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China: Beijing -
Academics
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In Shan Xiping Yao, the ancient capital
of China. |
Prerequisites
While there is no Chinese language prerequisite
for the Beijing Enclave program, study of Mandarin
Chinese prior to participation in the program is strongly
encouraged. PLEASE NOTE, for the Chinese Immersion
program track, the typical requirement is that students
have studied two semesters of college-level Chinese.
Courses
Students earn a full semester of American University
(AU) credit. These credits are readily transferable
to other colleges and universities. Following are
descriptions of the courses offered. Courses are taught
in English except for Chinese Language. Please
note, not all courses are offered each semester and
courses with low enrollment are subject to cancellation.
China in the Global Economy
(3 credit hours)
This course will examine the evolution of China's
increasing role in the global economy. It will deal
with different aspects of China's foreign economic
relations, including trade, investment, the impact
of WTO accession, regional integration and international
economic institutions. (This course has
been approved by Kogod for business credit)
Chinese Arts and Culture
(3 credit hours; Fall only)
This course aims to give students a better understanding
of ancient and modern Chinese fine arts (painting,
sculpture, architecture, etc), as well as folk and
popular arts (crafts, opera and film). A comparative
approach will be employed to highlight differences
with Western genres.
Chinese Political Reforms
(3 credit hours)
This course aims at understanding the two and
half decades of reforms in the People's Republic of
China. By discussing the reforms' background conditions,
international context, policy options, difficulties,
achievements, failures, and possible future, the instructor
intends to lead an advanced course on contemporary
Chinese political economy.
Chinese Women's Studies
(3 credit hours)
This course takes students to the contemporary
world of Chinese women and the issues which they face
in this fast changing society. Besides a brief introduction
of the subhuman treatment of women under the old society,
the course will focus on the changing status of women
starting with the Chinese revolution in the 20th century.
How did women fare under socialism and what affected
women's status and rights under current capitalist
development? Concrete issues, such as employment,
education, family relations, and political participation,
will be addressed. Comparisons, not only with China's
past, but also with the Western societies, will be
made to assess Chinese women's status vis-à-vis
the world.
Sino-American Relations (Contemporary U.S.-China
Relations)
(3 credit hours)
The vicissitudes of contemporary Chinese American
relations and causes of sometimes hostile conflicts
are explored in this course. The course concentrates
on Post Cold War events in the context of American
predominance, decline of Soviet power and emergence
of China as a new force on the international scene.
Bilateral issues, such as Taiwan, and global ones,
such as terrorism, will be discussed in details.
Doing Business in China (Business and Marketing
in China)
(3 credit hours)
This course introduces students to China's multi-faceted
business culture as well as practices. It includes
topics such as capital markets, banking system, tax
structure, labor relations, consumer behavior, government-business
relations. It prepares students for both understanding
practical aspects of business and starting a career
in multinational firms. (This course has
been approved by Kogod for business credit)
International Finance
(3 credit hours)
This course aims to introduce students to the main
issues in international finance. Students will learn:
a.)mechanisms of the international financial markets
and relevant institutions; b.) the major theories
of international finance; and c.) tools of international
financial management and investment. The course will
also discuss modern issues in international finance
policies. (This course has been approved
by Kogod for business credit)
Business Strategies with Chinese Characteristics
(3 credit hours)
This course discusses business strategies in
a Chinese cultural context. The Classics, such as
the Art of War and the 36 Strategies will be used
to analyze contemporay business cases. (This
course has been approved by Kogod for business credit)
China in Transformation, 1840s-1960s (Modern
Chinese History)
(3 credit hours)
The course aims at understanding of China's transition
from a traditional society to a modern nation by examining
the historical forces since the mid- 19th century.
Nationalism and Communism will be two organizing themes
that provide a framework to thread various phenomena
all the way to Chinese Communist victory in 1949.
The post-Mao reforms that undid China's communist
economic system will also be discussed.
Philosophy and Science in Pre-modern
China
(3 credit hours; Fall only)
By examining Chinese philosophy, science and
technology, this course will elaborate on the relationship
between culture and the advancement of science and
technology in Chinese historical contexts. It seeks
to explain both the preeminence of Chinese tradition
and, so some extent, the lack thereof in modern times
as a result of East-West encounters.
