Study in China 2014 Brochure by The Alliance for Global Education

Study in China 2014 Shanghai • Beijing • Xi’an

About Us

The Alliance for Global Education, LLC, was formed with the vision of opening study abroad destinations in Asia to an ever-growing and more diverse U.S. undergraduate population. The Alliance provides stimulating, interdisciplinary study abroad programs in China and India that maintain high academic standards, strong student services, and careful health and safety measures. Our core mission is to develop and promote innovative programs in vibrant, dynamic Asian countries that are of ever-increasing scholarly, political, and economic interest.

TABLE OF CONTENTS SHANGHAI 21st Century City.................................... 3 Intensive Chinese Language ............ 5 International Business ......................... 7 Summer Internship Program ........... 6

BEIJING Popular Culture and Social Change................................. 9 Intensive Chinese Language ......... 11 Summer Internship Program ........... 6

XI’AN Xi’an and the Silk Road ................... 13 GENERAL INFORMATION ........... 15

Cover photos, top: Nomadic yurts near Tianshan Mountains in Xinjiang province, by Richelle Gamlam (George Washington University); bottom: Morning exercise at Temple of Heaven Park in Beijing, by Anthony Dodge (University of Minnesota).

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All Eyes on China

Students in Alliance programs:

Few countries have captured global attention as China has in the past decade, with its importance to international politics, economy, environmental and public health initiatives, and urban and popular culture only increasing with a view to the future.

• Engage in high-quality academic coursework delivered by experts in the field.

A command of Chinese language, in-depth familiarity with Chinese culture, and networks within the country are more than ever valuable strengths for ambitious undergraduates with an eye towards distinguishing themselves in professional or scholarly work.

Why the Alliance? The Alliance for Global Education offers a unique approach to the study of contemporary China and India, pulling together these wide and diverse subject areas through the lens of focused thematic and disciplinary areas.

• Move beyond the classroom and into their areas of interest through internships and field research, balancing structured academic and experiential learning. • Integrate into the local context, through housing, volunteer opportunities, peer relationships, and co-curricular activities. • Benefit in their learning and cultural adjustment from a dedicated team of highlytrained and knowledgeable program staff. In all of our programs, the Alliance seeks to support highly-motivated, adventurous students as they develop into sensitive and sophisticated future leaders, with a nuanced understanding of complex local, regional, and international issues.

Shanghai

21st Century City In the last century Shanghai has experienced exponential growth from its origins as a colonial trading port to a bustling international metropolis and global financial hub. Our Shanghai: 21st Century City program examines this process of rapid urbanization, China’s encounter with the world, energy and water issues, and green technology initiatives in this dynamic Asian urban center.

about Shanghai As one of the world’s largest and fastest growing cities intricately connected to global flows of commodities and people, Shanghai has situated itself both as China’s financial hub and its most cosmopolitan city. Shanghai’s residents exemplify China’s rapidly urbanizing population, and many outsiders are drawn by Shanghai’s big city chic.

Both a laboratory and model of urbanization, Shanghai as a 21st century city also represents the enormous environmental, economic, and social challenges that are mirrored regionally, nationally, and globally. With a rapidly growing population, rising lifestyle expectations, and continuing industrial production, Shanghai serves as an ideal field of study for students wishing to immerse themselves in Chinese language and society, to study currents of international trade and finance, or to explore questions of sustainability and urbanization.

host University Founded in 1905, Fudan University is a leading university in China with an international reputation for excellence. Comprising 17 schools offering a comprehensive range of disciplines, and with a robust population of 35,000 students, Fudan seeks to embody the Confucian origins of its name with its commitment to forward-thinking and constant renewal.

Courses CHIN 100-600

Chinese Language

(required, 9 class hours/week, 6 credits) No prior language study is required. All courses emphasize reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Nine levels are offered, beginning through advanced. Weekly one-on-one sessions with teachers provide individualized tutoring and guidance. All of the following courses are taught in English and meet for 3 class hours per week: SOCI 260 Chinese

Society in the 21st Century

(required, 3 credits) Benjamin Gillman (George Washington University) and Sara Vaca De La Torre (Chapman University) enjoy street food while visiting Yuyuan Garden during one of the Alliance’s weekly excursions.

