Spring 2026 - CHIN 291 B100
Heritage Mandarin Chinese IV (3)
Class Number: 2719
Delivery Method: Blended
Overview
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Course Times + Location:
Jan 5 – Apr 10, 2026: TBA, TBA
Burnaby
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Instructor:
Cynthia Xie
cxie@sfu.ca
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Prerequisites:
CHIN 290 or permission of the course instructor.
Description
CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:
A continuation of CHIN 290. Students further develop communicative competence in Chinese language, as well as a deeper understanding of Chinese culture through course materials on Chinese history, mythology and folktales. This course is for heritage language learners who have solid oral-aural competencies in Chinese (Mandarin or other dialects), but basic knowledge of written Chinese.
COURSE DETAILS:
This course is a continuation of CHIN 290. Building upon the foundation laid by previous courses, this course continues to develop students’ communicative competence in Chinese, with an emphasis on reading and writing. Students will understand and be able to use more complicated grammar structures, idiomatic expressions, and gain more sophisticated skills of composition. Through readings in Chinese history, mythology and philosophy, students are also expected to gain deeper understanding of Chinese culture.
The course has two major components in its delivery: 1) 2 hours per week of in-class tutorial, which includes grammar concept review, text analysis, and cultural topic discussion and presentation; 2) asynchronous online learning component, which covers independent vocabulary and grammar learning, individual reading and writing practice, and group communication activities. The asynchronous online learning takes approximately six to eight hours per week. Students need a computer and internet access to use SFU Canvas for online learning.
CHIN 291 may be applied towards the Chinese Studies Certificate and the Global Asia Minor.
Grading
- Class Participation 8%
- Assignments 24%
- Reading and vocabulary quizzes 12%
- Lesson tests 30%
- Composition 12%
- Projects 14%
NOTES:
Grading scale
A+ = 96-100 B+ = 83-86 C+ = 70-74 D = 50-59
A = 91-95 B = 79-82 C = 65-69 F = 0-49
A- = 87-90 B- = 75-78 C- = 60-64
Materials
REQUIRED READING:
Course materials will be available on the CHIN 291 Canvas site.
RECOMMENDED READING:
Li, D, Liu, I., Liu, L., Wang, H., Wang, Z and Xie, Y., A Primer For Advanced Beginners of Chinese (simplified character version) Vol. Two, Columbia University Press, 2004. ISBN 0-231-13567X
Li, D, Liu, I., Liu, L., Wang, H., Wang, Z and Xie, Y., A Primer For Advanced Beginners of Chinese (traditional character version) Vol. Two, Columbia University Press, 2004. ISBN 0-231-12557-7
REQUIRED READING NOTES:
Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.
Registrar Notes:
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS
At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.
To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit:
- SFU’s Academic Integrity Policy: S10-01 Policy
- SFU’s Academic Integrity website, which includes helpful videos and tips in plain language: Academic Integrity at SFU
RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION
Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.