China in the 21st Century: Language and the 2008 Beijing Olympics
A special Alliance program offered only in Summer 2008
Hosted by Beijing Language and Culture University
Summer Curriculum
This unique summer program takes advantage of the excitement surrounding the summer Olympics to be held in Beijing in 2008. Students take 12 class hours per week of Chinese language and select either a special Olympic course offered only in summer 2008 or an Internship. The program dates include the dates of the Olympics (August 8-24, 2008).
Students will also have the chance to participate in volunteer opportunities with companies and organizations involved in supporting or sponsoring the Olympics. These may include help with providing information and translation at Beijing hotels or assisting companies who are official sponsors of the Olympics.
Credit:
Students receive 8 credits for this summer program, including 5 language and 3 non-language credits. The summer program is 8 weeks long, with 7 weeks of instruction.
Courses:
Chinese Language (required, 12 class hours/week, 5 credits)
No prior language study is required for admission. Upon taking a placement exam after arrival, students will be placed into the appropriate language level. All courses emphasize listening, reading, speaking and writing.
- BEIJ CHIN100 Beginning Chinese I
- BEIJ CHIN101 Beginning Chinese II
- BEIJ CHIN200 Intermediate Chinese I
- BEIJ CHIN201 Intermediate Chinese II
- BEIJ CHIN300 Advanced Chinese I
- BEIJ CHIN301 Advanced Chinese II
BEIJ SOBO 270 S - The 2008 Beijing Olympics: Challenges and Opportunities [pdf] (required, 6 class hours per week, 3 credits)
All eyes will be on China during the 2008 summer Olympic games in Beijing. For China, hosting the Olympics presents a range of opportunities and challenges as the country's leaders and people seek to showcase the "New Beijing." China is understandably proud and excited to demonstrate to the world that it can not only host a world-class athletic competition, but also to show that China has arrived as a modern economic and social power. At the same time that China's leaders will seek to present the country's best face to the world, they are also keenly aware of the many challenges and social tensions the country faces and are concerned how the world will perceive the less glamorous side of its rapid changes. In this interdisciplinary course we will explore a range of China's Olympic-related challenges and opportunities, including the environment, human rights, international relations, urban development and cultural change. The course will provide students the timely opportunity to learn first-hand about Beijing's Olympic preparations through on-site field trips and guest lectures from a range of academic and professional experts.
BEIJ INTS380 Internship (3 credits)
Students with at least three semesters of Chinese may elect to participate in an internship to replace one of their courses. Interns are placed in Chinese, joint-venture, or foreign-owned companies. Students spend a minimum of 120 hours working over the course of the summer (20 hours per week) and participate in a discussion seminar which requires a paper and oral presentation of their work. Internships are supervised by a faculty member.
