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Fine Arts
The definition of a monument is fluid and dynamic, evolving with history not only to bear witness to the past but also to point towards future trends. The course explores the idea of monuments by surveying the outstanding examples of Chinese visual culture, including Buddhist art, ancient bronzes, ceramic vessels and sculpture, Beijing's architectural wonders, the Chinese painting tradition, and contemporary Chinese art. We will make extensive use of actual objects, taking advantage of TBC's own collection of Chinese art and artifacts that spans approximately four thousand years. As much as possible, the classes on architectural monuments will be taught on-site to reinforce the scope and grandeur of Beijing's urban and architectural history. Painting history will be taught chronologically, but focused on the thematic issues unifying the major works of each phase rather than simply a historical overview of Chinese painting. Ultimately students will work towards conceptualizing meaningful new monuments of Chinese visual for the twenty-first century in relationship to the monuments of the past. Click here to download the complete syllabus.
This is an introductory drawing course. The student needs no pre-reqisites nor prior experience to succeed in this course. Beijing is our laboratory and the topic of all our drawings. When the student has completed this course they can draw Trees, buildings, automobiles, vegetables, human beings in real life situations and in perspective.
Each class addresses in the appropriate sequence: 1) Use of materials, 2) Focusing/targeting of subject matter, 3) Composition of drawing, 4) Comprehension of subject matter (such as trees, buildings, vistas, etc.), 5) Human Being's movements, 6) Use of color. 7) Assembling disparate elements into a credible scene. Click here to download the complete syllabus.
Business / Economics
This course will focus on China's economic relations with the rest of the world. With an historical overview as background, it will concentrate on China's trade and foreign investment during the reform era (1978-present). Students will examine the roles of foreign trade and investment in China's rapid economic growth and some of the issues that has fostered, especially with the U.S. The course will discuss the reform of China's state-owned enterprises and the government's strategy to create national champions that can compete globally, and the implications of that policy. The students will learn about the WTO and the significance of China's membership in that organization. The different strategies of various investors in China will be examined and the students will participate in am M&A negotiation simulation. Click here to download the complete syllabus.
This course is to provide background knowledge and some economic analysis about major aspects of the Chinese economic and business system. Students will acquire knowledge of Chinese economic reform, international trade, foreign direct investment, State-owned enterprises, Chinese logistics system, rural and urban economy in China. It is designed to benefit those students who have an interest in Chinese economy and business. Click here to download the complete syllabus.
This course is designed to give students a deeper understanding of the issues managers must consider when making financial decisions. The course discusses time value of money, cost of capital, the theory of capital budgeting, capital budgeting in practice, options, derivatives application, agency theory, capital market efficiency and capital structure management, as well as special topics on corporate finance.
This course should help prepare students for careers in commercial and investment banking, corporate financial management, as well as more general business careers that have a substantial finance component. Click here to download the complete syllabus.
Course Pre-requisites: Junior standing; prior college courses in Introductory Accounting, Microeconomics and Business Statistics all with minimum grade of C-. Check with The Beijing Center Chicago Office to discuss whether you have the necessary pre-requisites for this course.
International Business Ethics is a new academic subject at the crossroad of different sciences such as law, economics, sociology, anthropology, philosophy and theology. The course would like to introduce to the main concepts of ethics in a broad international perspective, but with a constant focus of the Chinese context, with a particular emphasis on the evaluation of 30 years open door policy in China. Click here to download the complete syllabus.
This course provides an overview of management functions, fundamental principles of organization behavior, individual differences, motivation and leadership for beginning management majors. First, we will review the basic functions of management to provide an overview of this career. Second, we consider various topics in understanding the various influences on worker attitudes and behaviors so that you can better manage your workforce and thus guide them toward realizing organizational objectives. Click here to download the complete syllabus.
This course aims to establish a basic understanding and appreciation of the theories and practices of marketing, and how marketing interacts with the entire business process. Fundamental marketing concepts, principles, and issues are analyzed within present economic, social, and legal environments. The ethics and social responsibility of marketing will also be considered. Click here to download the complete syllabus.
The goal of this course is to help students obtain a comprehensive understanding about China-US economic relationship. Although the main focus is on the economic aspects, the political ones are touched in many circumstances. We will begin with the big picture about China's economic growth and China-US trade relationship, then we zoom into hot topics such as China-US trade frictions, US FDI in China, trade balance, the exchange rate of RMB, and the protection of intellectual property rights etc.. Prerequisite is mandatory. Any other courses in Economics, Econometrics, Finance will make your life easier in this course. Click here to download the complete syllabus.
