The China Abroad is an intensive, two-quarter multi-disciplinary learning program. During Winter Quarter, 1999, we will study Asian politics (Pol Sci 263: Topics in in Asian Politics) as we develop into a fit learning team (PE #tba: Team Dynamics). During Spring Quarter, 1999, we will spend ten intensive weeks in China and Mongolia -- learning some of the language, culture, history, politics, geography, and arts. We will study Chinese (Mandarin) 3-4 hours a day for five weeks, study the Chinese influences on its political culture, and conduct our own individualized research projects on topics of public policy. The extended travel into Mongolia is to enable us to engage in cross-cultural comparisons.

Each of us will become an expert and conduct our own research into a different aspect of China -- geography, education, the role of women, religion, industry, art, literature, crime or law enforcement, the Chinese Communist Party, environmental crisis, urbanization, population, relations with America or Japan or Russia, ethnic minorities, mass communication, the treatment of children, Chinese "Generation X," the Cultural Revolution, economic development. The goal is to use the subject to help understand present policies and forecast future policies. Each project will tie into a fuller appreciation of the political behavior of the Chinese and their government. As a learning team, we will constantly share our insights and discoveries, and assist each other in our explorations.

Our field research will include observations, including participation; on-site visits, accompanied by discussion and analysis; meetings with public officials and private citizens; tours and lectures at cultural and historical sites and events; and constant debriefings and personal reflection.

The language training is to give us rudimentary tools for communication and, more importantly, self-confidence to reach across the barrier of culture! We will have extensive contact with the Chinese -- we can't escape. There are no "days off." We can't "get away." We must be willing and able to breech our barriers. It will be demanding, tiring, rewarding.

We will engage in a multi-faceted program of preparation. We will strive to develop into a physically fit, learning team. We will learn new research skills, and then identify and focus on our individual projects. Finally, we will get up-to-date on what is happening in China and Mongolia.