Provisional University Bulletin (2025-2026)

• Master of Arts in Chinese Language and Culture

Brandeis University’s one-year Master of Arts of Chinese Language and Culture Program has two tracks: A. Chinese Language Instruction and B. Chinese Culture Studies. While the program prepares students of both tracks to be instructors of Chinese language and researchers of Chinese culture, Track A and Track B will respectively emphasize the pedagogical aspects of Chinese language instruction from beginning to high advanced levels, and the ability of engaging in deep research projects of Chinese culture from ancient traditions through contemporary development.

The Master of Arts of Chinese Language and Culture (MCLC) provides:

• Instruction in the theory and practice for the most effective teaching of Chinese language and culture, including class design, pedagogy, assessment, and application of high tech in classroom instruction.
• Training for advanced research in Chinese language, culture, and society in a great range of topics such as literature, history, media, religions, fine arts, politics, and anthropology.
• Chinese language and culture teaching experience under the tutelage of renowned faculty within and outside campus.

Knowledge

Both Tracks:

• Students will master the most up-to-date, efficient and effective pedagogy of teaching Chinese of various levels.
• Students will obtain deeper and more systematic knowledge of Chinese culture and understand the ways of teaching English medium courses on Chinese culture for American and other English-speaking learners.

Track A Only:

• Students will learn and apply the most important principles and theories of foreign language instruction in the United States.
• Students will improve their understanding of Chinese linguistics and the new developments in this field.

Track B Only: 

• Students will learn basic approaches and methods of Chinese culture studies. 
• Students will deepen their knowledge of writing and translation in Chinese.
• Students will become capable of independent research and other activities in Chinese culture.

Core Skills

Both Tracks:

The Program will train its students of the following skills:

• Chinese language course design
• Chinese culture course design
• Lecture class (larger class) instruction of the Chinese language
• Drill class (smaller class) instruction of the Chinese language
• Assignment and assessment (both oral and writing)
• Computerized instruction, organization of computerized class activities, and design of computerized assessments.
• Textbook and other teaching material designing and compiling
• Decoding texts of Classical Chinese

Track A Only:

• Content focused instruction in Chinese such as business Chinese
• Using corpuses of Chinese language for teaching and research
• Decoding unpublished and unedited Chinese texts in running or cursive styles

Track B Only:

• Writing high quality academic research papers in English and in Chinese
• Creative writing in Chinese
• Literary and intellectual translation (between Chinese and English)

Social Justice

The program helps its students of their track set up their career mission: to promote the mutual understanding between the West and the East by teaching Mandarin, one of the foreign languages with the most strategic significance, and by contributing to the field of Chinese culture studies to allow more American learners of the Chinese language reach true advanced proficiency with a deeper understanding of Chinese culture.

Graduate Outcomes

By completing the graduate program students will be able to:

Both Tracks:

• Demonstrate the ability to create Chinese language courses.
• Demonstrate the ability to create Chinese culture courses taught either in English or in Chinese or both.

Track A Only:

• Demonstrate excellent classroom instruction by teaching in Brandeis classrooms. Each student will be assigned to co teach at least two courses (typically one lower level and one higher level). By listening to the feedback from Brandeis faculty who observe the classes and from the language learners, students will go on improving their instruction until reaching the standard of efficient and effective Chinese instructor set by the program.
• Demonstrate research ability through an instruction focused capstone project with a topic that will be benefiting Brandeis Chinese learners and participation in national and/or regional conferences, symposiums, or webinars on Chinese instruction. 
• Demonstrate ability of teaching content courses in Chinese by participation in the instruction of Brandeis content courses in Chinese such as Chin 106b and Chin 165a, and/or in the creation of new content courses in Chinese at Brandeis.

Track B Only: 

• Demonstrate excellent research ability by composing a high quality master thesis or accomplishing a capstone project on a chosen topic related to Chinese culture and actively participating in scholarly activities in the fields of Chinese culture studies.
• Demonstrate solid classroom instruction skills in both Chinese language and culture classes.
• Demonstrate excellence in writing and translation in relation to Chinese culture.

For the undergraduate study of Chinese, please see the course listing in the Courses of Instruction below.

All the applicants should have advanced proficiency in both Chinese and English.

The general requirements for admission to the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences apply to candidates for admission to both tracks of the program.

Pu Wang, Co-Director of MCLC Program in Charge of the Culture Track
(Department of German, Russian, and Asian Languages and Literature)

Xiwen Lu, Director of the Chinese Language Program and Co-Director of MCLC Program in Charge of the Language Track
(Department of German, Russian, and Asian Languages and Literature)

Chunzi Chai, Lecturer in Chinese
(Department of German, Russian, and Asian Languages and Literature)

Jian Wei, Lecturer in Chinese
(Department of German, Russian, and Asian Languages and Literature)

Note: Other faculty of Brandeis East Asian Studies Program may serve as advisors for the Culture Track students of the MCLC Program.

