Eligibility
You must be of sophomore status and have 2.5 GPA or higher to study in China.
You do not need to have any background in the Chinese language.
Cost
The Fall 2012 program cost is expected to be within $1000 of Calvin tuition and room and board on campus. More specific cost information will be sent with your acceptance letter. The final program cost is based on many factors and is not known exactly until the number of students in the group has been identified. The financial information page covers the details that go into the cost of the program and rough estimates for each. The cost includes:
- Tuition and administrative fee
- Round trip airfare Grand Rapids/Beijing
- Housing (in a university dorm)
- Food allowance
- Program excursions
- Required immunizations and physical exam
Additional expenses not included in the program fee: passport, visa, books, insurance (required), personal spending money and personal travel.
Accommodations
You will room with another Calvin student in a westernized international dormitory at the Capital Normal University.
Watch a tour of Beijing Normal University:
Courses
Choose one of two options for study in China: the Language-Focus Track or the Language and Culture Track.
The Language-Focus Track consists of 12 credit hours of language study, the Emerging China course (in English), and 1 credit hour for participation in group excursions.
The Language and Culture Track consists of 8 credit hours of language study and the following courses in English:Traditional Chinese Civilization, Modern China, and Emerging China.
| STCH 203 Traditional Chinese Civilization - Prof. TenHarmsel | ||
| An introduction to Chinese civilization from its earliest times to the end of the Ming dynasty. This course will look not only at the historical foundations of early China, but also at the religious and philosophical underpinnings of Chinese civilization in the form of Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism. This segment will culminate in a trip to Shandong Province, where students will visit Confucius' birthplace and Mount Tai, China's most famous mountain. In the Beijing area, students will visit the Confucian Temple, the White Cloud Daoist Temple, the Capital Museum, and Matteo Ricci's grave. | 5 week course, including 4-day trip | 3 semester hours, fulfills Global & Historical Studies core |
| STCH 204 Modern China - Prof. TenHarmsel | ||
| Starting with the fall of the Ming dynasty in the 17th century, this course will look at the events and forces that have shaped China in the last three hundred years. Special attention will be paid to China's collision with the West in the 19th century, the rise of Communism in the 20th century, and Communist history since Liberation in 1949. Students will visit sites such as the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace, the Marco Polo Bridge, and a hutong (old alleys) tour. The class will culminate in a 10 day trip to Xi'an, Nanjing, and Shanghai. | 6-week course, including 10- day trip | 3 semester hours, fulfills Global and Historical Studies core |
| STCH 210 Emerging China - Prof. TenHarmsel | ||
| Starting from the end of the Cultural Revolution, this course will look at the period of "Opening and Reform" and its present course of development. Students will examine the tough questions of contemporary China: population growth, the transition from a socialist to a market economy, religion in post-communist China and China's place in the larger global community. | 2-week course | 2 semester hours, fulfills Cross-Cultural Engagement (CCE) core |
| CHIN xxx Chinese Language - Chinese instructor and student tutor | ||
| Students will choose courses from several Chinese language sections offered through the local university (speaking, listening, reading, and writing). *No previous knowledge of Chinese is required. | Semester-long course | 8–12 semester hours** |
If you have already taken HIST 245, 246 or 371, you may, with the permission of the director of Off-Campus Programs, substitute one course at the Beijing Center for STCH 203 or 204.
**Please note: The grades from Professor TenHarmsel's courses will be factored into your GPA. The grade from your Chinese language course will be listed on your transcipt but will not factor into your GPA. Grades below "C" in the language course will not be accepted for credit.
Apply
Submit a preliminary application to the the off-campus programs office. Once your eligibility for the program is determined (within 1–2 weeks), you will be sent an application. The final application deadline for this program is March 14, 2012.
Guest students may apply for this program.
Contact
Program Director
Wayne TenHarmsel (lives in Beijing)
wtenharmsel@gmail.com