A bird’s eye view of Shanghai at the Urban Planning Museum.

All students are required to design and complete a capstone research project as part of this course.

Program Snapshot CReDiT hoURS: 15 (Semester) 9 (Summer) aCaDemiCS: Chinese language economics environmental Studies international affairs Political Science Sociology Urban Studies hoUSing: apartments with Chinese roommates langUage: Chinese and english fielD STUDy TRiPS: Sichuan, yunnan, or Qinghai

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Choose two 3-credit elective courses: ARCH 392 Architecture and Design: China’s Encounter with the World

Opening and Reform: China’s Economic Development Since 1978

ECON 370

Energy, Water, and Green Technology ENVI 385

HIST 310 Pearl of the Orient: Shanghai’s Colonial History

Sino-U.S. Relations: Superpower and Realignment IAFF 340

Contemporary Chinese Politics: State, Party, People

POLS 350

Rodrigo Quan Miranda (Amherst College) concentrates on his personal calligraphy lesson.

SOCI 265

Contemporary Urban Culture

URBN 390

Urban Planning

Housing

“My roommate has really become my best friend. His family has been great to me by getting me a coffee machine when I first got to China, taking me to an old water town, inviting me to a wedding in Nanjing, offering my family gifts, and inviting me to their home for amazing meals. When I first ate with them, I was lucky to understand half of what they were saying in full out Chinese, but now I understood every toast his father makes and feel a very real connection with them.” — Todd Morrill, George Washington University

Fostering ongoing immersion and exchange, Alliance students live in shared apartments with local Chinese university students. In addition to serving as informal language partners, these Chinese roommates introduce Alliance students to Shanghai and offer unique perspectives on its 21st century urban culture.

Field Study Trip The focus of the 21st Century City program is further expanded through a week-long field study trip that exposes students to China’s social, economic, and geographic diversity. Destinations may vary, but through first-hand exposure to areas such as Sichuan, Yunnan, or Qinghai provinces, students explore ethnic and linguistic variations, identify compelling differences between urban and rural life, and investigate the interplay of traditional and modern that lend greater nuance and context to their understanding of Shanghai in its broader national context.

Summer Program The 21st Century City program also runs for 8 weeks during the summer for a total of 9 credits, offering 15 hours per week of Chinese language instruction plus an additional course in English. Students complete a capstone project and participate in a 5-day field study trip.

Co-curricular Activities To complement and reinforce the academic curriculum, students participate in a number of co-curricular initiatives designed to enhance their understanding of Shanghai as a 21st century city. These activities may include: • Exploring Shanghai’s declining factory district that is regenerating itself as an art community • Visiting Shanghai’s Urban Planning Center • Understanding Shanghainese culinary traditions through cooking workshops with local master chefs • Engaging with artistic dimensions of Chinese language through calligraphy classes By taking learning outside the classroom and engaging students on-site, Alliance programs bring together the best of both academic and experiential dimensions of study abroad.

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Paul Chung (Swarthmore College) celebrates an Alliance scavenger hunt victory at Yuyuan Garden.

Shanghai

Intensive Chinese Language For students whose primary goal is Chinese language acquisition, the Alliance offers intensive, full-immersion language instruction in one of China’s most vibrant urban centers. With Chinese roommates, a language pledge that requires students to speak only Chinese, and 20 hours of language instruction per week, students make rapid gains in their language skills—and put them to immediate use in exploring cosmopolitan Shanghai.

Courses To be eligible, students must complete two semesters of Chinese prior to arrival. CHIN 200-600

Chinese Language

Program Snapshot

(required, 20 class hours/week, 15 credits)

CReDiT hoURS:

All courses emphasize reading, writing, speaking, and listening and include opportunities for practical application outside the classroom. Seven levels are offered, intermediate through advanced. One-on-one sessions with teachers twice a week provide individualized tutoring and guidance.

aCaDemiCS: Chinese language Sociology

Students may take one course in English: SOCI 260

Chinese Society in the 21st Century

(optional, 3 credits)

All students are required to design and complete a capstone research project as part of this course.

housing To provide a fully-immersive Chinese-speaking environment, Alliance students live with local Chinese university students in shared apartments. This enables Intensive Chinese Language students to maintain their language pledge and progress swiftly in their language acquisition, while also creating opportunities for cross-cultural friendship and exchange.

