China: Past and Present, Summer 2019

DEADLINE EXTENDED: Apply by March 18, 2019

This immersive,15-credit program in Guangzhou (Canton) introduces students to the culture, history, language, and philosophy of China. Guangzhou, an ancient city adjacent to Hong Kong in southern China, played a central role in China's history and continues to take center stage in China's modern emergence.

Guangzhou offers a huge variety of cultural and historical sites that reflect elements of China’s traditional past, including elements of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism, which form a “three-legged” foundation for Chinese thought and continue to have an impact on Chinese society today. Students will examine these philosophies, in addition to China’s global issues during the 20th century and modern Chinese culture today. Students may also take an optional Mandarin Chinese course as part of this program.

Following the four-week in-country portion of the program, students will continue to engage in study abroad related coursework online.  Between July 22 and August 23, 2019, students will be required to participate in a schedule of activities that will incorporate material from all three of the program courses.

This study abroad program is taught by Drs. Mary Hanneman, Yi Li and Lily Li from UW Tacoma and Tacoma Community College. 

Academic Content

This program does not require any prerequities or language requirements. Students receive a total of fifteen credits for the program as follows:

THIST 251  Global 20th Century (5 credits)

Surveys the interactive political, economic, cultural, and social developments that shaped the 20th-century world to the present, using China’s and Guangzhou’s 20th century experience as an entry point.

Learning Goals Include:

Understand the historical and continuing impact of main issues in the global experience of the 20th century, including

• Imperialism and colonialism
• Communism and its opponents
• Nationalism, ultra-nationalism and Fascism
• Race, racism and their impact on international relations and politics
• Cold War politics and international relations

TPHIL 315 Chinese Philosophy (5 credits)

This course introduces to students the major intellectual currents in China focusing on Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism.

Learning Goals Include:

• Identify and explain the unique paradigms and assumptions that help shape the Chinese worldview.
• Identify and explain changes in the Chinese worldview over time
• Evaluate these changes in the contemporary period.
• ​Explain Chinese traditional and modern culture to a greater audience.

TIAS 480 Experiencing China (5 credits)

This course will introduce students to Chinese culture and our host cities. Topics will include Chinese language, art, calligraphy, martial arts, foodways, and other topics. These topics will be explored through a combination of field trips, lectures, discussion, and written assignments.

Learning Goals Include:

• Develop a theoretical understanding through the direct experience of Chinese society, culture, history, and philosophy
• ​Develop intercultural knowledge and understanding.
• Develop reflective skills based on their reflections on globalization, experiences in a foreign country, inter-cultural interactions, discussions and presentations with their peers and instructors, both Chinese and American.

Optional: TCHIN 201 Chinese Language (5 credits)

Students can choose to enroll in TCHIN 201 instead of TIAS 480. This class is a continuation of CHIN 103. Prerequisite: minimum grade of 2.0 in CHIN 103.

Learning Goals Include:

• Listening: Be able to understand paragraph-length utterances pertaining to a wide range of topics relating to daily life.
• Speaking: Be able to handle successfully a wide range of task-oriented and social functions pertaining to various topic areas. Will be able to narrate, describe, compare and contrast.
• Reading: Be able to identify key facts and some details in descriptive material on daily life, news events, and carefully written personal communications.
• Writing: Be able to take notes in some detail; Write notes and simple letters, brief synopses, summaries and biographical data such as work and school experience.

Program Schedule

All work will be completed by the end of Summer Term A, allowing students the option of taking Term B courses during summer quarter. The program runs from June 23 - July 21, 2019.

Housing

Students will be staying in hotels. Rooms are double occupancy; single rooms may be requested in advance (depending on availability; additional fees apply). Rooms include bathroom with western-style toilet and are equipped with a telephone, television, air conditioning, bed linens and towels. The hotel has convenient access to public transportation.

Field Trips

The program includes several field trips that will allow students to see actual artifacts and cultural and historic sites, including Confucian academies, Taoist shrines, Buddhist temples, traditional Hakka residences, battle sites of the Opium War, Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s old residence, the Whampoa military academy, and others. All costs associated with this these field trips (transportation, entrance fees, and in some cases, meals) are included in the program fee.

Student Eligibility

Undergraduates from any UW campus may apply. The program best suits undergraduate students with or without previous experience related to China.  History and philosophy students will find the program attractive. The credits can be applied toward the UWT/ IAS Asian Studies minor.  We also welcome applications from non-matriculated students. Students who have not yet earned a high school diploma or equivalent are not eligible for our study abroad programs. 

