CHINA: POLITICAL & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

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Location: Beijing, China
Instituion: Peking University
Term: Summer Quarter (2013 Program Dates: June 24 - August 18)
Application Deadline: March 1, 2013
Language Requirement: None - all classes are taught in English
Academic Interests: Global Health, Pre-Med, Social Policy, Alternative and Traditional Medicine, Chinese language

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

The Northwestern IPD China: Political & Economic Development program examines the origins and development of Chinese communism and its influence on modern Chinese political economy. Students will learn about the evolution of Chinese economic institutions and policies, international trade and foreign investment, and labor practices in order to understand recent economic and policy developments and China's growing role in the global economy. Students will also take intensive language classes in Mandarin Chinese. Weekly cultural and historical excursions complement classroom content and offer students a glimpse of Beijing's storied past.

THE UNIVERSITY

Founded in 1898, Peking University, colloquially known as “Beida,” was the first formally established modern national university of China. With over 30,000 students, of which seven percent are international students, Peking University is a premiere institution for education and research, particularly in natural and social sciences. It is frequently ranked as one of the best universities in China. The campus is located in northwest Beijing, in the Haidian district, which is concentrated with many well-known colleges and universities.

COURSES

Contemporary Chinese Political Economy (1 credit)
Students examine China’s contemporary economy since the Maoist era, and evaluate its micro- and macroeconomic policies. Students learn about the factors that led to China’s rapid economic growth as well as the implications on domestic and international levels. This course covers topics such as: the Maoist Era Economy, Debating State Economy Relations in China, International Trade and Foreign Investment, and China’s Regulatory Challenges, among others.
Course Instructor: William Hurst

Politics of Contemporary China (1 credit)
This course introduces students to the key aspects of contemporary Chinese politics, with a focus on the ongoing process of economic and political reforms. Discussion topics include Chinese political history (1949 to present), Chinese government structure and institutions, factional politics, economic reforms and their political implications, corruption, nationalism, and mass media. This course aims to improve students’ factual knowledge about China and to engage them in scholarly debates on these topics.
Course Instructor: Tao Xie

Chinese Language: Interdisciplinary Course (2 credits)
While there is no language prerequisite to participate in the China summer program, students are required to take intensive language training while in China. Seven levels are offered, depending on the student’s skill level. The material covered during the program is equivalent to two quarters of Chinese classes at Northwestern.
Courses are taught by Licheng Gu and other Chinese language instructors from the host university.

EXCURSIONS

Tiananmen Square
The center of Beijing is occupied by the largest square in the world: Tiananmen Square, which translated literally means “Gate of Heavenly Peace”. It was originally built in 1417 but was renovated after the Communist Party gained power in 1949, and it soon became a symbol of Communist power and Mao Zedong.

The Forbidden City
The Forbidden City is located directly in the center of Beijing next to Tiananmen Square and was the Imperial Palace during the last two dynasties, the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). It is the world’s largest imperial complex and is over 500 years old.

The Great Wall
One of the more beautiful locations to visit the Great Wall is called Jinshanling, known as one of the most well preserved sections of the wall. This section is located approximately 125 kilometers to the northeast of Beijing and is 10.5 km long.

The Temple of Heaven
The Temple of Heaven is a complex of religious buildings located in southeast urban Beijing in the Xuanwu District. It is regarded as a Taoist temple, although the worship of Heaven, especially by the reigning monarch of the day, pre-dates Taoism. The Temple of Heaven is the biggest of the four great temples located in Beijing.

The Summer Palace
The Summer Palace was originally built for the Dowager Empress Cixi in the late 1880s for over 50 million USD.

HOUSING & MEALS

Students on all NU-IPD programs in Beijing live in the Zhong Guan Xin Yuan international dormitory in shared suites. Rooms are air-conditioned and furnished. Group lunches with language instructors are provided each weekday, but students are responsible for breakfasts and dinners.

PROGRAM COSTS

Summer 2013 Program Fee= $6,750, which includes tuition, housing, program-related excursions, some meals, visa, and HTH health insurance. Students should also budget $810 for the Study Abroad Administrative Fee, about $2,500 for international airfare, and approximately $2,000 for books and discretionary expenses, including meals, non-program transportation, and incidentals.

Students applying to this program are eligible for IPD Study Abroad Fellowships and may be eligible for external funding opportunities. Students participating in this program are subject to Withdrawal Policies for Northwestern-Sponsored Programs.

For more information about billing, finances, and financial aid for study abroad, please refer to the Money Matters resource page of the Study Abroad Office website or contact Krista Buda in the Financial Aid Office.