15–18 (Semester) 9 (Summer)

hoUSing: apartments with Chinese roommates langUage: Chinese PRe-ReQUiSiTeS: Two semesters of Chinese fielD STUDy TRiPS: Sichuan, yunnan, or Qinghai

Top left: On the Bund, Alliance students bask in the glittering skyline of Shanghai.

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New Summer Internship Programs The Alliance is delighted to announce two full-time summer internship programs in Shanghai and Beijing. Launching in summer 2014, the curriculum includes a full-time internship at 6 credits and an Alliance core course at 3 credits. Internships are supervised by a faculty advisor and designed to accommodate a variety of language levels. Placements may include Chinese and foreign-owned companies, research and government organizations, NGOs, or media and art studios. Students also participate in a discussion seminar that requires a paper and oral presentation.

“We went to Lu Xun Park with our teacher and asked elders a few questions about Chinese lifestyle and opinions on the environment and changes in Chinese daily life. The interviews went smoothly until we asked, ‘The Chinese economy develops quite quickly. Do you think Chinese daily life is also changing?‘ Apparently, this question touched slightly upon politics. Many Chinese elders — with curiosity — came, joined in the discussion, and provided us much insight into today’s economy. A tranquil conversation turned into a lively debate!”

Co-curricular Activities

— Loi Ta,

• Engaging with core concepts of traditional Chinese medicine through a hands-on workshop

University of Memphis

Top right: Alliance students suited up for their guided visit to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.

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To complement and reinforce the academic curriculum, students participate in a number of co-curricular initiatives designed to enhance language learning and cultural fluency. These activities may include: • Interviewing students and teachers at Shanghai International Studies University and Fudan University’s middle schools • Investigating China’s cultural pastimes and family structures through meeting local residents with Chinese language faculty in Lu Xun Park • Exploring marriage and relationships in China through the lens of local matchmakers

By taking learning outside the classroom and engaging students on-site, Alliance programs bring together the best of both academic and experiential dimensions of study abroad.

Field Study Trip Intensive Chinese Language students are offered an opportunity to use their language outside of the polyglot urban centers through a week-long field study trip. Destinations may vary, but often include Sichuan, Yunnan, or Qinghai provinces. Through exposure to China’s social, economic, and geographic diversity, as well as regional and ethnic inflections to the Mandarin that has been such an intense focus of their studies, students gain a richly textured sense of the many realities that exist outside of cosmopolitan Shanghai.

Summer Program The Intensive Chinese Language program in Shanghai also runs for 8 weeks during the summer. Awarding a total of 9 credits, the program includes 21 class hours per week of Chinese language instruction, allowing students to focus on language acquisition. Summer students do not take courses in English but do participate in a 5-day field study trip.

Shanghai

International Business in China As one of the world’s premier financial capitals, Shanghai is fast-paced and cosmopolitan but distinctly Chinese. Our International Business in China program enables students to pursue academic interests in international business and economic development in this major Asian commercial center. Offering electives in economics, finance, marketing, management, and trade—as well as internships at a variety of Chinese, jointventure, and multinational companies—this Alliance program provides unparalleled opportunities to explore China’s rapidly changing business environment and the global networks in which it plays an ever more strategic role.

host University Shanghai University of Finance and Economics (SUFE), founded in 1917, is a multi-disciplinary university with a core focus on applied economics and management, in addition to faculties in law, philosophy, and the humanities. Home to 24,000 students on four campuses, SUFE was the first financial university in China to grant doctoral degrees and currently ranks as number one in the financial field.

Courses To be eligible, students must complete one business course and one economics course, or two economics courses, prior to arrival.

CHIN 100–600 Chinese

Language

(required, 9 class hours/week, 6 credits) No prior language study is required. All courses emphasize reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Nine levels are offered, beginning through advanced. All of the following courses are taught in English, except Business Chinese, and meet for 3 class hours per week: ECON 370

China: Economic Giant

(required, 3 credits)

A busy commercial street in downtown Shanghai.

