The Autumn quarter Beijing program is constructed around a three-quarter civilization sequence, treating aspects of East Asian culture, history, politics and society. This sequence is taught in English by Chicago professors, its emphasis shifting from year to year in accordance with the interests and expertise of that year's faculty. While China, in keeping with the location of the program, will hold a central position in the sequence, some professors may choose to focus on other Asian countries such as Korea or Japan. In addition to the civilization sequence, students take a fourth course in Chinese language, taught at various levels, designed to facilitate their access to the local culture.
Beijing itself, the fabled “Northern Capital” of the Ming Dynasty, now the political and cultural capital of modern China, plays a key role in this program, and a series of excursions and site visits helps connect the courses with the physical reality, past and present of China.
Headquarters for the College’s study abroad programs in Beijing is the University of Chicago Center in Beijing, located in the Haidian District on the campus of Renmin University. The Chicago Center in Beijing features classrooms, offices for faculty, student gathering spaces, computer facilities and conference areas. For participants in Chicago’s programs the Center in Beijing provides a focus for academic activities, a central meeting place and a continuing “Chicago presence” within one of the major capitals of Asia.
Students in the Beijing Social Sciences program reside in the modern and newly renovated international student dormitory on the Renmin University campus, a few minutes’ walk to the Center in Beijing and immediately accessible via the subway line 4. Students live in furnished, shared suites with bath, internet, phone and television, as well as access to on-site kitchen and laundry facilities. The residence hall also offers a coffee shop, a convenience store, and 24-hour security and reception. With their student ID cards, participants can take advantage of a variety of university facilities including dining halls, a comprehensive gym and a library.
Participants in the Beijing program remain registered as full-time students in the College. They take and receive credit for four courses: the three-course East Asian Civilizations sequence and the Chinese in Beijing course, taught by Renmin University language instructors. The civilization sequence meets the College's civilization requirement. Students who have already met this requirement may use these courses as electives. Their use, partial or total, in a program of study (major) must be approved by the undergraduate chair of the student’s respective major. The language course will normally count as an elective. Please note: this course is not keyed to Chicago's Chinese language sequences and will not normally be usable toward Chicago's language requirement. It is possible, however, for a program participant to sit for a Chinese placement examination after returning from Beijing and in this way continue the study of Chinese at Chicago (indeed this is very much encouraged). Course titles, units of credit and grades are placed on the College transcript.
Students interested in getting a head start in Chinese are urged to take advantage of the optional Chinese Language Pre-Session, an intensive series of Chinese language courses held in September and hosted by Renmin University. This option is available to students at all levels of Chinese, including those with no previous coursework in the language. There is a modest surcharge for instruction and accommodation. Students who attend the Chinese Language Pre-session will not receive a separate grade for that segment. Instead, the evaluation of the pre-session work will be folded into the grade for the regular language course (CHIN 15000).
Study abroad students pay regular College tuition, a program fee and a non-refundable study abroad administrative fee. The tuition and program fee are paid in conformity with the home campus payment schedule, and the non-refundable study abroad administrative fee is submitted when accepting a place in a program. Precise figures for the Beijing program during the 2012-2013 year are listed below:
Autumn tuition: $14,527
Study abroad administrative fee: $550
Beijing program fee: $4,200
| Program fee includes: | Out of pocket expenses include: |
|---|---|
| accommodation | round-trip airfare to and from the program site |
| instruction | transportation on site |
| student support | meals |
| program excursions | course materials |
| cell phone (device only) | personal entertainment and travel |
| communications (including cell phone usage) | |
| other miscellaneous expenses |
Study abroad students retain their financial aid eligibility. For more information about financial aid resources, please see our Tuition, Fees, and Funding section.
The Beijing program is open to University of Chicago undergraduate students only. Applications from outside the University are not accepted.
The program is designed for undergraduates in good standing who are beyond their first year in the College. While the program stipulates no minimum grade-point average, an applicant’s transcript should demonstrate that they are a serious student who will make the most of this opportunity. Because the civilization sequence is taught in English, there is no language prerequisite, although students are encouraged to take Chineseon campus before the program begins.
Because of the considerable demand for the Chicago civilization programs abroad, no student may participate in more than one of these programs. Each application is examined on the basis of the student's scholastic record, personal statement and academic recommendation. If you are interested in applying for this program please fill out the online application.
To discuss the Beijing program and the possibility of participating in it, please contact Elana Kranz.
Colin Day, '12
Danielle Dai, '10
Karissa Woienski, '13
Karissa Woienski, '13
Colin Day, '12
Karissa Woienski, '13
Colin Day, '12
