Beginning Business Chinese II

Catalog description

This course is a continuation of Beginning Business Chinese I and is the second course of a two-semester sequence. By completing both semesters, students will fulfill Wharton's undergraduate foreign language requirement. This course is designed for those wishing to improve their language skills in a business setting, as well as an understanding of Chinese social development since 1976. The emphasis is on correct pronunciation, accurate tones and mastery of basic grammatical structures. The main focus is on speaking and listening, reading, typing with minimal handwriting. Upon completion of this course, students are expected to be able to converse and interact with people in a variety of business traveling settings and company visits. Topics include meeting people, talking about family, introducing companies, making inquiries and appointments, visiting companies, introducing products, initiating dining invitations and practicing dining etiquette. Culture is a critical component of this course. Through active exploration of Chinese social and cultural norms, students will develop an understanding of Chinese cultural products, practices and perspectives, as well as Chinese interpersonal behavioral culture to communicate across ethnic, cultural, ideological and national boundaries. An additional goal of this course is for students to develop cross-cultural competence in order to function successfully in professional Chinese environments.