Program of Study

32 credits (8 courses) are required for students of both tracks to graduate.

Required Courses:

Fall Semester

The students of both tracks of the program have the same requirements. They must take:

1. Chin 201a Chinese Pedagogy I
2. Chin 211a Chinese Practicum I
3. They should choose two 100-level courses on Chinese culture taught in English with an exception of Hist 80a Introduction to East Asian Civilization. In choosing the courses of Chinese culture, students should consult with the program directors.

Spring Semester

The two tracks will have different course requirements:

Students of Track A must take:

1. Chin 202b Chinese Pedagogy II
2. Chin 212b Chinese Practicum II
3. Chin 140a Yin Yu Tang Documents, Decoding the Late Qing and Early Republic Writings
4. They should choose a Chinese culture-related course taught in English.

Students of Track B should:

1. Choose two courses on Chinese culture or comparative culture
2. Choose one practicum course. 
3. Students of Track B can also take Independent Study with faculty members in China-related fields. Capstone project (master thesis) research and writing will count as an Independent Study course. 

Capstone Project

Students of both tracks must complete a capstone project by the end of the spring semester and the requirements for the two tracks are different.

Track A:

The capstone project can be of the following forms:

• Compiling a textbook or part of the textbook of Chinese language and/or culture instruction
• A new course design or redesigning a current course
• An app design to enhance Chinese language learning and teaching
• A research paper closely related to classroom instruction

Track B:

• The capstone project should be in the form of a high quality master thesis on a topic of Chinese culture.

Residence Requirement

One year (two semesters) in-person residency is required.

Special Note: Possible Track Switch for Students

By the last day of the fall semester, a student of the MCLC program may apply for a track switch. The two co-directors will decide to approve or reject it. No track switch applications will be accepted after this date.

CHIN 10a Beginning Chinese I

Four class hours per week.

Mandarin is taught in this intensive course, intended for students with no previous knowledge of Chinese. Class meets four days per week plus one section of individual conversation. It offers training in basic Chinese grammar, speaking, aural comprehension, reading and writing. Chinese characters, and the "pinyin" phonetic system as a tool for learning Chinese. Usually offered every fall.

CHIN 20b Continuing Chinese

Prerequisite: CHIN 10a. Four class hours per week.

Continuation of CHIN 10a. Usually offered every spring.

CHIN 29b Pathways for Chinese Literacy

For students who have significant bilingual background in Mandarin Chinese or a non-Mandarin dialect (e.g., Cantonese). Emphasizes reading and writing skills, but standard Mandarin pronunciation and grammatical structure are also stressed. Usually offered every spring.

CHIN 30a Intermediate Chinese
[ fl ]

Prerequisite: CHIN 20b or equivalent. Four class hours per week.

Development of skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing, including the writing of short essays. Usually offered every fall.

CHIN 40b Advanced Intermediate Chinese
[ fl hum oc ]

Prerequisite: CHIN 30a or equivalent. Four class hours per week.

Continuation of CHIN 30a. Usually offered every spring.

CHIN 98a Independent Study

Prerequisite: CHIN 40b or equivalent.

Usually offered every year.

CHIN 98b Independent Study

Prerequisite: CHIN 40b or equivalent.

Usually offered every year.

CHIN 100a Introduction to Chinese Literature: Desire and Form
[ hum nw oc ]

Taught in English. No Chinese language capabilities required.

Introduces Chinese literature, focusing primarily on Chinese "classical" literary traditions and their metamorphosis in modern times. Usually offered every second year.

CHIN 105a Advanced Conversation and Composition I
[ fl hum oc wi ]

Prerequisite: A grade of C- or higher in CHIN 40b or the equivalent.

Designed for advanced students who wish to enhance and improve their skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing through listening and reading authentic or slightly modified materials, discussing and writing on various topics of Chinese society and culture. Usually offered every fall.

CHIN 105b Advanced Conversation and Composition II
[ fl hum oc wi ]

Prerequisite: A grade of C- or higher in CHIN 105a or the equivalent.

Designed for advanced students who wish to enhance and improve their speaking proficiency and writing skills. Speaking skills will be developed through guided conversation, discussion of texts and films, and oral presentation. Exercises and essays will be used to improve students' writing skills. Usually offered every spring.

CHIN 106b Business Chinese and Culture
[ fl nw wi ]

Prerequisite: CHIN 40b or equivalent. Does not meet the requirement in the school of humanities.

