An experiential, hybrid research methods course

In this off-campus course, we will conduct academic research to explore the topics of trade, diplomacy and development in China. Students from both MIIS and Middlebury will work with the three professors to develop project ideas before the program, including designing appropriate research methodology such as interviews, surveys, statistical analysis, and other methodologies with assistance from the Meta Lab at MIIS. Next, we will all travel to Beijing, where top scholars will workshop our research ideas, and then travel to research sites in teams consisting of at least one professor and a team of MIIS and Middlebury students. Interpreters from the MIIS Translation and Interpretation (T&I) program will travel with each team to assist with language issues, which will also be a way for students to improve their language skills. At each site, the team will conduct fieldwork using the methodologies developed on campus. Students will have the option of incorporating their original research into an independent study project, senior thesis, or Masters thesis upon their return to campus next Fall, and working with the professors to publish a series of articles.