East Asian Studies 290: Wittenberg in China: On the Silk Road
May 16th through June 16th 2010
In China: Xi’an, Jiayuguan, Dunhuang, Turfan, Urumqi, Hotan, Beijing
On the Silk Road is a unique, interdisciplinary course designed to introduce students to some of the peoples, cultures and history of China. Uniquely, this course explores the historic and contemporary interactions and exchanges between China and "the West", between Han and non-Han along the western periphery that make modern China a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic state.
The Silk Road is both a metaphor for the historic exchanges of religions, arts, material goods, ideas and peoples of China, India, Persia, Mongolia and the rest of the "west", as well as the actual locations where such exchanges took place. Students will explore both.
This course is designed for students to learn about, learn from, and learn by doing as they study and travel along the Silk Road. Through assigned readings, class lectures and discussions, visits to cultural and historic sites, interactions with Chinese students, artisans and families, explorations of cities and villages, experiential learning activities, and independent explorations, students will gain an understanding of China, their own culture, and themselves. Students are required to: complete all mandatory University forms and orientation assignments; attend and actively participate in daily class, de-briefing and/or reflection meetings; complete all assignments; write daily reflection journals; develop an individual interest project which will culminate in a short formal paper and presentation.
Open to all majors and minors; no Chinese language required 6 credit hours; meets Wittenberg general education requirements C or S, and may substitute for MGMT 250 – International business for some students. Credit hours & general education requirements Number of participants: 12 to 20 students
Projected cost $4,200 to $5,200 plus international airfare to/from China, passport and visa, subject to change due to inflation and/or exchange rate fluctuations. The programs costs include all expenses for students in China related to the program. Additional tuition fees for non-Wittenberg students: $540.
Contact program directors for more information:
Dr. Stephen Smith, Professor of Anthropology & East Asian Studies
e-mail: srsmith@wittenberg.edu; office: Carnegie 110C; 603-327-7056
Dr. Marcia Frost, Associate Professor of Economics & East Asian Studies
e-mail: mfrost@wittenberg.edu; office : Synod 112A ; 937-327-7935
This program has been approved by
the Field Studies Committee and the Provost’s Office.
