Capstone Academic Research Project

One important and distinctive component of the Alliance programs in China is the Capstone Academic Research Project, in which students delve into a particular area of interest over the course of the semester as part of their academic work. These projects challenge students to engage with Chinese people from various walks of life and deepen their understanding of an aspect of Chinese society, culture, business practices, or current policy.

The Capstone Project is intended as a research project that makes use of more than academic readings and secondary source materials (such as published research data and other findings). While these are potentially very important components of any research project and should be part of the project, the Capstone is more importantly intended to be a one in which students take advantage of being in China. The work will not only be more interesting but students will learn a great deal by using the resources that they would not have access to at their home universities. Students incorporate interviews, participant observation, and other methods to develop a final paper and presentation. Many students develop this project as part of a senior thesis or broader research project in the future.

The Capstone Project is a graded component of the required course taught in English -- China: Economic Giant at the SUFE program. The Capstone Research Project comprises 40% of the grade for this course. Graded project work includes a project abstract with a problem statement and research methodology outline, powerpoint presentation during the last two weeks of class, and a final paper of 3,000 words.

Examples of Alliance Students' Capstone Projects at SUFE

• What Role Will Central Planning Play in China's Future Economic Development?
• Currency Revaluation and China's Influence in the Global Economy
• China's Illegitimate Market for Fake Designer Clothing and Accessories
• The Impact of Foreign Direct Investment on Economy and Society
• China's Brain Drain - Will It Continue?
• Advertising in China - Health and Beauty Marketing in a Gendered Business Culture
• Starbucks: Transforming China One Cup of Coffee at a Time
• The Pre-Mature Aging of China (Implications of the one-child policy on China's pension system)
• Human Trafficking Behind the Scenes
• Inhaling China: China's Smoking Culture and Cigarette Industry
• NBA and Basketball: The Impact on China
• Sex Toy Consumption
• Stimulation for Education (ADHD and Adderall)
• The Hong Kong Economy: Inquiry, Investigation and Comparison
• Thinking Forward: The Economic Implications of China's Hukou System What Role Will Central Planning Play in China's Future Economic Development?

For more Capstone project ideas from Alliance students in all our China programs, click here.