Chinese Language
Click here to download the complete syllabus
Click here to download the complete syllabus
Click here to download the complete syllabus
Click here to download the complete syllabus
Click here to download the complete syllabus
Communications
The course will focus on the news media in contemporary Chinese society. Starting with a discussion of propaganda and state control of the free flow of information, the weekly lectures will examine the impact of commercialization and information technology on forging a new media culture, including the ubiquitous use of the Short Message Services (SMS) on mobile phones.
History
The traditional model of Chinese history demarks the past into dynasties and their cycles of emperors. But Chinese society is extremely complex-shaped by different social groups and cultural encounters over many thousands of years. This course will help you better understand the China you see today by looking at China's dynamic and multi-layered past. We won't abandon the traditional dynastic history, but you will also hear and read stories, not just about orphans turned emperors, but about everyday dramas: villagers who protested the acts of magistrates; parents who strove to care for their families and ancestors; "fox spirits" outwitting brilliant young men; and talented women who sought expanded roles. This course begins with the origins of Chinese civilization and ends with the Opium War. Click here to download the complete syllabus.
The aim is to help the students understand how China was created and developed into a modern state. We will go through 12 major events that were crucial in the making of China. This class is a history course, which is built on a thematic basis. The events were chosen either because of the profound influence they had on the course of Chinese history or because of the ways in which they shaped China ideologically.
Our task in this course is to understand the events and processes that occurred and their historical outcomes. We will examine these events from different perspectives: political, social, and cultural history utilizing whenever possible memoirs, oral histories, documentary, as well as primary documents written by China's officials and scholars as well as Westerners.
By the end of this course you will have read different interpretations and experiences to develop a sense of what these event meant for the shaping of modern China's state, economy, institutions, and citizens. We will explore the following events through critical and reflective reading, writing, and discussions. Click here to download the complete syllabus.
The peasant have played an important role in Chinese history, being the main driving force of rebellions and revolutions they have been also of upper importance for the economy. This is true in every agrarian society but apart from India, China is the only country to still have the peasants playing an important role today. Far away from booming coastal regions, peasants in the inner part of China try to make their living, fight for their rights and make their voices heard more often.
This goal of this class is first to give some chronological elements to the students to show them how the situation in rural areas have changed during one and half century. We will start at the end of the nineteenth century and reach contemporary problems. We will read history concentrating on the rural areas. The second goal is to show the students China in a way that they may not be used to so it will be a new way of understanding China. By using this approach we hope the students will have a better understanding of some key problems the Chinese government is facing today. Click here to download the complete syllabus.
Literature
This course is a survey of the classical Chinese literature from ancient time to the fall of Qing Dynasty (1911). Starting with Classic of Odes (shih ching), the most ancient anthology of Chinese poetry which includes 305 poems, the classical Chinese literature bases its development on the features of a language characteristic of ideography, a philosophy combining Confucianism with Taoism and Buddhism, and a history based on centralized imperial reign and literati officialdom, as well as small scale peasant economy. The classical Chinese literature developed different forms and genres during its long history, e.g. classical poetry, lyric, aria, elegy, rhapsody, folk song, narrative verse, parallel prose, classical-language short story, vernacular short story, novel, drama, etc. Through a close study of the important classical Chinese literary works, represented by famous poets and writers such as Ch'ü Yüan, Li Po, Tu Fu, Po Chü-yi, Su Shih, Yüan Chen, Feng Meng-lung, Lo Kuan-chung, Shih Nai-an, Wu Cheng'en, Ts'ao Hsüeh-ch'in, Kuan Han-ch'ing, T'ang Hsien-tsu, etc., students will be able to explore their own ideas of what the wide variety of the classical Chinese literature is like, as well as, to understand the traditional Chinese culture, especially the peculiar philosophy, aesthetics, poetics, and mentality of the Chinese, contained in the classics. They will also find out the different styles and artistic ways used by the poets and writers in their literary creation. Click here to download the complete syllabus.
Modern Chinese fiction has gone through unprecedented development since the dawn of the 20th century and has become increasingly connected with the many-faceted global existence. Knowledge of modern Chinese fiction will enable students to understand central aspects of 20th century Chinese culture.