All students are required to design and complete a capstone research project as part of this course. Choose two 3-credit elective courses, or one elective course and an internship: CHIN 320 Business

Chinese

ECON 371 / FINC 370 International

and Finance

Money

International Trade: A Chinese Perspective

ECON 380

MGMT 390 Managing MKTG 390 China INTS 380

Program Snapshot

Enterprises in China

as a Global Market

Internship

Students with at least three semesters of Chinese may elect to participate in an internship. Interns are placed in Chinese and foreign-owned companies, research and government organizations, NGOs, or media and art studios for a minimum of 120 hours over the course of the term. Supervised by a faculty advisor, students participate in a discussion seminar that requires a paper and oral presentation.

CReDiT hoURS: 15 (Semester) 9 (Summer) aCaDemiCS: Chinese language economics finance international Business management marketing hoUSing: Dorms with Chinese roommates langUage: Chinese and english PRe-ReQUiSiTeS: none fielD STUDy TRiPS: hong Kong, macau, and guangdong Province inTeRnShiPS aVailaBle

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Housing Fostering ongoing immersion and exchange, Alliance students live in on-campus housing with Shanghai University of Finance and Economics students. In addition to serving as informal language partners, these Chinese roommates offer Alliance students an opportunity for frank discussions beyond the classroom on topics related to the global economy and China’s role in it.

Co-curricular Activities To complement and reinforce the academic curriculum, students participate in a number of co-curricular initiatives designed to enhance their understanding of international business in China. These activities may include: Allyson Chew (Mount Holyoke College) samples steaming Shanghainese dumplings from a street vendor.

• Visiting international manufacturing facilities such as Volkswagen and Shanghai Baosteel • Exploring Shanghai’s declining factory district that is regenerating itself as an art community

“My coworkers at my internship are so friendly and helpful. I’ve noticed a few differences thus far between doing business in China compared to in the USA. For example, answering a phone call during the middle of a meeting or presentation is not shocking. Chinese think that if it is important enough to make a phone call about, they will answer it. Then a coworker got married, and I was able to understand the wedding customs that I saw at my office. I am so glad that the things we are learning in class can be carried over to my workplace and even just everyday life!” — Katie Anderson, Marietta College

Historically Hong Kong and Macau served as key colonial trading ports, but today these territories exist under Special Administrative Region status as part of China. Students visit the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and witness local advancements in infrastructure. The high level of economic integration along the Pearl River Delta plays a leading role in China’s economic growth. In nearby affluent Guangdong Province, students explore various international manufacturing centers.

Summer Program The International Business in China program also runs for 8 weeks during the summer for a total of 9 credits, offering 15 hours per week of Chinese language instruction plus an additional course in English or the internship course. Students complete a capstone research project and participate in a 5-day field study trip.

• Interviewing street vendors and small business owners at the South Bund Fabric Market • Examining local agriculture and farming industries in the far-reaching rural communities of Shanghai By taking learning outside the classroom and engaging students on-site, Alliance programs bring together the best of both academic and experiential dimensions of study abroad.

Field Study Trip The week-long field study trip to Hong Kong, Macau, and Guangdong Province allows students to deepen their understanding of investment and financial service industries influencing economic development in China.

The towering skyscrapers of Pudong’s financial district.

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Beijing

Popular Culture and Social Change Beijing’s place at the forefront of Chinese popular culture and social change has deeply influenced new generations of Chinese and has profoundly shaped their views of the world. Our Popular Culture and Social Change program offers students insider access to the currents driving contemporary Chinese society. Students engage with new elective coursework in contemporary culture and the arts, in addition to pre-existing options in economics, foreign policy, and environmental studies.

about Beijing Beijing’s immense scale reinforces the richness of themes to explore in its everyday life. An ancient seat of government, and home to a vibrant arts and music scene, Beijing has emerged as an epicenter for contemporary Chinese culture in a way that extends beyond the elites into the mainstream urban population, creating new cultural possibilities and reflecting larger scale changes in China.

