| Description |
The study of body culture investigates the question “What is the body?” How the body is perceived, cared for and used varies from culture to culture. This interdisciplinary program will focus on the study of Chinese society and culture as it relates to the idea of body culture – specifically the topics of medicine, physical fitness, and sport in China. Both past and current norms and traditions will be examined, and participants will have the opportunity to engage some of the practices studied. Because language and culture are so intimately connected, a portion of time will be dedicated to the study of Mandarin as well. Ultimately, the program will strive to arm and enable participants to better understand and define one’s current perspectives, as well as to understand and identify with the Chinese people and their culture. Previous Mandarin language study is not required. |
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| Location |
The program will take place in Beijing, China, with weekend excursions planned to Tai’an and the Great Wall. China is a prominent economic and political world power. Roughly the same size as the U.S., it is the world’s most populous country; one out of every five people in the world reside within its borders. Beijing is located in the northeastern area of China and is the capital of China, as well as its second-largest city. With over 15 million people, it is the center of national politics, economics, culture and tourism. China’s rich and diverse history and tradition makes it a fascinating and appropriate destination for this program. Beijing is also host of the 2008 summer Olympic games. |
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| Faculty leaders* |
* Dr. Dean Calsbeek and Dr. Paul Bartlett will lead this program. Both professors are faculty members in Northwestern’s Department of Kinesiology. The faculty leaders will collaborate with the Institute for the International Education of Students (IES), based in Beijing, in delivering the program. Professor Calsbeek spent time in China during the summer of 2006 to prepare for this course, and Professor Bartlett has extensive previous experience leading student and sport groups abroad. |
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| Course and credit |
Gen 350: Body Culture in China: Topics in Medicine, Physical Fitness, and Sport, 4 credits. This course fulfills NWC’s cross-cultural general education requirement. Physical education majors may also substitute this course for GEN 360: Sport in Societies (see the faculty leaders for more information.) Summer study abroad courses cannot be taken for audit. |
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| Program structure |
During spring semester, the group will meet informally to become familiar with each other and with the course and to discuss logistics. A required four-day pre-trip seminar will take place immediately preceding the in-country segment. This seminar will cover various academic and logistical aspects of the course and is designed to prepare students for the learning and exploration that will take place in China. Once on-site, participants will spend three weeks living, studying and exploring Beijing. Several hours each week will be devoted to language study and Tai Chi instruction. Excursions to the Great Wall and Tai’an, to climb Mount Tai’ Shan, are also planned. The program will integrate a variety of course activities and excursions, assignments, conversations with Chinese students, and guest lectures. Frequent group discussion/debriefing times will also play a prominent role. See Dr. Calsbeek for a complete syllabus. |
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| Transportation |
Current plans have students flying as a group into Beijing. Once on-site, a variety of transportation methods will be used. |
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| Housing and meals |
Students will live in the International Dormitory at Bei Wei University. Meals will be taken at the university cafeteria or in restaurants. Most meals will be provided for as part of the program fee. |
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| Excursions |
As mentioned, weekend excursions to the Great Wall and Tai’an are planned. Special events currently include an acrobalance performance and professional sporting event, as well as visits to places of interest in and around Beijing. |
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| Passport and visa |
For U.S. citizens, a passport and visa are required for entry into China. NWC will coordinate the visa process, but participants are responsible for obtaining their own passports. Please apply early, as it can take some time to receive passports, and visas cannot be obtained without the passport information. Information on how to obtain a passport is available from the summer study abroad office or the State Department website at http://travel.state.gov/. |
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| Vaccinations and health information |
The Center for Disease Control recommends that all routine vaccinations are up-to-date. The faculty leader may also require immunizations and/or medications (e.g. for malaria) as necessary. Food and waterborne diseases are the greatest cause of illness for travelers to China. SARS and the Avian Flu also have a history in China, and precautions will be considered. Please see the faculty leader and the Center for Disease Control website (www.cdc.gov) for more information. |
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| Eligibility |
All NWC students with a minimum GPA of 2.5 (or with the consent of the faculty leader) are eligible to apply. This program is also available to non-NWC students on a space-available basis. Previous Mandarin language study is not required. |
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| Application |
Application The 2007 China application consists of the two-page application form, two recommendations (one from a faculty member, one from a resident director), and a student-copy transcript. Applications are available on the summer study abroad website. |
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| Application deadline |
February 1, 2007. Early application is encouraged. A minimum enrollment is needed in order for the program to run. After the deadline, call for space-availability information. |
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| Program fee |
Tentatively, the program fee will be $4,800 per student. The final fee will depend on the actual number of participants and confirmed prices for airfare, exchange rates, etc. A better estimate of cost will be given in February, and the final fee will be determined around April 1. Every effort is being made to keep the cost at a minimum. The program fee includes tuition for four credits (at a reduced rate of half off regular summer school tuition rates), airfare, in-country transportation, housing, most meals or meal stipend, international insurance (medical evacuation and repatriation coverage, basic health), orientation, excursions, and entry fees. Participants will need to cover books, passport and pictures, in-country cell phone rental and phone calls, int’l phone cards, immunizations and antibiotics, some meals, and individual travel and spending money, among other items.
NWC summer study abroad programs are academic, credit-bearing experiences (not mission programs) that focus on broadening students’ worldview through immersion in—and academic exploration of—a different culture. Therefore, the Northwestern College summer study abroad office does not sponsor nor coordinate fundraising activities to help participants cover the cost of the program fees. Payment of the program fees remains the responsibility of the participant. |
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| Tuition waiver |
The regular Northwestern College tuition waiver policy applies to summer study abroad courses. Eligible employees and their dependents may use the tuition waiver for the tuition amount only of the summer study abroad program fee. (See the staff and faculty handbooks for more information.) Tuition waivers may not be used for the $250 deposit.
A full-tuition waiver for a 2007 four-credit course will equal $560 off the final program fee. A full-tuition waiver for a 2007 six-credit course will equal $840 off the final program fee. (These figures equal the actual amount of tuition charged to participants as part of the final program fee, which is a special half-off discount of 2007 summer school tuition rates.)
Interested students should see Jill Fischer in the summer study abroad office for more details. |
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| Deposit and financial aid |
Upon acceptance into the program, a $250 deposit will be required to hold a participant’s slot. This deposit will be applied to the final program fee. Financial aid in the form of loans may be available. Contact the NWC financial aid office for more information. |
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| Payment deadline |
After determination of the final program fee, on or around April 1, the SSAO will send out billings. Deadline for payment is May 1. Participants will be provided with the Payment, Cancellation and Refund policies upon acceptance into the program. |
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Summer study abroad
