Ohio Wesleyan University

What you'll study

This programme blends advanced Chinese language instruction with courses in linguistics, literary history, genre studies and cultural studies. You will progress from foundational and intermediate language courses to advanced spoken and written Chinese, while studying Chinese literature in translation and in the original language when ready. Typical areas of study include modern and classical Chinese literature, sociolinguistics of Chinese, phonology and syntax, literary theory and criticism, film and media in Greater China, and courses on religion and philosophy as they relate to literary traditions.

Programme structure emphasises small seminar-style classes, practical language labs, and a senior capstone or research project. Students often take modules such as:

• Elementary to Advanced Chinese — intensive skill-building in listening, speaking, reading and writing;
• Introduction to Chinese Linguistics — fundamentals of sound systems, morphology and syntax in Chinese varieties;
• Modern Chinese Literature — study of 20th- and 21st-century fiction, poetry and drama;
• Classical Chinese Texts — selected readings and approaches to pre-modern literature and textual interpretation;
• Translation and Interpretation — practice in translating literary and non-literary texts between Chinese and English;
• Film, Media and Culture — analysis of contemporary cultural production across Greater China;
• Senior Capstone or Independent Research — sustained research project under faculty supervision, often incorporating language-based analysis or original translation.

Students are encouraged to complement the major with electives in history, East Asian studies, political science, anthropology, or computer-assisted text analysis depending on interests. Study abroad and internship opportunities in Chinese-speaking regions are strongly encouraged to develop linguistic fluency and cultural competence.

Entry requirements

Applicants should present a secondary-school diploma or equivalent with a strong record in humanities coursework and evidence of academic writing ability. Typical admissions expectations include a competitive academic transcript and a personal statement outlining interest in Chinese language and literature.

International applicants whose first language is not English will need to demonstrate English proficiency through accepted tests or other evidence, unless exempt. Prior study of a foreign language is helpful but not always required; beginners may be admitted into the language sequence, while students with prior Chinese study may place into higher-level courses based on placement testing.

Departmental advising or an interview may be recommended for students wishing to pursue honours-level research. Transfer applicants should provide college transcripts and syllabi for language and literature courses for assessment of course credit.

Career prospects

Graduates with a Chinese Linguistics and Literature background move into a wide range of careers that value language proficiency, critical thinking and cross-cultural communication. Common pathways include:

• Teaching and Education — K–12 language teaching, tertiary-level instruction or educational administration (additional certification may be required for K–12).
• Translation and Interpretation — literary and commercial translation, simultaneous or consecutive interpretation, localisation work.
• International Affairs and Government — diplomacy, intelligence, policy analysis and international development roles where China-region expertise is sought.
• Publishing, Media and Communications — editing, journalism, content development and cultural programming focused on Chinese-language material.
• Business and Nonprofit Sectors — roles in international business, NGOs and cultural organisations that require language skills and regional knowledge.
• Graduate Study and Research — further study in linguistics, comparative literature, East Asian studies or law.

Many students also gain practical experience through internships, study abroad placements and collaborations with faculty on research that enhance employability in specialised fields.

Why study at Ohio Wesleyan University

Ohio Wesleyan University offers a liberal-arts environment with small classes and close faculty mentorship, which is well suited to language learning and supervised research. The university’s Modern Languages and related departments emphasise intensive language instruction, cross-disciplinary links and opportunities for undergraduate research.

Students benefit from accessible faculty who supervise independent projects and capstone theses, as well as resources such as language labs and campus cultural programming. OWU supports off-campus study and internships—options that allow students to develop real-world Chinese language skills through immersion. The college setting fosters collaborative learning across disciplines, preparing graduates with both linguistic competence and the critical-analytical skills valued by employers and graduate programmes.