This course introduces selected fictional works by some of the most insightful writers of modern China. The course focuses on significant aspects of these works with an objective to enhance students' fascination with and skill in the reading and analysis of modern Chinese fiction. Participants in this course will study the writers' moral obligation to expose prevalent spiritual corruption in the face of progress and modernization. The participants will also learn to understand the Chinese writers' emotional intensity as well as their faith in human dignity and wisdom. All readings are in English and there is no prerequisite for this course. Click here to download the complete syllabus.
Philosophy
Buddhism has over twenty-five hundred years of history and has taken root, in one form and another and at one time or another, in virtually every country in Asia. In more recent times, it has found a niche in Western nations as well.
This class aims at giving the students an overview of basic Buddhist doctrine, a introduction of the history of its development in India, China and Tibet and a discussion of certain related religious topics, such as religious experience and asceticism. This class will be divided into three parts, namely, early Buddhism in India, Mahayana Buddhism in China and Tantric practice in Tibet. Each of the three part will be dealt with in the above mentioned doctrinal and historical perspectives. Though this class is primarily a survey class of Buddhist practice, there will be sessions of class addressing specific issues of Buddhist practice. It is considered to be beneficial for the students to dive deeper into certain areas of the vast array of social and cultural phenomena that have clustered in the course of time around a figure called the Buddha. The purpose of doing so is to portray somehow more precisely the thoughts and actions of the large segment of human race who have called themselves Buddhists.
15% to 20% of the class time will be used to have a class discussion on the assigned reading. Several school organized field trips to religious places of worship and Buddhist monasteries as a part of the class activities will provide the students with first hand experience of the living Buddhist practice. Click here to download the complete syllabus.
This course is a survey of the history of Christianity in China. Since Buddhism is recognized as a "Chinese religion", Christianity is the largest "foreign religion" in China now and has a special significance in the relationship between China and other countries. For this reason, the study of the history of Christianity in China constitutes an important basis for understanding the history of the relationship between China and other countries. Through a systematic study of this history, students will acquire knowledge of Christian missions and its inculturation in China, including the four periods of Christian development in China: namely the Nestorian mission in Tang Dynasty, Christianity under Mongols (Nestorian and Franciscan missions), the Jesuits and other Catholic missions in late Ming and early Qing Dynasties, and the Christian missions in general since the 19th century. This course will help students learn the successes and difficulties of the Christian mission in China, and students can discern the similarities and difference between China and the Western countries, in history and at present, and have a better and deeper understanding of Chinese culture. Click here to download the complete syllabus.
International Business Ethics is a new academic subject at the crossroad of different sciences such as law, economics, sociology, anthropology, philosophy and theology. The course would like to introduce to the main concepts of ethics in a broad international perspective, but with a constant focus of the Chinese context, with a particular emphasis on the evaluation of 30 years open door policy in China. Click here to download the complete syllabus.
Through the study of primary sacred texts of China (in translation), this class will provide a basic understanding of Chinese thought and its historical development. Interconnections among the various periods and different schools of Chinese philosophy such as Confucianism, Daoism, Buddhism and Neo-Confucianism will be demonstrated and discussed from ancient through the medieval and modern periods. Click here to download the complete syllabus.
Traditional Chinese philosophy differs tremendously from its western companion. In this course, we investigate Chinese ancient philosophy in a way to let its own tendencies be sensed and appreciated. First, Confucius' Analects is extensively examined to show the original features of Confucianism, which contribute a lot to shaping Chinese civilization. Then, we turn to Mencius, Sunzi, Taoism, Legalism, Yin-Yang School, Tung Chung-shu, Chinese Buddhism and Neo-Confucianism. Besides the topics indicated, the relations among different schools or different thinkers in same school are concerned as well. Comparisons between Chinese philosophies and western ones are encouraged. Click here to download the complete syllabus.
The body of this course consists in studies of four ethical schools in ancient China: Confucianism, Taoism, Mohism and Legalism. Since the course is a philosopher's approach to those schools, the emphasis is upon the philosophical ideals contained in them, rather than upon any extended exegesis of the texts themselves. Specifically, the following structures govern the interpretation of each school: (1) a general introduction of each school: the text, most important characteristics, and influences; (2) central ethical ideas in each school; (3) the role of each school in the formation of a value system in the tradition; and (4) modern meaning of Chinese ethics: a transformation of a Chinese traditional value system into what is called Asian values during the industrialization of Asian countries. The course will concentrate on how to use moral values and personal cultivation to realize the happiness of individuals, while the course Chinese Political Philosophy will concentrate on how to use different kinds of power to keep a harmonious society to realize the happiness as a whole. Comparison between Chinese and Western ethics will be encouraged.