host University

No prior language study is required. All courses emphasize reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Nine levels are offered, beginning through advanced. Weekly one-on-one sessions with teachers provide individualized tutoring and guidance. All of the following courses are taught in English and meet for 3 class hours per week: Contemporary Culture and Social Change in China (required, 3 credits)

SOCI 260

All students are required to design and complete a capstone research project as part of this course. Choose two 3-credit elective courses, or one elective course and an internship or documentary film: ARCH 391 Traditional to Cutting-Edge Architecture ARTH 370 Contemporary ECON 370 Opening

and Reform: China’s Economic Development Since 1978

Founded in 1962, Beijing Language and Culture University (BLCU) is widely considered one of the nation’s premier institutions for the teaching of Chinese language and culture to foreigners. Located in the academic Haidian district, BLCU comprises 11 faculties and research institutes and hosts 14,000 foreign and Chinese students.

FADN 355 Semiotics

Courses

MUSC 365

CHIN 100-600

Chinese Language

(required, 9 class hours/week, 6 credits)

Visual Arts

ENVI 380 China

and the Environment: Implications, Policies, and Prospects

Program Snapshot CReDiT hoURS: 15 (Semester) 9 (Summer) aCaDemiCS: Chinese language economics environmental Studies film Studies fine arts international affairs Sociology hoUSing: Dorms or homestays langUage: Chinese and english fielD STUDy TRiPS: Sichuan, yunnan, or Qinghai inTeRnShiPS aVailaBle

of Fashion and Design

FILM 360 Contemporary

China through Film

Introduction to Chinese Foreign Policy

IAFF 370

Top left: Yoko Ishida (University of Minnesota) practices a kung fu pose with Master Xie.

Jazz, Rock ‘n Roll, and the Contemporary Chinese Music Scene

THTR 375

Contemporary Performing Arts Study in asia

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“It’s funny how things work. My first interest in China at all stemmed from martial arts. Our program was offered kung fu classes on Fridays, and naturally I had to go. After meeting the instructor, I ended up agreeing to assist him in flushing out some ideas and polishing the English for his new promotional campaign. In exchange, he taught me traditional Shaolin kung fu and helped me plan a trip to the Shaolin Temple, where I was personally received by one of the masters residing there.” — Nick Legros, Duquesne University

INTS 380

Internship

Students with at least three semesters of Chinese may elect to participate in an internship. Interns are placed in Chinese and foreignowned companies, research and government organizations, NGOs, or media and art studios for a minimum of 120 hours over the course of the term. Supervised by a faculty advisor, students participate in a discussion seminar that requires a paper and oral presentation. FILM 380 Documentary

Film

The documentary film course allows students to conduct and present research through a visual rather than written medium. Working closely with a faculty member, students are trained in the art and technique of documentary filmmaking and produce a short film on their selected subject area.

Housing Fostering ongoing immersion and exchange, Alliance students live in on-campus housing and are paired with local Chinese students who serve as language partners. These language partners both promote language acquisition and provide a unique window into popular culture in Beijing. Students may also opt to live with a host family, providing yet another layer of immersion and exchange.

Co-curricular Activities

Top right: On the steps of the Temple of Heaven, Alliance students forge the beginnings of lifelong friendship.

To complement and reinforce the academic curriculum, students participate in frequent co-curricular initiatives designed to enhance their understanding of popular culture and social change. These activities may include: • Attending exclusive film screenings with local directors and screenwriters

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• Exploring repurposed factories in Beijing’s thriving 798 Art District • Engaging local residents through dumplingmaking in Houhai’s hutong (alley) district • Training with masters in traditional martial arts such as kung fu and tai chi By taking learning outside the classroom and engaging students on-site, Alliance programs bring together the best of both academic and experiential dimensions of study abroad.

Field Study Trip The focus of the Popular Culture and Social Change program is further expanded through a week-long field study trip that exposes students to China’s social, economic, and geographic diversity. Destinations may vary, but first-hand exposure to areas such as Sichuan, Yunnan, or Qinghai provinces offer students a glimpse into the other realities that may or may not resonate with popular culture and social change in China’s capital. By using their Chinese language skills to engage with locals, students gain unique insights into social, ethnic, and cultural currents that inform and animate life in the capital city.

