Inside China: Culture, Communication & Society offers an interdisciplinary and practice-oriented minor focusing intercultural communication, Chinese language development, and global collaboration. The minor addresses the question of how communication can be effectively organized across cultural, linguistic, and societal boundaries by integrating language learning, cultural analysis, and digital media production.

The minor is structured into two independent 15‑EC modules (Part 1 in Block 3 and Part 2 in Block 4). Students may enroll in Part 1 in one module or complete both modules for the full academic and cultural trajectory, including an optional summer camp with the Confucius Institute Maastricht.

 What makes this minor unique?

 1. Real-life Intercultural Communication & Digital Media Engagement

Students explore key themes such as museums and cultural heritage, urban life, public space, sustainability, and contemporary Chinese society. Students design and produce cross-cultural digital media content such as short videos, interviews, and communication messages. Projects are developed in collaboration with native-speaking teachers and external partners. This hands-on component strengthens students’ confidence, creativity, and ethical cross-cultural communication competence.

 2. Language Component (HSK-aligned)

The language track follows a personalized learning approach. Students join the Chinese language (HSK) courses offered by CIM according to their motivation, goals, and proficiency level. The program supports progression toward an official HSK examination at the end of the second module. This certification enhances their international profile and opens doors for future academic or professional pathways involving China. Language learning focuses on functional communication, pronunciation, and vocabulary for everyday and professional contexts.

 3. Mindset & Professional Attitude Component

The minor emphasizes a “can‑do” mindset, resilience, responsibility and initiative-taking, qualities highly valued in international careers. Students also develop holistic and systemic thinking skills, enabling them to understand intercultural challenges in broader societal, political, and ecological contexts. They document their learning process in a portfolio and reflect on their intercultural development, communication strategies, and collaboration experiences.

 AI-Supported Learning

An innovative aspect of the minor is its integration of AI tools e.g. Doubao, KIMI, ChatGPT, and Gemini. Students co-design their own AI-supported learning pathways. They learn to use AI critically and ethically to support vocabulary development, content ideation, feedback processes, and intercultural analysis. The use of AI is explicitly addressed in learning tasks and assessment criteria.

 Assessment & Collaboration

Learning outcomes are assessed through a project-based portfolio including digital media products, reflective presentations, and an HSK language test. The minor is developed in cooperation with the Confucius Institute Maastricht. The optional summer camp offered by this partner is extracurricular and not part of the formal assessment or credit structure.

Upon completing this minor, students will be able to:

• Communicate confidently and effectively in intercultural settings involving Chinese language, values and worldviews.

• Apply basic to intermediate Chinese language skills (aligned with HSK levels) in structured professional and everyday communication tasks.

• Analyze and interpret key aspects of Chinese culture, media, and contemporary societal challenges.

• Develop entrepreneurial communication concepts for international audiences by identifying communication needs and translating them into culturally adaptive media solutions.

• Design and produce cross-cultural digital media content with native speakers, demonstrating audience awareness and ethical communication practices.

• Critically evaluate and purposefully use AI-based learning tools (e.g. Doubao, KIMI, ChatGPT, Gemini) to support language learning, media production, and intercultural analysis.

• Reflect on personal professional development, “can‑do” attitude supported by holistic and systemic thinking in global cooperation contexts.

Target groups: all study programmes

Participation in minor Inside China part 1 is required.

Workshops with practical cases, language teaching flipped classroom concept (tailored to HSK), guest lectures by international experts, guided self-study with AI learning tools, feedback sessions with fellow students, reflective learning activities.

Contact hours spread throughout the week during the day.

Number of contact hours (total minor):   80 (+/-) per block

Portfolio-assessment, 12 EC, weighting 80%, minimum 5,5: Portfolio of assignments and end presentation incl. reflection.

HSK Chinese Language test, 3 EC, weighting 20%, minimum 60% of total points of HSK test.

Participating institutions: Confucius Institute Maastricht