Political Science
This course is an overview and analysis of contemporary China's foreign relations. It examines the interplay between domestic economic change and China's pursuit of external economic ties since the establishment of the People's Republic. Our focus shall be on the period since China began to reform its domestic economic system and on appreciating China's economic relationships with the major powers. We will examine the impact of China's pursuit of wealth through on its international relations.
Contents of the course are organized into 12 thematic topics, each taking up one session's time (see Course Schedule below). The readings listed are far from exhaustive of the vast amount of literature written in English about China's foreign relations. Additionally, selection of course readings was done, purposefully, to familiarize students to Chinese perspectives. This is meant to give students an opportunity to compare and contrast different interpretations themselves, by readings the assigned texts. Of course, students are encouraged to bring to the class's attention other readings that deserve a hearing.
The course shall proceed in seminar style. In each session, after a short lecture by the instructor, the class is open for discussion. Issues that catch the news headlines of the day do have a place in in-class discussions, but they need to be framed against the conceptual/theoretical frameworks as seen in the readings and the instructor's lectures.
This course examines the changes and development having taken place in modern China from a gender perspective and illustrates the process of liberation women have undergone, and are still undergoing, from the long tradition of subordination. It covers the period from the late Qing, through the founding of the People's Republic, to the recent years in which China has moved from a planned economy to a market-based economy and is building towards a "Xiao Kang" (literally in English, "well-off") society in the next couple of decades. Click here to download the complete syllabus.
This course is an examination of how the Chinese state is organized and operates; how Chinese society is composed and conducted; and how the two converge, cooperate and, increasingly, conflict. We will examine a broad swath of the Chinese system, but we will also attempt to address the various complexities of contemporary China with this bilateral and bidirectional focus.
The purpose of this course is to begin to comprehend and to start to speak about the Chinese system in a more sophisticated way. The course is also meant to compel you to engage with the material both inside and outside the classroom, and be able to bring what you learn to where you live and vice versa.
Please note that the readings are extensive: they are also not meant to be inclusive. Use the assigned materials as leverage to open more doors and wedges to hold them open for further inspection. China is a maze, and one is continually looking for ways in, and places to contemplate its many characteristics.
Science
"Traditional Chinese Medicine" has become an essential, if contested, part of the social and political identity of modern China. The official government policy is to support what it calls the "scientific development" of medical thinking and practices modalities associated with the medical traditions indigenous to China, including acupuncture, herbal medicine, qi gong, and orthopedic manipulations. In this class, we will examine the concept of varying traditions of Chinese medicine and how this set of ideas and practices has been used to meet the ideological, political, as well as medical, needs of various groups in China, the United States, and Europe. Students will gain a practical understanding of how practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine are trained and how consumers access treatments. Observing clinical encounters and demonstrations of modalities will be a part of our experience, as students learn about the fundamental ideas and practices that constitute traditional medicine in China today. Click here to download the complete syllabus.
This course provides students with a systematic survey of major environmental issues in China. It begins with an exploration of the philosophical and cultural foundations of Chinese thinking where man and nature is concerned. We then examine the connections between development and the environment in China. Using a set of case studies, this course will also refer to such current environmental concerns as resource management, water pollution quality, and the existing environmental regulatory framework in China. We will also look extensively at policy-making and implementation. This course will also investigate China's role in global environmental issues, such as climate change. There will be a midterm and final examination, and extensive class preparation and participation will be required and evaluated.