Summer Program The Popular Culture and Social Change program also runs for 8 weeks during the summer for a total of 9 credits, offering 15 hours per week of Chinese language instruction plus an elective course, internship, or documentary film. Students complete a capstone research project and participate in a 5-day field study trip.

Beijing

Intensive Chinese Language For students whose primary goal is Chinese language acquisition, the Alliance offers intensive, full-immersion language instruction in China’s capital city. With a language pledge that requires students to speak only Chinese, 20 hours of language instruction per week, and immersion in the birthplace of modern-day Mandarin, students make rapid gains in their language skills—and put them to immediate use in exploring one of China’s most vibrant urban centers.

host University Founded in 1962, Beijing Language and Culture University (BLCU) is widely considered one of the nation’s premier institutions for the teaching of Chinese language and culture to foreigners. Located in the academic Haidian district, BLCU comprises 11 faculties and research institutes and hosts 14,000 foreign and Chinese students.

Courses To be eligible, students must complete two semesters of Chinese prior to arrival. CHIN 200-600

Chinese Language

(required, 20 class hours/week, 15 credits) All courses emphasize reading, writing, speaking, and listening and include opportunities for practical application outside the classroom. Seven levels are offered, intermediate through advanced. One-on-one sessions with teachers twice a week provide individualized tutoring and guidance.

Bradley Bennett (Texas Tech University) quickly makes many new friends in the Forbidden City.

Students may take one course in English: Contemporary Culture and Social Change in China (optional, 3 credits)

SOCI 260

All students are required to design and complete a capstone research project as part of this course.

housing To facilitate a full-time language pledge, Alliance students live on-campus with other Intensive Chinese Language students. In addition, students are paired with local Chinese students who serve as language partners promoting language acquisition and cross-cultural exchange. Students may also opt to live with a host family, providing yet another layer of language immersion.

Program Snapshot CReDiT hoURS: 15–18 (Semester) 9 (Summer) aCaDemiCS: Chinese language Sociology hoUSing: Dorms or homestays langUage: Chinese PRe-ReQUiSiTeS: Two semesters of Chinese fielD STUDy TRiPS: Sichuan, yunnan, or Qinghai

One of the many exotic street foods available to taste at Wangfujing Night Market.

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Co-curricular Activities To complement and reinforce the academic curriculum, students participate in a number of co-curricular initiatives designed to enhance language learning and cultural fluency. These activities may include: • Interviewing experts with Chinese faculty guides at Beijing’s premier art institutions • Attending exclusive film screenings with local directors and screenwriters • Engaging with artistic dimensions of Chinese language through calligraphy classes • Visiting and dining with local villagers at the foot of the Great Wall All aboard for adventure at the Beijing West Railway Station.

“I have to say, dancing with people at majestic Tiger Leaping Gorge is one of my favorite memories so far. Since I’ve been in China I’ve had my camera glued to my hand everywhere I go to document my experiences. However, it was nice to just let go – no computer, no iPhone, no internet, no camera – and just enjoy the experience. I relaxed and enjoyed dancing in the street on the side of a breathtaking cliff in Tiger Leaping Gorge, surrounded by mountains and the stars with a raging river below. No picture could do it justice; I’ll keep the memory instead.”

• Exploring core concepts of traditional Chinese medicine through a hands-on workshop By taking learning outside the classroom and engaging students on-site, Alliance programs bring together the best of both academic and experiential dimensions of study abroad.

Field Study Trip Intensive Chinese Language students are offered an opportunity to use their language outside of the polyglot urban centers through a weeklong field study trip. Destinations may vary, but often include Sichuan, Yunnan, or Qinghai provinces. Through exposure to China’s social, economic, and geographic diversity, as well as regional and ethnic inflections to the Mandarin that has been such an intense focus of their studies, students gain a richly textured sense of the many realities that exist outside of metropolitan Beijing.

Summer Program The Intensive Chinese Language program in Beijing also runs for 8 weeks during the summer. Awarding a total of 9 credits, the program includes 21 class hours per week of Chinese language instruction, allowing students to focus on language acquisition. Summer students do not take courses in English but do participate in a 5-day field study trip.

