May 2009 Economic Development and Social Change in China

Explore the cultural heritage and historical richness of China with Professor Sophia Geng.  Tentative Dates:  May 11th through June 11th, 2009.  First Year students, Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors are eligible to apply.

• Click here to view a PowerPoint Presentation
• Program Brochure
• Apply on-line now!

Program Description

Students will experience and learn about Chinese societal and economic development issues through a one-month immersion in Southease and Northern Chinese culture.  The course will include travel to Hong Kong, the PEark River Delta (Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Zhanjiang) and Shandong Province.  Seminars will be taught by CSB/SJU and Chinese professors about Intercultural Communication, Chinese language, Chinese history, Chinese culture, and Chinese Gongfu.  In addition, students will visit historic and cultural sites and museums, be partnered with a Chinese student and experience a Chinese host family.

The course will be attractive to and useful for CSB/SJU students in several disciplines, including Asian Studies, History, Political Science, Communication, Economics, Sociology, Social Work, and Management.

Director's Biography

Professor Sophia Geng is a faculty member in the Modern & Classical Languages Department/Asian Studies at CSB/SJU.  Her academic interests include US-China Communication, Chinese Contemporary Literature and Asian-American and Immigrant Literature.  She is originally from China.  Her travel experience includes extensive journeys in Hong Kong and Mainland China, Singapore, Sweden and North America. 

She believes that students participating in a study abroad program broaden their horizons by better understanding their own country and their role as global citizens.  She is excited to direct the 2009 China May Term program and visit again her ancestral land.

Tentative Itinerary

• Monday, May 11th: Departure the day following commencement.  
• May 11 - 14: Visit Hongkong, meet CSB|SJU alumni and tour places of historical and cultural importance in Hongkong. 
• May 14 - 22: Visit Zhangjiang Normal University, meet Chinese students and CSB|SJU alumni, field trips to majors cities of the Pearl River Delta region. 
• May 23 - June 10: Visit Binzhou University (first time for an American student group to visit!), attend seminars, visit brand name factories and government agencies, field trip to Qufu to visit the Confucius Temple and Tomb, climb Mountain Tai, visit the Museum of Sunzi and other Eastern coastal cities.
• June 11: Return to US

Cost

Approximately $4,000.  This fee includes:  International airfare, lodging throughout the trip, ground transportation for tours and between cities, entrance fees for museums, temples, guide fees, banquets and some meals (including most breakfasts at hotels). Two-credit course (tuition payable directly to Student Accounts office: approx. $700).

• Not included:  Visa to China, some meals and personal expenses.
• Deposit:  $100 holds your spot in the program after review your application and acceptance to the program.

Funding Your Trip

Binzhou University will offer teaching positions to interested CSB|SJU students during June, July and August.  Compensation for teaching English will be approximately equivalent to your international airfare costs.  They will also assist with housing arrangements.  This can be a great way to extend your stay in China and to conduct China related research for your academic development.

Professor Geng will assist students in their application for the Freeman-Asia fellowships.  Please contact her for more information.  Additional scholarship opportunities can be found on-line.

Packing Checklist

• Sun Block
• Light rain jacket
• Insect repellent
• Hat
• Water Bottle
• Shorts
• T-shirts
• Comfortable shoes (you will be doing a lot of walking----to and from class, to the local stores and restaurants, sightseeing…)
• Wear for banquets and formal meetings
• Swimsuit

Personal:

Most things are available in China, but there are some things you should plan on bringing with you. 

• Dental Floss
• First Aid Kit- (Make from scratch--include Band-Aids)
• Motion sickness pills—for those who need it (local travel will be by boat, bus, or train)
• Common medicine- Ibuprofen, aspirin, diarrhea pills, Pepto, ointment for burns/cuts, etc…
• Full supply of any prescription medications you are currently taking
• Contact solution
• Women’s essentials
• Razors/shaving cream
• Stain stick-for laundry
• Deodorant
• Ear Plugs: for travel on planes, trains, buses
• Money Pouch
• A guidebook for China
• Duct Tape

Bibliography

• Joseph Y. S. Cheng, ed., Guangdong: Preparing for the WTO Challenge.  New York: Columbia University Press, 2004.
• Willem van Kemenade, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Inc.: The Dynamics of a New Empire trans. by Diane Webb.  New York: Knopf, 1997.
• George C. S. Lin, Red Capitalism in South China: Growth and Development of the Pearl River Delta.  Vancouver: UBC Prss,1997.
• William H. Overholt, The Rise of China: How Economic Reform is Creating a New Superpower.  New York: Norton, 1993.
• South China Morning Post, comp., Pearl River Super Zone: Tapping into the World's Fastest Growing Economy.  Hong Kong: SCMP Book Publishing, 2003.
• Joe Studwell, The China Dream: The Quest for the Last Great Untapped Market on Earth.  New York: Atlantic Monthly Press, 2002.
• Ezra F. Vogel, One Step Ahead in China: Guangdong Under Reform.  Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1989.
• Ezra F. Vogel, ed., Living with China: U.S.-China Relations in the Twenty-first Century.  New York: Norton, 1997.
• Y. C. Richard Wong, with Y. W. Sung, P. W. Liu, and P. K. Lau, The Fifth Dragon: The Emergence of the Pearl River Delta.  New York: Addison-Wesley, 1995.
• Anthony Gar-on Yeh, et. al., Building a Competitive Pearl River Delta Region.  Hong Kong: Hong Kong University Press, 2002.