Social Sciences
China is a complex whole. Most students can study part of it. Our course is trying to be holistic. Focusing on the ethnic minorities perspective, this lecture is gong to introduce China's cultural diversity and unity as a whole, including its diversified cultural legacies, its governance of ethnic minority affairs, the interaction between the big tradition and little traditions, the paradox of development facing by the minority peoples and the necessity of safeguarding equity of cultural continuity for China to build a harmonious society. The course is based on lectures once a week, most of them delivered by minority scholars or students from different cultural backgrounds, including a Tibetan, a Uyghur and a Mongol, together with Professor Zhang. The whole lecture series is built up with 3 modules in the ratio of 4:3:3 or 4:4:4. Module I is a general introduction of cultural mappings in China. Module II is an elaboration on ethnic minority in North China; Module III focus on major minorities in South China. Each lecture is composed of 3 sections: 1. A brief introduction to an interesting topic for your questions and discussion. 2. Questions and answers to the contents in your reading package. 3 An intensive discussion on a topic or a group for exchanging views to a tentative conclusion. Most of your lecturers will be conducted by Prof. Zhang, Haiyang from the Central University of Nationalities. All guest speakers will be invited by Prof. Zhang from his campus or from the China Tibetology Center in Beijing. A visit to the Campus of the Central University of Nationalities for visiting the campus museum and interacting with minority graduate students over a Uyghur food table is the highlight of this course before your final examination. A deep and favorable impression of China's cultural diversity is the reward to yourself and a legacy to your family. Click here to download the complete syllabus.
The Silk Road was the world's first great superhighway, linking China and Japan to the Mediterranean World across Central Asia from ancient times, via caravans and bazaars. The peoples along the Silk Road not only traded luxury goods, but also ideas, religions, art, culinary and musical traditions. The course is an introduction to the history of cultural, religious and economic interchange across Eurasia from approximately the beginning of the Common Era to approximately the beginning of the eighteenth century. The course will examine subjects such as the importance of Inner Asian physical geography, the interaction of nomadic and sedentary peoples, the spread of important religions and resulting cultural syncretism. It will introduce students to the art of ancient and medieval Eurasia and examine the history of cultural interactions between East Asia and the Mediterranean world, from Roman times until the present day, through the evidence of art and architecture and multi-lingual manuscripts discovered in both Dunhuang and Turfan, two famed oasis cities on the Silk Road. Students will be exposed to some of the great classics of travel literature and fiction. We will try to see monuments of the great trading regions through the eyes of travelers who were seeing these things for the first time-as we will be. Through lectures, reading, site visits and films, we will explore the trade links between East and West, the religions practiced by people along the Silk Road and the art associated with those routes. Primary-source literature will help us understand the great ideas and movements of the times-Zoroastrianism, Manichaeism, Buddhism, Nestorian Christianity, Islam, Christian crusading and Mongol expansion. Click here to download the complete syllabus.
The peasant have played an important role in Chinese history, being the main driving force of rebellions and revolutions they have been also of upper importance for the economy. This is true in every agrarian society but apart from India, China is the only country to still have the peasants playing an important role today. Far away from booming coastal regions, peasants in the inner part of China try to make their living, fight for their rights and make their voices heard more often.
This goal of this class is first to give some chronological elements to the students to show them how the situation in rural areas have changed during one and half century. We will start at the end of the nineteenth century and reach contemporary problems. We will read history concentrating on the rural areas. The second goal is to show the students China in a way that they may not be used to so it will be a new way of understanding China. By using this approach we hope the students will have a better understanding of some key problems the Chinese government is facing today. Click here to download the complete syllabus.
Martial Arts
This is a survey of introductory-level Chinese Wushu, representing Chinese traditional sports. By studying two forms of Wushu (Routine Boxing II of the Primary Class, and the Twenty-four Form Simplified Taijiquan), students will have an opportunity to learn the basic movements and forms of Wushu. An basic understanding of relevant Chinese culture and philosophy are also covered. The students learn a method of exercise and health that can be used lifelong. Click here to download the complete syllabus.
Internship
This course will provide students with an opportunity to get hands-on experience by engaging with China in either a work or volunteer environment. By being placed in an organization, a business corporation, an NGO, or the media, students will gain experience as well as first-hand understanding of China. More importantly, students are strongly encouraged to contribute to the local community.
Students are expected to set a clear goal at the beginning of the course. Students' work is supervised and evaluated by their hosts. An assigned text or two; weekly written reports; and a final report summarizing the student's experiences are also requirements. Approximately 8-10 work hours per week is necessary. Click here to download the complete syllabus.
Prerequisites include one of the following: 2 or more years of Chinese language at the college level; at least a full year in China, engaged in something other than the pursuit of an undergraduate degree; or have spent the previous semester at TBC. Click here to download application form for 08 fall semester.
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