The academic focus of the China abroad program is how political and social behavior and public policy must be understood in the light of historical and cultural factors, including geography, religion, ideology, ethnicity, economy, language, and institutions.  As a result, this program includes students of all majors -- for each can contribute to a fuller understanding of China.  And, we cannot understand one aspect without appreciating the inter-connectedness of every other aspect.  More than a study of China, this is a learning experiment -- a learning adventure.

The China Abroad is an intensive, three-quarter multi-disciplinary, learning program.  During winter quarter, 2008, students will study Asian culture as they develop into a fit learning team through a team dynamics course.  During spring quarter, 2008, ten intensive weeks will be spent in China-- learning some of the language, culture, religion, history, politics, geography, and arts.  Students will study Mandarin three to four hours a day for six weeks, study the cultural influences on society, and conduct individualized research projects on topics of public policy and social behavior.  .

Each participant will become an expert and conduct research into a different aspect of China-- geography, education, the role of women, religion, industry, art, literature, crime or law enforcement, environmental crisis, urbanization, population, relations with America or Japan or Russia, ethnic minorities, mass communication, China’s one-child policy, or economic development.  The goal is to use the subject to help understand present actions and forecast future policies.  Each project will tie into a fuller appreciation of the political or cultural behavior of the Chinese people and their government.  As a learning team, we will share our insights and discoveries, and assist each other in our explorations.

Field research will include observations, including participation; on-site visits, accompanied by discussion and analysis; meetings with public officials and private citizens; tours and lectures at cultural and historical sites and events; and constant debriefings and personal reflection. 

The language training will give students basic tools for communication and, more importantly, self-confidence to reach across the barrier of culture!  There will be extensive contact with the Chinese people -- one can't escape!  There are no "days off;" no one can "get away."  Participants will be challenged to breech barriers.  It will be demanding, tiring, rewarding.