You will find this program unlike others you have seen at other universities.  There are no beginning language classes, nor is there any study of literature for its own sake. If you plan to study Chinese at MIIS, you need to complete, at least, two years of college-level Chinese. We have one main Chinese professor, who has a combined academic background in language pedagogy and social science. You will find course content related to your graduate studies, such as business, economy, and social policies.

“Monterey Model” courses that are offered to Chinese students (taught in more than one language and coming together in international meeting simulations) include: Challenges of Globalization and Current Issues in Nonproliferation.

Special courses may also be offered for the Teaching of Chinese when numbers of students mandate it.  

The Chinese Program offers the following courses. Every semester, one or two 300-level course(s) and one or two 400-level course(s) are offered. For information on current offerings contact Dr. Jin huei Dai, jinhuei.dai@miis.edu.

CS310 Conversation on Contemporary China
Develops oral skills through dialogues and discussions. Commonly used vocabulary and idioms of spoken Chinese are introduced and practiced.

CS 315 Business Chinese

Designed to build business and economic vocabulary in Mandarin Chinese up to a level necessary for business professionals in corporate and diplomatic settings. Focuses on drills, exercises and tasks to strengthen four skills in business Chinese, such as conducting a business encounter, composing resume, developing interview skills, writing a project proposal, briefing, authentic business news, and fieldwork interview experiences, etc. Introduces components pertinent to issues of business, financial and economic news in China and Taiwan: business culture, business case studies, booming green business, information industry, stock exchange, and local enterprises etc. The primary goals of this course include: developing four skills, practicing business and economic vocabulary, increasing awareness of grammar, developing habits of reading and listening to business and financial news in Chinese, and conducting tasks for working professionals. This course also has a hybrid online component. Prerequisite: Intermediate or above language proficiency level as determined by placement and oral exams.

CS320 Texts on a Changing China

and writing modern Chinese. Emphasizes comprehension of texts and correct usage of vocabulary and sentence structures. Uses traditional and simplified character texts.

CS325 Modern Chinese

Modern Chinese expository prose. Further development of sentence structure and vocabulary in the social and political sciences.

CS360 Journalistic Chinese

Modern Chinese newspaper headlines and news items. Emphasizes comprehension and vocabulary development of special terms and current expressions used in the news.

CS440 Thought and Society

Explores the development of Chinese intellectual thought in the 20th century and its impact on modern Chinese society. Emphasizes understanding and presenting abstract topics.

CS345 Modern Chinese II - News and Media

This course integrates edited news in the textbook and updated authentic materials that correspond to the theme discussed. It also incorpoates listening components of Chinese commercials, movies, and news excerpts. Students will be able to conduct news report, professional presentations, and narrate the global events. The course also adds an one-on-one 20-minute individual session every Tuesday and as a result the course will only last for 10-11 weeks.

CS475 Challenges of Globalization

A Monterey Model course that focuses on improving students’ reading, writing, and public speaking ability through learning tasks and projects, and expanding students’ content knowledge on globalization and localization.

CS480 Business Chinese

Studies business terminology, structure of trade organizations, and documents on economic policies. 

CS 484 Human Right and Human Trafficking in China

An advanced level course for professional students who wish to focus on content-based language instruction that incorporates the Monterey Way. This course aims to develop awareness and conventions of language use on issues of human right and human trafficking in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, and further building relevant vocabulary and grammar development in the field. Assignments include writing weekly essay and grammar exercises, compiling monthly newsletter (group work), professional oral presentations, conducting fieldwork interview and writing a 12-15 page of analytic research paper in Chinese. Prerequisite: CS 345 or above language proficiency level as determined by placement written exam and oral interview. This course also has an accompanied online site.

CS488 China and the World Economy

A course that examines the impact of China’s development on the world economy.

CS49X Special Topics on China’s Political, Economic, and Social Development

These are content-based language courses that focus on improving students’ language skills through learning tasks and projects, and expanding students’ content knowledge on China’s political, economic, and social policies and developments. For example:

CS499 Current Issues in Nonproliferation (Spring 2008)

A Monterey Model course that focuses on improving students’ reading, writing, and public speaking ability through learning tasks and projects, and expanding students’ content knowledge on nonproliferation.

CS510 Cognition in Chinese Language and Culture (Spring 2008)

You say "GREAT WALL" , I say "LONG"!