Application Deadline

Applications are due on January 31, 2019. Applicants will be notified of acceptance decisions by February 12, 2019. Once accepted to the program, applicants will need to confirm their participation in the program by February 26, 2019. Click the "Apply Now" button below to begin.

Travel Documents and Insurance

All program participants must have a valid passport in order to travel to China.

Visas

For up-to-date information regarding obtaining a visa to enter China, please contact program leaders Drs. Mary Hanneman or Yi Li. The UW Tacoma Office of Global Affairs is also available for support.

The cost and requirements for obtaining visas vary. It is your responsibility to determine visa requirements for all countries you plan to visit while abroad including countries that you plan to visit before or after your study abroad program. This is an especially important consideration if you are planning to do more than one study abroad program.

Insurance

The University of Washington requires students engaged in educational activities abroad – including study, research, internships or community engagement – to purchase UW Student Abroad Insurance. If you are a current UW student, you are required to purchase coverage UW Student Abroad Insurance. Details are on the UW Study Abroad Insurance page.

Program Cost

The program fee is $5,860.

Included in the cost of the program:

• $450 in study abroad administrative fees
• Instruction (15 credits)
• Housing and some meals 
• Program activities and program travel
• Airport pick-up and drop-off in China

Not included:

• Airfare
• UW Student Abroad Insurance
• Transportation to and from the airport in the U.S.
• Personal expenses (phone calls, eating out, etc.)
• Textbooks
• Visa cost

Payment Due Date: July 12, 2019

Program fees will be posted to your MyUW student account and can be paid the same way that you pay tuition and other fees. Check your MyUW Account periodically for due dates.

Withdrawals

The $450 UW Study Abroad Fees are non-refundable once a contract has been submitted. Students withdrawing from a program are responsible for paying a percentage of the program fee depending on the date of withdrawal. More details about the withdrawal policy are included in your payment contract. No part of the program fee is refundable once the program has begun. The date of withdrawal is considered the business day a withdrawal form is received by the Office of Global Affairs. Notice of withdrawal from the program must be made in writing by completing the following steps:

1. Provide notice in writing to the program director that you will no longer be participating in the program.
2. Submit a signed withdrawal form to the Office of Global Affairs. 

Financial Aid and Scholarships

• A large percentage of UW students utilize financial aid to study abroad. Most types of financial aid can be applied to study abroad fees.
• For UW Tacoma students, you can submit a revision request to increase the amount of aid for the quarter you are studying abroad. These additional funds are usually awarded in the form of loans. To apply, fill out a revision request form, attach the budget sheet (available via the link at the top of this brochure) and submit these documents to the UW Tacoma Office of Financial Aid. 
• For UW Seattle or Bothell Students, you can apply by filling out a revision request form, attach the budget sheet (available via the link at the top of this brochure) and submit these documents to the Office of Financial Aid. 
• Consult the Financial Aid section of our website for more information on applying for financial aid, special considerations for summer and early fall programs, and budgeting and fundraising tips
• Please also review this list of scholarships: these are opportunities that can help fund your study abroad experience. Please note that many of them have deadlines before your study abroad application is due. For help with the application process, please contact uwtintl@uw.edu.

Budgeting Tools

We understand that figuring out your finances for study abroad can be complicated, and we are here to help. Here are some ways to find additional support:

• Click on the Budget Sheets link at the top of this brochure to view the estimated budget of all expenses for this program.
• UW Tacoma students can attend a How to Fund Your Study Abroad event - more information is on the Events page of our website.

Changes in Cost or Scope of Program

In the event of significant devaluations of the dollar, some adjustments to program activities may be necessary. If there are any political events that might compromise the safety of the participants, a rescheduling or cancellation of the program may be necessary. If such changes occur, students will be notified of the changes and options will be presented.

Orientation

To be eligible to study abroad, all program participants must attend an online pre-departure orientation facilitated by UW Study Abroad as well as your program-specific orientations, offered by your program directors. Orientation must be completed prior to the enrollment deadline for the quarter that you are studying abroad.

Program Cancellation

If viable enrollment is not reached by April 1, 2019 the program will be cancelled. Participants will be notified and the administrative and program fees will be refunded.

Disability Accommodations

The University of Washington is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, and education for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation for this program, contact Disability Resources for Students at least 8 weeks in advance of your departure date. Contact info at tacoma.uw.edu/drsuwt.