Spend May Term in China, Beijing and Shanghai

Dear Students,

There is an exciting opportunity to travel to China for three weeks, earn credits, and practice your Chinese. Chris Isett (History at UMN) and Doug Hartmann (Sociology at UMN) are leading a three week class in Beijing and Shanghai that focuses on the Olympic Games and asks the important questions "where is China heading".
For details, go to http://www.igs.cla.umn.edu/abroad/china.html
Also check out the information given below.
Best,
Chris Isett
____________________________________________________________________

What: The Beijing Olympics, 2008: Sports and Globalization
Where: China
When: May Term, 2008
Who: Christopher Isett (Professor of Modern Chinese History) and Doug Hartman (Professor of Sociology).

Beijing Olympics, 2008: China, Sports and Globalization?is an exciting chance to study in China and earn credits. In 2008, the Summer Olympics will be held in Beijing. International and Chinese human rights organizations, corporations, environmental groups, the athletes, urban developers, city planners, and even Steven Spielberg are all getting involved. We will be examining how the diverse groups all have a stake in the Games and where sports fit in the new global order. Many are interested in how the Games are and will change China. We will certainly ask that question. But, we will also be asking how China is changing the Games and the world. We will spend three weeks in May and June in Beijing and Shanghai, China抯 two most important cities. We will be meeting and interviewing those who are preparing for the games: The Beijing Olympic Committee that is organizing and hosting the Games, Chinese city planners and environmental groups that are preparing the city, Chinese athletes and trainers. We will also be meeting Chinese students at one of China抯 most prestigious Sports Universities and spending time with them to better understand their aspirations and plans for the Games and after. We will be hearing from Chinese scholars about the history of sports in China and the effects of globalization on Chinese politics, culture, and society. We will be meeting with businesses that have a stake in the games and we will visit the venues and see some trial sporting events.

We will of course have time to see the sights: the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace, the Temple of Heaven and other wonderful places.

Your instructors are Christopher Isett (Professor of History) and Doug Hartmann (Professor of Sociology). Chris Isett is a China specialist who teaches and researchers on Chinese economy, society, and politics. Doug Hartmann is a specialist in the sociology of sports, whose research and teaching looks at how race, the economy, and sports intersect.

Eligibility
Priority will be given to University of Minnesota students. However, all are welcome to apply, including students from other universities and colleges as well as non-students. For more information contact one of the two instructors or IGS (contact information below)

Application Deadlines and Fees:
The application deadline is NOW Feb 8. After the deadline applications will be accepted on a space available basis only. Complete applications received after the program fills will be placed on a waiting list.

http://www.igs.cla.umn.edu/abroad/china.html

The program fee will be about $4,200-4,500. We are currently working out the details. This includes your visa costs, health insurance, tuition, lodging, tour and entrance fees, lectures, international airfare, and local transportation. You will need a passport by February in order to get a visa for China. Go to the government抯 website: http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html

Financial Aid: University of Minnesota students may use their financial aid for study abroad programs. However, since it generally takes two to four months to process a financial aid application, you will need to apply well in advance. Non-University of Minnesota students may use financial aid from their home institutions, depending on the institutions' rules for credit transfer and payment for study abroad.

Scholarships: The Hsiao and Red Pockets scholarships are available from the China Center, at the University of Minnesota. Students should apply for both. In the past, these have paid about $400-$600 per student. Check the website immediately as the deadline is early. Go to:
http://www.chinacenter.umn.edu/resources/funding/#undergrad

Also, UMN's Study Abroad Program has funding. Visit their offices on the second floor of Heller Hall.

If you have any questions, please email Professor Isett (isett003@tc.umn.edu ) or Doug Hartmann (hartm021@umn.edu) We look forward to receiving your application.