STEPHEN SMITH, Associate Professor of Anthropology, Sociology Department

BACKGROUND:

I am a medical anthropologist and an East Asianist. My research interests include the cross-cultural study of medical systems, especially traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).

In the fall of 1999 I was resident co-director of the Lutheran College China Consortium (LCCC) Hangzhou Program for study in Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, China. (The Hangzhou Program is administered through Valparaiso University.) Zhejiang Provincial University is prestigious and esteemed as the third best institution of higher learning in China. There are numerous colleges in the Zhejiang University system, on several campuses in Hangzhou. Over a period of four months in China I met many civic and academic leaders who suggested programs that appear to be desirable for Wittenberg students and faculty. I will be the liaison bringing together our Wittenberg travel group with a number of possible programs in Hangzhou.

OBJECTIVES:

At all institutions we visit it is my objective to evaluate the quality of the social science and cultural programs being offered. In Hangzhou I have a number of specific goals associated with specific programs.

1. Zhejiang University (ZU), Hangzhou/Yuchuan Campus, International Affairs Office
   This office is the in situ liaison/administrator for both direct exchange students and foreign exchange consortium programs such as the LCCC. Wittenberg has sent two students on the LCCC Hangzhou program. I was co-director in 1999; Prof. Jennifer Oldstone-Moore is seriously interested in being the director in 2003 or 2004.
   
   The LCCC Hangzhou Program is ideal for the type of students the Freeman Foundation grant seeks to support. The program is designed for students with no background in East Asian Studies. Students are required to take Chinese language classes, plus Introduction to China and two other classes about China, taught in English by the resident director. In the fall of 1999 a brand new dormitory was opened for foreign students. The dormitory is all single rooms, each with its own heater/A.C. system, private bathroom (shower, Western style toilet), and phone. Classrooms and a student restaurant are in the building. The level of privacy and familiar comforts in this dormitory make it extremely easy for any student to be in China.
   
   My objective is that we meet with Prof. Ding Jianmin, director of International Affairs. Our visit will reinforce the ZU bond with LCCC in general and with Wittenberg in particular. Such a meeting will increase the ZU responsiveness to the needs of our students.



2. Zhejiang University, Hangzhou/Yuchuan Campus, Valparaiso University Hangzhou Education Center
   
   Valparaiso University's East Asian Studies program was also funded by a Freeman Foundation grant. One element of Valparaiso's proposal is the establishment of a permanent support center in Hangzhou for students and faculty of the Lutheran College China Consortium.
   
   My objective is to visit the Education Center to see what resources are available. The Education Center will be an important resource not only for Wittenberg students who study on the LCCC Hangzhou Program, but also for any visiting faculty members who wish to be the resident director or who have other needs, such as for research.



3. Zhejiang College of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
   
   When I was in Hangzhou I had informal talks with the director and staff of the Foreign Affairs Office of the College of TCM. The College of TCM is one of the most prestigious in China, has a well developed program for teaching TCM to foreigners, and was scheduled to open a newly renovated dormitory and classroom building for foreign students in the fall of 2001. The College of TCM can design a program for us--in English--at any level of academic rigor and including a wide variety cultural addenda, such as classes in music, art, or cooking, as well as sight seeing.
   
   The objective to which I, personally, have the highest commitment is seeing the new facilities of the College of TCM and discussing the creation of a summer field study program where Wittenberg students can study TCM and Chinese culture in English. It is my intention to accompany our students regularly as the faculty administrator, starting as early as the summer of 2003. (Please note that Margaret Goodman is equally committed to the idea of this program, although from the perspective of biomedical science rather than social science.)



4. Zhejiang University of Technology (ZUT)
   
   While in Hangzhou I also met with the director of the Office of International Programs of the International Business School. The ZUT Business School offers to design individualized programs in Chinese business practices and Chinese culture, similar to the arrangements offered by the College of TCM.
   
   My objective is to visit ZUT to evaluate the program in Chinese business and culture. Primary authority for evaluation would fall to Wendy Smith as representative of the Wittenberg Management Department. As with all programs, authority for institutional relations would rest with Garry Gaffield. It is my hope that we can design a summer field study program in Hangzhou where Wittenberg students can opt for either a TCM track or a Chinese business track but come together for cultural studies and sight seeing.

IMPACT:

In sum, as a social science representative of the Wittenberg faculty, I will bring a special perspective to the evaluative process; upon returning to campus, I will be in a position to advise students and faculty about the relative benefits of different programs.

While in Hangzhou I will be able to facilitate relations between our group and several institutions of higher education with whom I already have personal relationships. Most importantly, I hope to develop a joint business/TCM summer field study program for Wittenberg in the Zhejiang University system.

BUDGET:

At the suggestion of Pres. Tipson, we have initiated travel plans through Lotus Travel Inc, of Hong Kong, which is operated by a Wittenberg alum. We requested arrangements for transportation, moderate accommodations, and travel guides while in China. We initially proposed a schedule to visit programs in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Beijing, plus two additional days in each city for flexibility, and a day for travel between each city. We also requested modest Chinese accommodations, rather than four star international hotels. The charges from Lotus include transportation (international and local), hotels, meals, and a travel guide in each city.

ITINERARY:

The attached itinerary is preliminary and is a product of our on going negotiations with contacts in China (see Contacts below) and with our travel agent (Lotus Travel, Hong Kong). In brief, the itinerary is designed to take us to the four major cities where Wittenberg has institutional relations with programs for study in China: Shanghai, Hangzhou, Beijing ,Hong Kong. As you will see in the attached itinerary, our initial plans were to arrive in Hong Kong. Our contacts at City University H.K. confirmed the acceptability of our schedule; however, last week we received word that City University did not wish to meet during the period that was agreed upon. Because our meetings with other institutions were already fixed, we will have to revise our itinerary. We have proposed moving our Hong Kong stop to the end of our tour. The changes in scheduling extend our travel time, bringing the total to 20 days; the extra time is reflected in our estimated budget.

Lotus Travel has requested a deadline of April 12, 2002, for confirmation and deposit.

CONTACTS:

INSERT LIST OF CONTACT INFORMATION