Rural Economics
(3 credit hours)
This course is designed to help students understand
the rural dimension of China 's economic transition.
It examines the impacts of economic reforms on the
life of Chinese peasants, including the effects of
marketization and globalization on income structure,
labor mobility, ownership rights and other major aspects
of the rural economy. It also provides an overview
of the implications of the changing economic landscape
for social and political development in rural China.
The reading materials include a diverse and balanced
collection of studies done by both external and domestic
specialists.
Literature and Changing Society (An Introduction
to Chinese Literature)
(3 credit hours)
This course explores the relationship between literature,
man, and society by analyzing the works and minds
of major 20th century Chinese writes and against the
background of anti-traditionalism and East-West culture
encounters.
Chinese Media and Society
(3 credit hours)
This course examines the role of media in contemporary
Chinee society in an era of globalization, and changing
social structures. The new forms of media, internet
and cellphone, as well as traditional radio and TV
will be thoroughly explored.
Independent Studies
(1-4 credit hours)
Independent studies can be arranged with on a
case-by-case basis with the Program Director. Topic
range covers research projects from contemporary political,
economic, and diplomatic issues to historical inquiries.
Credit will be rewarded in accordance with the amount
of research work.
Chinese Language
Language classes have three levels, elementary,
intermediate, and advanced. Tutors are available for
special cases.
Chinese Language I
(6 credit hours)
Through intensive instructions and pattern drills,
the elementary level class will not only introduce
students to Chinese language but more importantly
will help students to master basic spoken Chinese.
At the end of the course, students should achieve
a level of functional Chinese in daily life.
Chinese Language II
(6 credit hours)
The purpose of the intermediate level class is
to help students increase reading comprehension as
well as oral proficiency in Mandarin. After this class,
students will be able to independently learn Chinese
on their own and participate in advanced language
training course either in the US or in China.
Chinese Language III
(6 credit hours)
Students in the advanced class will learn to
appreciate various unique aspects of written and spoken
Chinese. Chinese will be the language of instruction
with the purpose of reinforcing students' skills in
speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Also, the
class will introduce and discuss important aspects
of Chinese culture and current news.
Special Language Session
(4-6 credit hours)
Special cases of advanced students who do not fit
in regular classes (for instance, Chinese Americans)
will be organized into this special session. here,
language studies will be more vigorous and demanding.
Martial Arts and Calligraphy
(non-credit)
These courses are designed to enrich students'
lives in Beijing as well as helping them understand
specific aspects of traditional Chinese culture.
*Classes are subject to cancellation if enrollment
is less than 5 (except for language classes).
Chinese Language Immersion Track
The Beijing Enclave program now offers a special
track focused on language immersion. This is a new
program for the language serious students with advanced
Chinese. The class size is small with one on one drills.
Please note, the typical requirement for participation
in this track is at least two semesters of college-level
Chinese.
Immersion Chinese
(12 credits)
The immersion Chinese Language classes are designed
for advanced language students. They normally meet
three hours in the morning and two hours in the afternoon
daily, five days a week, except Friday afternoon,
including two hours of lecture and drill, two hours
of language task session, and a one-hour individual
session (one-on-one). In addition, there is a language
table every Wednesday. Students should be aware that
the immersion course is very demanding. In addition
to the five daily hours of class, students should
expect to spend at least another three to four hours
in class preparation and self-study daily.
Chinese Folklores
( 1 credit, spring & fall )
This course is for students on Chinese immersion track.
The instructor will discuss Chinese cultural traditions,
religions, and all kinds of social practices that
permeate Chinese life. It is four weeks in length
and readings will be selected from books, articles,
and contemporary news.
Social Issues
(1 credit ,spring & fall)
To understand contemporary social issues by reading
and discussing is the purpose of this course. Among
the major topics are peasant laborers in cities, education,
environment, etc. Students will conduct interviews,
by using Chinese, as part of this class.
Popular Culture
(1 credit, spring and fall)
The focus of this course is on the youth culture,
music, movies, TV programs, and the immerging internet
culture. Interactions with college students forms
part and parcel of this attempt to understand China's
youth.
Language Internship
(1 credit, conducted in Chinese)
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