CHIN5160 - Beginning Business Chinese I

Along with Beginning Business Chinese II, this is the first course in a two-semester sequence. By completing both semesters, students will fulfill Wharton's undergraduate foreign language requirement. The sequence begins each fall semester. This course is designed to introduce students with little or no prior exposure to Mandarin Chinese to beginning-level business Chinese. Throughout this course, students will develop listening, speaking, reading, and writing/typing skills, with a primary emphasis on listening and speaking in Mandarin-speaking business contexts. This will be achieved by acquiring basic vocabulary and expressions related to business activities, such as visiting companies and making appointments. Furthermore, students will also be exposed to useful expressions for everyday life in China, including greetings, introductions, and navigating daily situations. The course places a strong emphasis on culture, considering it a critical component. Students will actively explore Chinese social and cultural norms, fostering an understanding of Chinese cultural products, practices, perspectives, and interpersonal behavioral culture. This knowledge equips students to communicate effectively across ethnic, cultural, ideological, and national boundaries. An additional objective of this course is to help students develop cross-cultural competence, enabling them to navigate and succeed in professional Chinese environments.