— Richelle Gamlam, George Washington University

Matthew Kelly (University of Illinois) learns a traditional Aini dance on the Alliance field study trip to Yunnan province.

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Xi’an

Xi’an and the Silk Road An ancient imperial capital and eastern terminus of the Silk Road, Xi’an has long been an important crossroads for people from throughout China, Central Asia, and the Middle East, and thus a melting pot of diverse ethnic identities and religious beliefs. This Alliance program allows students to explore the historical confluences of geography, ethnicity, and religion in a city that is culturally distinct from the coastal megacities. An exhilarating two-week field study trip along the Silk Road takes students off the beaten path and ties these themes together both academically and experientially.

Courses

about Xi’an

ANTH 350

Perhaps best known for its Terracotta Warriors, this modern capital of Shaanxi Province is home to eight million people—a thriving metropolis with a lively underground music and arts scene, and a booming aerospace and telecommunications hub. Still defined by its ancient city wall, its Muslim quarter, and its position at the heart of China’s interior, Xi’an offers students immersion in a city that is both unique within China and representative of it.

host University Founded in 1944, Shaanxi Normal University (SNU) is one of the most comprehensive universities in China’s northwest region and home to over 40,000 students. Conveniently located in the college district near public transportation, parks, and shopping, SNU has been named “the greenest campus in Xi’an.”

CHIN 100-600 Chinese

Language

(required, 9 class hours/week, 6 credits) No prior language study is required. All courses emphasize reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Nine levels are offered, beginning through advanced. Weekly one-on-one sessions with teachers provide individualized tutoring and guidance. All of the following courses are taught in English, except Specialized Chinese Language, and meet for 3 class hours per week: The Silk Road Yesterday and Today (required, 3 credits)

All students are required to design and complete a capstone research project as part of this course. Choose two 3-credit elective courses: ANTH 370 Ethnicity and Identity in Northwest China ARTH 360 Xi’an

and Chinese Art History

CHIN 321 Specialized

Program Snapshot CReDiT hoURS: 15 (Semester) 8 (Summer) aCaDemiCS: anthropology art history Chinese language history literature Religious Studies hoUSing: Dorms with Chinese roommates langUage: Chinese and english fielD STUDy TRiPS: Two-Week Silk Road exploration

Chinese Language

HIST 375 Center

of the World: Thirteen Dynasties of Xi’an as Imperial Capital LITR 260 Classical

to Contemporary Chinese Literature RELG 330 Religion RELG 340 Islamic

Top left: Traversing the Gobi Desert along the ancient Silk Road. Top right: Handpainted Buddhist thangka.

and Community in China

Studies

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“The Field Study Trip was the highlight of my semester abroad. Being in the Xi’an program, we were able to see even more of Western China and truly immerse ourselves in the Muslim and Tibetan cultures of these regions. Visiting these cities and historical monuments definitely expanded my understanding of Chinese history and made learning the facts about the Silk Road much more accessible.” — Jeffrey Harmon, University of Illinois

Housing

Field Study Trip

Fostering ongoing immersion and exchange, Alliance students live on-campus in shared apartments with Shaanxi Normal University students. In addition to serving as informal language partners, these Chinese roommates offer Alliance students unique perspectives on Xi’an as a city, its ethnic and religious diversity, and its unique role in Chinese history.

The two-week field study trip follows the ancient Silk Road into far western China and introduces students first-hand to many of the historic trading, religious, and artistic sites that they learn about in the core course.

Co-curricular Activities To complement and reinforce the academic curriculum, students participate in a number of co-curricular initiatives designed to enhance their understanding of Xi’an history, art, and ethnic and religious diversity. These activities may include: • Walking the Muslim Quarter and visiting its Great Mosque, led by a local Islamic historian • Participating in a regional Shaanxi cooking class at the best culinary school in Xi’an • Visiting a local art studio to learn the basics of folk painting and the origins of the Chinese folk painting movement • Exploring the Han Dynasty Terracotta Warriors with an Alliance professor By taking learning outside the classroom and engaging students on-site, Alliance programs bring together the best of both academic and experiential dimensions of study abroad.

