Description

Arguably, no country is undergoing more rapid social, technological and environmental change than China in the new millennium. Through a written history of over 5,000 years, China has experienced massive effects of geographic expansion, revolutions, colonization, environmental turmoil and now globalization. As one of the largest economies in the world and the last remaining communist nation-states, China has a profound and growing global influence in almost every domain--including politics, environmental change and human rights. It is the roaring dragon.

This 23-day transdisciplinary study abroad program focuses on two of China's most dynamic cities. Beijing is the political and cultural capital of China; the center for past and present political regimes; and a repository of cultural relics and treasures from the imperial era. The cosmopolitan and very different city of Shanghai is China's chief industrial center and one of the world's leading ports, embodying a global city where western and eastern cultures meet and processes of globalization are accentuated. Drawing on such fields as anthropology, archaeology, history, sustainability, global health, urban studies, political science and sociology, our China program focuses attention on two central and accessible topics that allow us to understand both the genesis and the results of these massive changes in China, and where things are going next: food and environmental health. This also gives us a wonderful reason to eat lots of amazing food and explore as much of the city and countryside as we can.

Highlights

This 6-credit-hour traveling program is a traveling one in which we emphasize experience outside the classroom, investigating first-hand how Beijing and Shanghai have transformed and are transforming in modern, fascinating China. Planned activities include an overnight stay at the Great Wall, walking in the Ming and Qing dynasties' emperors' footsteps at the Forbidden City, a short homestay with a local Beijing family, visiting a tea plantation in Hangzhou, learning traditional healing, cooking and calligraphy techniques and exploring the water town of Zhou Zhuang. All scheduled activities and excursions are included in the program fee. Accommodation is in well-appointed foreign student dorms and 4-star hotels, and senior ASU faculty accompany the group.

This program does not require any background in the Chinese language nor the topical foci, and is suitable for students from a wide range of majors.

Degree Level

Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Minimum Education

High School

Subject Areas

Cost in US$:

2011 cost was USD 2,579 (subject to change)

Program Fees Include:

The estimated program fee for 2011 for the China program is USD 2,579 (subject to change), and covers all accommodations, all scheduled excursions, cultural events, program-related ground transportation and group meals. Tuition (6 credit hours at normal ASU rates), international airfare (approximately USD 1,300), incidentals and remaining meals are additional

Experience Required

no

This Program is open to

American, Asian, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and Worldwide Participants.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Dormitory
• Home-stays

Participants Travel

Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work

in Groups of 16 - 20

Application Process Involves

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Post Services Include

• Exit Debriefing Abroad