Course Description
Examines the past, present, and future of Chinese cities and provides students with first-hand experiences of Chinese culture and society. The course addresses the following themes: history and philosophy, identity and ethnicity, life style and cuisine, language and tradition, marriage and family. Students will develop a critical and in-depth idea about China and its future.
Athena Title
Politics Society Culture China
Semester Course Offered
Offered summer semester every year. Offered every even-numbered year. Offered every odd-numbered year.
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
This course focuses on the experiential aspect of the study abroad trip. It will mainly consist of photo journal, in-class discussions, readings, video projects, and two final essays. Upon completion of this course, students will be able to: 1. Expand their understanding and appreciation of the intellectual, philosophical, and religious traditions that have influenced the Chinese society for thousands of years. 2. Identify and evaluate the historical and political background for the rapid economic developments in China and policies that shaped the society that we see today. 3. Demonstrate the roots, complexity, and challenges of some current social issues in China, to examine critically the current policy and regulations, and to come up with possible new strategies and remedies. 4. Employ survival Chinese language skills and inter-cultural communication skills which will facilitate their study and career in the future.
Topical Outline
1. Introduction—language and tradition 2. Family—filial children and social order 3. Family—marriage and divorce 4. Family—family planning, infanticide, and leftover women 5. Education—from imperial examination to Gaokao 6. Economy—economic development and discrimination 7. Religion—Confucianism 8. Religion—Buddhism and Daoism 9. Government—corruption, counterfeit, and concubines 10. Social issues—food safety and social credit system