Fall 2012
DIRECTOR
Qiguang Zhao, Burton and Lily Levin Professor of Chinese
Professor Zhao initiated the Chinese Language and Literature program at Carleton College, where he teaches Chinese language, Chinese literature, and Comparative Literature. He has led off-campus programs to Nankai University six times. Professor Zhao grew up on the Nankai University campus and spent his early years in Tianjin. He brings knowledge of both Nankai University and American college life to the program. Professor Zhao received his M.A. and Ph.D. in Comparative Literature from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. He received an M.A. in English and American Literature from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences in Beijing and a B.A. in English from Tianjin Normal University. Professor Zhao’s publications include: Many Roads, Heart’s Journey, Hearing the Rain in a Passing Boat, Strangers in Strange Lands, A Study of Dragons East and West, Selected Fiction of Joseph Conrad, Do Nothing and Do Everything and numerous articles and translations in Chinese and Western journals. He often appears on Chinese television to talk about cultural and philosophical subjects.
ELIGIBILITY
Students who have completed Chinese 103 or more (or equivalent) by the start of the program are eligible to apply.
LOCATION
The program is based at Tongji University, one of the most prestigious universities in Shanghai, known for its beautiful campus and academic accomplishments. Fascinating buildings are vivid, aesthetic markers of their strong architecture program. With a subway station at the front gate and food streets on each side, Tongji University is the most ideal location in bustling Shanghai. We will also study at Nankai University, which is located in Tianjin, in the heart of Mandarin-speaking China. Other sites will also be included for our studies and activities. Set in a quiet and beautiful environment, the university is an ideal setting for study and scholarly research. Nankai University has a historical commitment to language study and the College of Chinese Language and Culture specializes in the training of students from many countries. Other institutions of higher education may be selected due to possible changing conditions at our base university.
Shanghai is one of the most dynamic cities in the world. Behind its thousand newly-appeared skyscrapers, the city hides old, colonial-style buildings, classical gardens, and delicious street food. Tianjin, located 80 miles southeast of Beijing, is the third largest city in China. Historically renowned for its foreign concessions and folk arts, Tianjin has now become one of China’s newest and most important commercial centers. Beijing is a little over an hour away by train. Students will have many opportunities to explore the Beijing/Tianjin area in addition to scheduled group tours.
The location, schedule, and traveling plans of the program may be altered in case of unforeseen international or domestic situations.