An advanced Chinese course where students develop their language proficiency and cultural knowledge in professional settings such as the workplace. The course is conducted entirely in Chinese and is designed for students who want to sharpen their language skills and reach a higher level of proficiency in which they are able to read newspapers, magazines, or professional documents, as well as to improve their communicative ability and enhance their self-confidence in Chinese workplaces. Usually offered every second spring.

CHIN 120a Readings in Contemporary Chinese Literature: Advanced Chinese Language
[ fl hum wi ]

Prerequisite: CHIN 105a or equivalent.

For advanced students of Chinese, an introduction to contemporary Chinese short stories from the 1990s and later. Focuses on significant expansion of vocabulary and grammar, and on providing students an opportunity to develop and polish both oral and written skills through class discussion, presentations, and writing assignments. Usually offered every fall.

CHIN 120b Readings in Contemporary Chinese Literature: Advanced Chinese Language II
[ fl hum wi ]

Prerequisite: CHIN 120a or equivalent.

Continuation of CHIN 120a. Study of contemporary Chinese short stories from the 1990s and later. These stories not only represent new literary themes and linguistic expressions, but also reflect the modernization, commercialization, and urbanization that is transforming China. The course improves students' knowledge of the language, as well as enhancing their understanding of Chinese society and culture. Usually offered every spring.

CHIN 126a Advanced Conversational Chinese
[ fl hum oc ]

Prerequisite: CHIN 105b or equivalent.

For advanced students of Chinese, this course further develops their Chinese speaking proficiency in both information and formal styles. The course is conducted entirely in Chinese and is designed for students who want to improve their communicative ability in Chinese. Focuses on significant expansion of vocabularies, grammars, and genuine expressions used by Chinese in their daily life, as well as enhancing students' understanding of Chinese society and culture. Usually offered every year.

CHIN 130b China on Film: The Changes of Chinese Culture
[ hum nw ]

Taught in English. All films viewed have English subtitles.

Focuses on the enormous changes under way in Chinese society, politics, and culture. Helps students to identify and understand these fundamental transformations through a representative, exciting selection of readings and films. Usually offered every second spring.

CHIN 136b Chinese Modernism in International Context
[ hum nw ]

Taught in English.

Examines the origins, recurrences, and metamorphosis of modernistic styles and movements in twentieth-century Chinese literature, film, fine art, and intellectual discourses. Usually offered every second year.

CHIN 140a Yin Yu Tang Documents, Decoding the Late Qing and Early Republic Writings (I)
[ fl hum nw ]

Prerequisites: CHIN 120a and 120b, or proficiency of a native Chinese speaker with advanced reading and writing skills.

Teaches fundamental skills to decode the late Qing and early Republic writings in print or in hand-writing by recognizing and translating the Yin Yu Tang documents. Students of this course will also gain knowledge of Chinese society and culture of this period. Usually offered every year.

CHIN 165a Chinese for Life Science: Study of Traditional Chinese Medicinal Herbs with Contemporary Science
[ fl oc ]

Prerequisite: CHIN 105b or equivalent. Does not meet the requirement in the school of humanities.

Helps students increase Chinese proficiency in the fields of life science such biology, biochemistry, neuroscience, and medicine, especially the skills of reading life science papers in Chinese; and widens and deepens students' knowledge of life science by learning the most important discoveries of Chinese scientists in applying contemporary western science to the studies of traditional medicinal herbs. Although this course is not just limited to biology, neuroscience, or chemistry majors, good knowledge of life science will be essential to success. Usually offered every year.

CHIN 201a Chinese Pedagogy I

Required of all MCLC students.

Equips students with the most advanced and updated skills in teaching modern Chinese with an emphasis on beginning and intermediate levels. This course covers a great range of topics to ensure efficient and successful instruction. Usually offered every year.

CHIN 202b Chinese Pedagogy II

Prerequisite: CHIN 201a. Required of all MCLC students.

Continuation of CHIN 201a. Emphasizes the instruction of advanced Chinese. Two important sets of theories and practice will be introduced and discussed, the Four Subsystem Theory and Prosodic Theory. Task-based teaching on an advanced level, contents-centered textbook, and correction of advanced composition will also be discussed. Usually offered every year.

CHIN 211a Chinese Practicum I

Corequisite: CHIN 201a. Enrollment limited to MCLC students.

Students design course plans, additional reading, visual and audio materials, assignments, etc to teach the lecture and drill sessions of beginning Chinese. Class observation and student feedback are components of this class. Usually offered every year.

CHIN 212b Chinese Practicum II

Corequisite: CHIN 202b. Enrollment limited to MCLC students.

Students design course plans, additional reading, visual and audio materials, assignments, etc to teach the lecture and drill sessions of advanced Chinese. Class observation and student feedback are components of this class. Usually offered every year.

CHIN 298a Independent Study