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May in Asia 2009
Exploring Chinese Culture in Beijing and Xian
May 14 - June 11
History 363: Contemporary Chinese History, Culture and Society
History 362: The Cultural Development of China
English 285: Twentieth-Century Chinese Literature
The Program
This annual summer study abroad program is sponsored by Wheaton College. Each year’s program extends for about four weeks after the end of the spring semester in different locations in Asia. Six academic credits are offered in various disciplines such as History and Literature. The courses focus on the traditions, thought and contemporary culture of the prime location and the surrounding region. In the summer of 2009, the world class city of Beijing and the ancient historic city of Xian will be the center for field trips, special lectures and excursions.
Location and Itinerary
Beijing is the primary study location. For two weeks we will live and study in comfortable surroundings on the campus of Peking University, a beautiful area rich in history, and will take numerous field trips to augment our reading and classroom study. Guest lecturers and guides, scholars and historical sites are also part of our time in the Chinese capital. Sites to be visited include the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven and Ricci Tombs.
Xian, once the world's largest city and China's capital for eleven dynasties, will be visited on an excursion from Beijing. From this ancient walled city, we will visit the life-size Army of Terra Cotta Warriors from the tomb of the first emperor and other locations important to the Chinese heritage.
These locations will provide outstanding resources and adventurous experiences for our month of exciting study and living in China. We use major trans-Pacific air carriers. Throughout the program our housing facilities are those of Asian guest houses, tourist hotels and schools which are comfortable, well-suited to our purposes, and centrally located.
Academic Program and Courses
Open to all students regardless of major, the courses take an interdisciplinary approach in order to maximize the resources we will find in China. All participants must take History 363 for credit as an overall orientation to the program’s content. Students may register for any of the other courses to a minimum of four (4) hours and maximum of six (6) semester hours. The courses include:
History 363: Tradition and Change in Modern Chinese Culture. An analysis of the continuity and change in Asian society since the 19th centuryh and the role of China in contemporary culture. The course focuses on such themes as the development of CHinese society, the impact of European culture, economic development, and the role of China in the modern international and regional situation. It will explore the interface of cultures, the impact of World War II, and the area's rise to prominence over the last two hundred years. Lectures and field trips will augment the study. Required of all participants. 2 hours.
History 362: The Cultural Development of China. A description of the development of traditional society and its impact on China using the rich resources of our locations. Themes include the early development of Chinese civilization, cultural exchange along the Silk Road, hallmarks of traditional China, early Christian missionary efforts, and the historic significance of China. When taken with History 363, this course will meet the general education requirement in History or the non-Western requirement for the History major or teacher certification. 2 hours.
English 285: Twentieth-Century Chinese Literature. The course will feature an array of works from the remarkably turbulent and formative 20th century. We will begin with the classic by Jung Chang, Wild Swans, which chronicles a hundred-year sweep of social, cultural, and political upheavals of Chinese life by focusing on three generations of Chinese women: from the warlord period to civil war to foreign occupation and internal revolution--all the way down to the author's emergence as expatriate chronicler. Other works will tie into the sites we visit and extend our journey imaginatively to other times and places, as well. The course satisfies either two hours of the general education requirement in literature or the English major requirement for Special Topics. 2 hours.
There is a day-long on-campus academic orientation for the trip on Saturday, April 18, which is requirement of all participants.
 Wheaton College Faculty
Chuck Weber founded the Asia Study Program in 1974 and has led it twelve times. His special interests are the history of Asian Christianity, Western impacts on Asia, and East Asian international relations. He has traveled regularly in Asia, taught in Asian graduate programs, and done research on Asian topics in Asia, the US and Europe. His wife, Linda, will also help with program activities.
Wayne Martindale has taught at Wheaton since 1981. He is a specialist on C. S. Lewis. His most life-changing experiences have been on sabbaticals in China (1989 and 1995), trips with students (2002 and 2005), and most recently two years of university teaching in three univerisities in Beijing (2006-2008). His wife, Nita, will be assisting too. She is a teacher and TESOL instructor.
Cost
Every effort is made to keep the costs for the program low, despite the high cost of travel to Asia, so that students can take advantage of this opportunity. Expenses are comparable to those of on-campus summer programs. The cost for the program includes:
- Round trip trans-Pacific air fare departing from and returning to Chicago
- All housing and most meals
- Tuition for up to 6 hours and visa fees
- Local transportation for course-related field trips and admittance fees for program activities
- Guest lectures and Christian service
opportunities
- Numerous field trips to historical, religious, cultural, and recreational sites
- Meeting Asian students, leaders, officials, and Christians
For those applying by December 15, the approximate cost is $4,800 for all the above (tuition, transportation, room and board). For those applying by the aplpication deadline of December 15, there is a $300 savings so the program cost is $4,500 for early applications. Final cost will be determined by February 1.
Financial Aid
Wheaton students may be eligible for financial aid through the college. Application for summer school aid is made through the Financial Aid Office.
Application Form
The application form, available from Professor Weber or the History Department, should be completed with the deposit as soon as you are sure that you intend to go because it reserves a place for you. A $500.00 deposit is due with the application and refundable through December 15 . While we will continue to accept aplpications as long as places remain, December 15 is the deadline to receive the $300 price break. It is also advisable to apply as soon as possible since preference will be given to those who apply early with a paid deposit.
For Further Information Contact:
Prof. Charles W. Weber
Wheaton’s May in Asia Program
History Department
Blanchard 208
Wheaton College
Wheaton, IL 60187
Phone: 630.752.5863
Charles.W.Weber@Wheaton.edu
Prof. Wayne Martindale
English Department
Blanchard 305
Wheaton College
Wheaton, IL 60187
Phone: 630.752.5787
waynemartindale@gmail.com
To print this information out, download the brochure in PDF format.
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