Top right: Young Tibetan Buddhist monks dressed in ceremonial robing talk and laugh while awaiting their prayerful examinations.

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Beginning in Gansu Province, students visit the historic Silk Road hub of Dunhuang and its Mogao Caves with spectacular Buddhist murals. Out of the city, students ride camels through the Gobi Desert at Singing Sand Dunes. Continuing into Xinjiang Province, students explore Lake Karakul and stay in a Uighur village near the capital, Urumqi. A wellpreserved traditional Islamic city, Kashgar is another important destination, boasting a Grand Bazaar active in Silk Road trade for centuries. Students then visit an ethnically Tajik border town nestled in the Himalayas.

Summer Program The Xi’an and the Silk Road program also runs for 8 weeks during the summer for a total of 8 credits, offering 12 hours per week of Chinese language instruction plus the required core course. Students complete a capstone research project and participate in a ten-day field study trip along the Silk Road.

General Information 2014 Program Dates Spring term

February 12-June 9

Summer term

June 18-August 18

Fall term

August 27-December 21

See the website for a detailed calendar and mid-term break dates.

Application Deadlines Spring

November 1

Summer

March 1

Fall

April 15

Students must have a minimum 3.0 GPA to be eligible to apply. Visit our website for application instructions and requirements.

2014 Program Fees Program fees are published on the Alliance website at www.allianceglobaled.org.

What’s Included The program price includes tuition and fees, pre-departure materials, guidance with applying for a visa, orientation, housing, cell phone, weekly activities, a week-long field study trip during the fall and spring terms (or a five-day field study trip in the summer

Administration term), textbooks, the services of a full-time Resident Director, and medical and evacuation insurance. The program price does not include airfare to China, meals, passport and visa fees, independent travel, and other items not mentioned as included.

Scholarship Information The Alliance offers need-based scholarships ranging from $500-$4,500.

Administration Students, parents, faculty, and advisors can rely on the Alliance for Global Education to provide insightful guidance and comprehensive student services throughout the experience. Our U.S. staff and on-site Resident Directors in Beijing, Shanghai, and Xi’an work collaboratively with our Chinese university partners to provide exceptional educational experiences for our students. Courses and field study trips are subject to change. See the website for information on current courses and trips and for more information on summer curriculum.

Janice Levitt Executive Director Han Bing Director for China Programs China Advisory COMMITTEE Adrian Beaulieu Dean of International Studies Providence College Hu Lung-Hua Professor of Chinese Brown University Manfred Keil, Ph.D. Chair, Robert Day School of Economics and Finance Claremont McKenna College Neil Kubler, Ph.D. Stanfield Professor of Asian Studies Williams College Charles Laughlin, Ph.D. Professor of East Asian Studies Director, East Asia Center University of Virginia David Lux, Ph.D. Dean, College of Arts and Sciences Bryant University Sue Mennicke Associate Dean for International Programs Franklin and Marshall College

Coming Fall 2014

Lorna Stern Director of Global Strategic Development Arcadia University

Two Countries, One Semester

Wang Peng Professor of Chinese Georgetown University

China and India are increasingly commanding global attention as rising economic powerhouses and strategic partners. Their rapid growth provides the foundation for the Alliance’s newest program: Power, Politics, and Population. Through the lens of their capital cities, Beijing and Delhi, students examine the regional and international power dynamics, domestic politics, and population pressures that are shaping these nations’ ascendance on the world stage.

Wang Ying, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Asian Studies Mount Holyoke College Carolyn Watson Field Director, New England Institute for Study Abroad Butler University

With 8 weeks in each country, this new 15-credit program features a comparative core course and four country-specific courses, a rich slate of co-curricular field-based activities, and unparalleled insider access to the people and institutions driving change in these two emerging Asian superpowers. Visit our website to learn more and apply.

Study in Asia

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1730 M Street N.W., Suite 402 Washington, DC 20036 Phone: 202-822-0032 / 888-232-8379 Email: info@allianceglobaled.org Website: www.allianceglobaled.org Send Application Materials to: The Alliance for Global Education 450 S. Easton Road Glenside, PA 19038