IRP300.1 The Other China: Ethnic Minorities, Development & Environment (Signature Seminar; Fall)

IRP300.1 The Other China: Ethnic Minorities, Development & Environment (Signature Seminar; Fall)

China’s 56 ethnic minorities number 100 million and occupy nearly half of the country’s territory – a vast area rich in natural resources that borders 14 other countries. During a 13-day seminar we examine the impact of globalization and development on China’s culturally diverse peoples, natural environment and animal habitats. Through on-site visits to tribal villages, water projects and nature preserves in Yunnan and Sichuan provinces in Southwest China, students explore the complex challenges of creating public policy in the face of conflicting interests: how to balance preservation of ethnic heritage vs. influence of the dominant culture; economic development vs protection of the natural environment; the needs of humans and animal life on the frontier vs the populations of the center and coastal regions. During the semester the focus shifts to sustainable development and the impact on China’s future from political, economic and social perspectives.

This Signature Seminar is required for Beijing undergraduate participants; graduate students have option to audit. This course can also be registered as GEO/PSC 300.1.

HST443 Culture, Confucianism and Chinese Modernity (Fall, Spring)

In this course students will gain an understanding of contemporary China from historical and cultural perspectives and an explanation of why so many political and ideological conflicts happen between China and the West. We will discuss the patterns of Chinese culture based on recent research and analyze how the character of East Asian people has been shaped. We will also study the impact of Confucianism on Chinese society and its influence outside of China. We will examine the success of East Asian modernization after the Cold War as the most dynamic region of sustained economic growth and political development since World War II. Cross-listed as ANT 403.

HST300.1 The Changing Faces of China: Evolving Chinese Cultural Identities (Fall, Spring)

This course will introduce students to Chinese culture and its diversity through examination of the traditions and evolving identities of the Chinese people. By considering what China was like in the past, what continues to influence it, what has changed, where the forces of its influence are coming from and how they have impacted Chinese society, students will be able to draw a more accurate and nuanced picture of China and truly understand its people. The course will combine classroom lectures and discussions with field trips and direct interactions with Chinese people. Can also be registered under FLL 300.1.

This course will not be offered in Fall 2017.

GEO300.1 The Other China: Ethnic Minorities, Development & Environment (Signature Seminar; Fall)

China’s 56 ethnic minorities number 100 million and occupy nearly half of the country’s territory – a vast area rich in natural resources that borders 14 other countries. During a 13-day seminar we examine the impact of globalization and development on China’s culturally diverse peoples, natural environment and animal habitats. Through on-site visits to tribal villages, water projects and nature preserves in Yunnan and Sichuan provinces in Southwest China, students explore the complex challenges of creating public policy in the face of conflicting interests: how to balance preservation of ethnic heritage vs. influence of the dominant culture; economic development vs protection of the natural environment; the needs of humans and animal life on the frontier vs the populations of the center and coastal regions. During the semester the focus shifts to sustainable development and the impact on China’s future from political, economic and social perspectives.

This Signature Seminar is required for Beijing undergraduate participants; graduate students have option to audit. This course can also be registered as IRP/PSC 300.1.

COM400.1 Chinese Media and Mass Communications (Fall, Spring)

This course provides an overview of the Chinese media and communication system, with a focus on current issues and controversies surrounding the changing Chinese media landscape. Combining political economic and cultural approaches, this course surveys a broad range of topics regarding Chinese media, culture and society, including the history, development, and organization of Chinese media system, the debate over the political implications of media commercialization, the democratic potentials and limitations of the Internet, and the development of social media and Internet culture, such as online activism, cyber-nationalism, online gender politics, fan subtitle groups, the “counterfeits” of media technologies. Students are encouraged to explore the richness and complexity of Chinese media and communication in their political, economic, and sociocultural contexts.

FLL300.1 The Changing Faces of China: Evolving Chinese Cultural Identities (Fall, Spring)

This course will introduce students to Chinese culture and its diversity through examination of the traditions and evolving identities of the Chinese people. By considering what China was like in the past, what continues to influence it, what has changed, where the forces of its influence are coming from and how they have impacted Chinese society, students will be able to draw a more accurate and nuanced picture of China and truly understand its people. The course will combine classroom lectures and discussions with field trips and direct interactions with Chinese people. Can also be registered under HST 300.1.

This course will not be offered for the Fall 2017 semester.

ANT403 Culture, Confucianism and Chinese Modernity (Fall, Spring)

In this course, students will gain an understanding of contemporary China from historical and cultural perspectives and an explanation of why so many political and ideological conflicts happen between China and the West. We will discuss the patterns of Chinese culture based on recent research and analyze how the character of East Asian people has been shaped. We will also study the impact of Confucianism on Chinese society and its influence outside of China. We will examine the success of East Asian modernization after the Cold War as the most dynamic region of sustained economic growth and political development since World War II. Cross-listed as HST 443.