Course Description:
This course
aims to help students understand China through both classroom
learning and field trips. Students are expected to learn about
China's rich ancient history and culture as well as its dynamic
economic developments and social changes today. China is a land of
diversity, few people in the world truly realize until they see it
all. Although China is about the size of the United States, its
population is six times that of America. Undoubtedly China faces
tremendous challenges in going through drastic economic and social
changes.
We will spend the first week of the spring term on campus to study the basics about China, its history, culture, customs, and language. Then we'll begin a three-week study in China, which allows students to see with their own eyes this ancient civilization taking on a modern drive in the 21st century. We are going to travel from Shanghai to Wuzhen, Hangzhou, Yixin, Nanjing, Xi'an and Beijing, visiting historical sites, industries, traditional towns, and cultural sites. We will also visit different schools universities where our students will have the opportunities of one-on-one conversation with Chinese students and participate in different activities.
The three weeks in China will take us from the sizzling present of economic, educational, and social changes to the 2000-year old ancient capital of Xi'an, where 6000 Terra-Cotta soldiers stand guard of the fist emperor, and to today's capital of Beijing, where modern transformation is taking fast speed of change.
Visit one of the individual trip websites (created by a member of the class during the trip) for student perspectives and photos!
Trip Websites: 2009, 2007, 2005, 2004, 2002
