers. Students are exposed to the cultures of Chinese-speaking countries from the first day of their first Chinese course.
The Chinese program at Carthage goes beyond mastering the language. It is a four-year program with curriculum courses in Chinese history, film, politics, culture, and Asian religion.
Faculty from various academic departments at Carthage regularly lead study tours to China. Students of all majors can study the country’s incredible history, growing economy, and rich culture. Modern language majors are also required to spend at least one full semester abroad.
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<img src="/live/image/gid/37/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,280,1170,1448/36393_4861_163701665847155.rev.1668707554.jpg" alt="Maya Zenner" width="183" height="183" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/37/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,280,1170,1448/36393_4861_163701665847155.rev.1668707554.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/37/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,280,1170,1448/36393_4861_163701665847155.rev.1668707554.jpg 3x" data-max-w="1170" data-max-h="1168" loading="lazy"/>
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</div><div class="blockquote__content"><div class="blockquote__quote"><svg aria-hidden="true" class="icon icon-round-left-quote" width="48" height="33"><use xlink:href="#icon-round-left-quote"/></svg><p> “I chose Carthage primarily because of its <a href="/admissions/undergraduate-students/small-classes-big-deal/">size</a> and the <a href="/academics/majors-minors/">majors</a> offered here. I came from a very small high school, so Carthage’s size made it a very easy transition. The smaller class sizes appealed to me as well, as I feel that I can better get my questions answered quickly. The beautiful view of <a href="/about/location-and-map/lake-michigan-photography/">Lake Michigan</a> also helped!”</p></div><footer class="blockquote__footer"><span class="blockquote__author"><a href="/live/profiles/2170-">Maya Zenner</a> ’25</span></footer></div></blockquote></div>
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<img src="/live/image/gid/32/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/139,80,272,213/420_MatijaSimic.rev.1638389814.jpg" alt="" width="183" height="183" data-max-w="133" data-max-h="133" loading="lazy"/>
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</div><div class="blockquote__content"><div class="blockquote__quote"><svg aria-hidden="true" class="icon icon-round-left-quote" width="48" height="33"><use xlink:href="#icon-round-left-quote"/></svg><p> “My favorite Carthage moment is walking into my first Chinese class and introducing myself to everyone. It made me feel like I finally found my place and didn’t have to worry about what others thought.”</p></div><footer class="blockquote__footer"><span class="blockquote__author"><a href="/live/profiles/464-matija-simic">Matija Simic</a> ’23</span></footer></div></blockquote></div>
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<img src="/live/image/gid/72/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/88,495,1825,2232/36018_Lorin_Bucur_26.rev.1665690123.jpg" alt="Lorin Bucur in front of Machu Picchu, picture for student voices profile." width="183" height="183" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/72/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/88,495,1825,2232/36018_Lorin_Bucur_26.rev.1665690123.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/72/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/88,495,1825,2232/36018_Lorin_Bucur_26.rev.1665690123.jpg 3x" data-max-w="1737" data-max-h="1737" loading="lazy"/>
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</div><div class="blockquote__content"><div class="blockquote__quote"><svg aria-hidden="true" class="icon icon-round-left-quote" width="48" height="33"><use xlink:href="#icon-round-left-quote"/></svg><p> “My 8-year-old self was a nerd who always had her head in books — I am sure she’d be insanely surprised to see that I am pursuing a career outside of ‘Librarian Studies.’”</p></div><footer class="blockquote__footer"><span class="blockquote__author"><a href="/live/profiles/2094-">Lorin Bucur</a> ’26</span></footer></div></blockquote></div>
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<img src="/live/image/gid/32/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,2400,3200/35147_IMG_3841.rev.1660748364.jpg" alt="Lily Lourigan ?25" width="183" height="183" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/32/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,2400,3200/35147_IMG_3841.rev.1660748364.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/32/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,2400,3200/35147_IMG_3841.rev.1660748364.jpg 3x" data-max-w="2400" data-max-h="3200" loading="lazy"/>
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</div><div class="blockquote__content"><div class="blockquote__quote"><svg aria-hidden="true" class="icon icon-round-left-quote" width="48" height="33"><use xlink:href="#icon-round-left-quote"/></svg><p> “I received the Modern Language Scholarship for Chinese. This scholarship means everything to me since I would not be attending Carthage without it.”</p></div><footer class="blockquote__footer"><span class="blockquote__author"><a href="/live/profiles/1805-lily-lourigan">Lily Lourigan</a> ’25</span></footer></div></blockquote></div>
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<source type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/gid/24/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,612,792/33037_Laura-Xiu-Hung-24.rev.1643922764.webp 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/24/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,612,792/33037_Laura-Xiu-Hung-24.rev.1643922764.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/24/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,612,792/33037_Laura-Xiu-Hung-24.rev.1643922764.webp 3x"/>
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<img src="/live/image/gid/24/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,612,792/33037_Laura-Xiu-Hung-24.rev.1643922764.jpg" alt="Laura Xiu Hung ?24" width="183" height="183" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/24/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,612,792/33037_Laura-Xiu-Hung-24.rev.1643922764.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/24/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,612,792/33037_Laura-Xiu-Hung-24.rev.1643922764.jpg 3x" data-max-w="612" data-max-h="792" loading="lazy"/>
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</div><div class="blockquote__content"><div class="blockquote__quote"><svg aria-hidden="true" class="icon icon-round-left-quote" width="48" height="33"><use xlink:href="#icon-round-left-quote"/></svg><p> “My classmates and professors make the environment fun and engaging, which really benefits my learning. Carthage professors are clearly passionate about the subjects they teach, and it’s easily reflected in the students’ learning.”</p></div><footer class="blockquote__footer"><span class="blockquote__author"><a href="/live/profiles/1511-laura-xiu-hung">Laura Xiu Hung</a> ’24</span></footer></div></blockquote></div>
courses you’ll take
All classes offered by the Modern Languages Department are taught in Chinese. Courses from other departments that count toward the major are taught in English. Here’s a sampling:
During the weekly Chinese Lunch Table, students chat in Chinese with each other, professors, Target Language Experts, and international students from China.
Chinese Club
Chinese Club is a student-run organization that hosts meetings and events for students interested in China. Expand your knowledge of China and its culture outside of class. International students from China are regular and integral members of the club.
Field Trips
The Chinese program organizes field trips every semester to locations like Chinatown and the Chinese American Museum of Chicago. Experience first-hand cultural practices, tea ceremonies, Chinese cooking, and calligraphy demonstrations.
China, which has the second-largest economy in the world, is on the rise. Chinese, spoken by 1.3 billion people, is the second largest language (next to English) in the world. Studying Chinese language and culture leads to jobs as Chinese teachers; interpreters for governments, business companies, and hospitals; translators for publishers and magazines; or English teachers in China. It also serves as an entry point to a business career.
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