The Miami University China Semester Program
The purpose of Miami University's Shanghai-based China Semester Program is to offer each student a challenging opportunity for in-depth study of and direct contact with the culture and people of China. The Fall 2008 program is tentatively scheduled to depart the U.S. on August 28th and return on December 14, 2008.
Program information: Powerpoint(ppt) or PDF(pdf)
Fall 2008 orientation information: Powerpoint presentation(pdf) and supplemental notes(pdf)
Program Schedule
Program schedule(pdf)
Admission and Enrollment Requirements
See your academic advisor(s) before registering for MU China Semester Program classes. We recommend that you take this bulletin along to show your advisor.
Admission Requirements:
- Minimum 2.50 cumulative grade point average
- At least one year of college experience
- Any past MU Code violations require a personal interview and eligibility review
- No Chinese language prerequisite but prior study is highly recommended
- Application by March 1, 2008 with an academic advisor's signature required (signature not required for fall 2008)
Enrollment Requirements:
- Every student must register full-time to include a language course and two lecture courses. Students may register for three lecture courses if they wish.
Course Offerings
 Class schedules(pdf)
Mandarin Chinese Language Courses:
Courses are offered on the beginning, intermediate and advanced levels following the Mandarin language syllabi at Miami.
Elementary Chinese (8 credits)
Beginning Chinese on this eight-hour, semi-intensive level provides CHI 101 and CHI102 credit for one semester of study.
Second Year Chinese (6 credits)
Intermediate Chinese on this eight-hour, semi-intensive level provides CHI 201 and CHI202 credit for one semester of study.
Third Year Chinese (6 credits)
Advanced Chinese on this eight-hour, semi-intensive level provides CHI 301 and CHI302 credit for one semester of study
China-focus Lecture Courses:
The following China-focused area studies courses are offered:
Politics & Society in Contemporary China (4 credits) - Syllabus(pdf)
Professor: Tom Lairson, Rollins College
China has experienced extraordinary levels of political, economic and social turmoil coupled with breathtaking change over the past century. The end of a dynasty, a civil war, invasion and occupation, revolutionary modernization and extreme political difficulties, radical reversal from communism to a version of capitalism, and extraordinary rates of economic growth resulting from rapid integration into the world economy: all this and more in the space of 100 years. This course is designed to introduce students to contemporary China with an overview of these developments and a more detailed look at current social, political, economic and environmental issues.
Chinese History & Culture Overview (4 credits) - Syllabus(pdf)
Professor: Yihong Pan, Miami University
This course provides students an overview of Chinese history and culture, tracing the
evolution of Chinese history and culture from ancient times to present. The overview of
Chinese history delineates a clear story line from ancient times to present, which serves as a
contextual framework for discussing major themes and topics of Chinese culture. The
themes and topics on Chinese culture include formation and evolution of Chinese identity,
Chinese political, economic and social systems, Chinese philosophical and religious
traditions, Chinese education system, Chinese literature and arts and major Chinese customs
and habits. As the course is conducted in China, a strong field study component is added to
supplement the classroom teaching.
BUS 325: Business & Economic Development in Modern China (4 credits) - Syllabus(pdf)
Professor: David Yen, Miami University
 This course focuses on the economic and business environments in China and how they influence companies doing business there. Designed to provide the students with an overseas learning experience about the international business environment of China, and the Shanghai area in particular, this course grounds the classroom learning with opportunities to engage with Chinese businesses to see how it works in the real world. In addition, each student will build an in depth knowledge of the business and economic aspects which affect investment strategies, entrepreneurship opportunities, and technological development in China. Shanghai's expansion directly correlates to its resurgence as an economic powerhouse. For this reason, a basic understanding of how this happened and what it means for the future is key for business students, but helpful for any degree program. This course can also be required to prepare students for their industry-related internship in China.
Internship Experience Course (3 credits)
Description and syllabus are forthcoming.
Internship option will not be available - except by special request - until fall 2009.
Please consult with your academic adviser to confirm that these courses will help you to fulfill requirements for your particular major or other graduation requirements such as Miami Plan. If you and your adviser find that these courses are not a good fit, you may want to consider another program in China.
Thematic Sequence Offerings
China-focus Thematic Sequence (Interdisciplinary)
This self-designed and replicable thematic sequence permits you to select among Chinese language and area-studies courses taught in the China Semester Program and to develop a significant understanding of the complexities of life in contemporary China.
CHI 1: Developing language skills in Chinese (Language Intensive)
China Semester Program Chinese language courses at the 201, 202 or 301 levels will meet East Asian Studies Minor requirements.
Credit/No Credit, Independent Study and Other Matters
Credit / No Credit
Students cannot take a language course credit/no credit. One lecture course can be taken credit/no credit.
Independent Study
No course can be taken on an independent study basis at the China Semester Program.
Disability Accommodation
If you anticipate the need for classroom accommodations for a disability while studying abroad, you need to notify the appropriate university office as soon as your application for study abroad is approved. For Learning Disabilities and/or Attention Deficit Disorder contact The Rinella Center 14 CAB 529-8741. For Physical or Other Disabilities contact Disability Resources contact 19 CAB 529-1541.
Excursions Throughout China
 In addition to the in-Shanghai program of cultural visits, the MU China Semester Program includes 33 days of guided excursions outside Shanghai, including a 14-day China tour to Xian, Tibet, Yangshou and Hong Kong; a 10-day cultural excursion to Beijing and Qingdao; and three 3-day cultural excursions to Suzhou and Zhouzhuang, Nanjing, and Hangzhou.
Itinerary for Beijing-Qingdao excursion(pdf)
Itinerary for Xian-Tibet-Yangshuo-Hong Kong excursion(pdf)
Cost and Financial Matters
The MU China Semester Program costs marginally more than the in-Oxford cost of a semester. Compared to the estimated $12,946 cost for Ohio residents of a usual semester in Oxford, the semester in China - including airfare - is estimated to cost $15,172, or about $2,200 more than in Oxford. Non-residents will also spend approximately $2,000 more than on the Oxford campus. All Miami financial aid, including federal financial aid, Miami's own scholarships and dependent tuition waivers, can be applied to pay these costs. Financial-aid eligible students will also benefit from the Miami airfare grant which will lower the airfare costs. See the cost sheet for this semester program.
Estimated Costs for the 2008 Fall Program(pdf)
Applying
Required forms are available online. A complete application to the Miami University China Semester includes the following:
- Application Form(pdf)
- A copy of your Miami University transcript (see Office of the Registrar, CAB)
- Disciplinary report(pdf) submitted to Office of Ethics and Student Conflict Resolution. ← Do not leave this until the last minute. It can take up to a week for the disciplinary report to be processed.
Please turn the application form in to the Office of International Education, 216 MacMillan Hall. You can have your transcript sent to the same place. Your disciplinary report will be sent to our office by the ESCR once they have completed it.
Application deadline: October 1, 2008 for spring 2009 semester. We are still accepting applications for fall 2008 - please apply ASAP.
Contact
If you have any questions, please contact Sarah McNitt in the Office of International Education or Adam Arthur at Petters EducAsian.
|
