2010 USG Summer Study in China—General Studies Program                                   Course Descriptions

 

BUSINESS (BUSA)

 

(A) Environment of Business (BUSA lower division)                                                               PM1

Business strategies and practices are influenced by their surrounding macro environment.  These variables include current and emerging issues in the legal, social, political, ethical, technical and demographic arenas.  In this course, students will compare micro-level variables in China to those in other countries. Using current business examples and in-class exercise, students will better understand how business practices are structured. (Raina Rutti, Dalton State College)    

 

(B) Principles of Management (BUSA upper division)                                                           AM2

This course introduces the basic concepts and processes of management including the study of the legal, social, and political environment with an emphasis on the behavioral perspectives in organizations. In this course students will evaluate the differences between China and the U.S. with respect to the different environments emphasizing cultural differences in management and leadership styles. (Raina Rutti, Dalton State College)           

 

COMMUNICATION (COMM/MDIA/FILM)

 

(A) Media, Culture, and Society (lower division)                                                                     PM1

This course will examine the ways in which the mass media have transformed individuals, politics, and society.  It will consider current debates over the role of media in society, and focus particularly on the significance of “Web 2.0,” including interactive media such as blogging, social networking, citizen journalism, video-sharing, and wikis.  The course will also look at the comparative role of media in China and the U.S., and it will include analysis of English-language media in China as well as field trips to media operations (newspaper, television, radio) in Zhengzhou. (Dan Cabaniss, Gainesville State College)

 

(B)    International Cinema: History and Culture (upper division)                                             AM1    

This course will examine the historical development of cinema in China, paying particular attention to how film has reflected cultural continuity and change against the background of twentieth-century political, economic, and social life in the People’s Republic, Taiwan, and Hong Kong.  The course will include study of films from the silent era through the present, and will include comparative analysis of how the development of film in China parallels and differs from film history in the Western world.  Course requirements include a research project of each student’s own design.

(Dan Cabaniss, Gainesville State College)

 

CRIMINAL JUSTICE (CRJU)

 

(A) Police and Society (upper division)                                                                                   PM1

The course offers both micro and macro perspectives on policing in a democratic society.  Examining both the specific actions (micro) and the social context (macro) in which individual actions occur allows us to reach a comprehensive understanding of the dynamic interrelationships between the police and society.  The examination will also give students a grasp of the critical problems and challenges facing the current police operations and programs.  Discussions on Chinese police systems and practices will also be included for a broader understanding of the social impacts on policing.  A tour to the Police Museum in Beijing will be arranged. (Wilson Huang, Valdosta State University)

 

(B) Comparative Justice Systems (upper division)                                                                  AM2

This course is designed to provide students an overview of criminal justice systems around the world.  Issues on legal traditions, policing, court, corrections, and juvenile justice will be reviewed from a global perspective.  Similarities and differences existed in the worldwide criminal justice systems will be discussed as well. The course will also examine the criminal justice systems in China.  Emphasis will be placed on the comparison between the American and Chinese systems.  Field trip to a court or criminal justice agency will be conducted to observe criminal justice administrations in the Chinese legal system. (Wilson Huang, Valdosta State University)

 

HISTORY (HIST)

 

(A) United States History since 1865 (lower division)                                                             AM2   

A survey of the major political, social, cultural, and international developments in the United States since 1865. Special attention will be paid to the Chinese-American experience as well as the relationship between the Chinese and American societies during the age of imperialism, the Cold War, and current globalization that have influenced the images Chinese and American societies have of each other. (Louis Schmier, Valdosta State University)

 

(B) Special Topics in History: The Holocaust (upper division)                                               AM1    

Discussion of the state-sponsored, systematic persecution and annihilation of European Jewry, as well as others who were targeted for destruction or decimation for racial, ethnic, and national reasons, by Nazi Germany from 1933 to 1946. Special attention will be paid to the Jewish community in Shanghai and the manner by which it became a refuge from the Holocaust for over 20,000 Jews. (Louis Schmier, Valdosta State University)

 

(C) China to 1840 (upper division)                                                                                           AM2   

This course surveys Chinese thought and history, up to 1840.  Besides looking at the big themes of Chinese history from earliest times, it highlights the role of ancient cities visited during the program-Xi’an, Luoyang, and Beijing. This is a non-required course, but for students enrolled in the course, field trips become an integral part of our coursework and discussion. (Douglas Reynolds, Georgia State University)

 

(D) China since 1840 (upper division)                                                                                      PM1    

This course examines China from before the Opium War (1839-42) down to today. Of the cities visited during the program, Beijing and Shanghai are highlighted. Readings include Peter Hessler, River Town: Two Years on the Yangtze (2001). To assist with the process of discovery, students will keep daily journals, which will be evaluated and will constitute part of the course grade. (Douglas Reynolds, Georgia State University)

 

(E) Survey of World History/ Civilization I (lower division)                                                   AM1

This course will examine “big picture” social political, intellectual and artistic development in world history to 1500.  Given our locale, we will pay particular attention to cultural and economic exchange between East and West in addition to the impact of Chinese culture and political ideas on the rest of Asia. Key themes to be covered include: imperialism, bureaucratic governance, and the origins Asian religion including Buddhism and Confucianism. (Ellen Rafshoon, Georgia Gwinnet College)

 

(F) United States History Since 1945 (upper division)                                                         PM1

This course examines the political, cultural, economic, and diplomatic history of the U.S. in the second half

or the twentieth century. Particular emphasis will be placed on American interactions with China during this

period. Students will be required to do some preparatory reading and complete an on-line assignment prior to

departure. (Ellen Rafshoon, Georgia Gwinnet College)

 

PHILOSOPHY (PHIL)

 

(A)   Introduction to philosophy – Way of Knowing (lower division)                                        AM2

The approach of this introductory course is historical and comparative. The major question posed is what is the nature of the human soul/self and its relation to other selves and the world? Ways of knowing our world and each other are presented in the context of worldviews: Mythic, Pre-Socratic, Platonic, Chinese, Modern, and Postmodern. Special attention is paid to Confucius and Zhuangzi and the differences between Integrity and Intimacy based culture orientations. (David Jones, Kennesaw State University)

 

(B)  Classical Chinese Philosophy (upper division)                                                                   AM1

This in-depth survey of central thinkers and schools of the classical Chinese tradition investigates representative thinkers in the Chinese Confucian and Daoist philosophical tradition and the Chinese response to Buddhism. Primary sources include: Confucian, Daoist, Buddhist (especially Chan), and Neo-Confucian. In addition to introducing students to the above, we will pay special attention to developing your skills in three areas: reading, writing, interpreting, and cultural understanding.   (David Jones, Kennesaw State University)

 

POLITICAL SCIENCE (POLS)

 

(A) Global Issues (lower division)                                                                                           AM1    

This is an introduction to international politics with a focus on the Asia-Pacific region. Issues to be discussed include the North Korean Nuclear issue, the coming of the Pacific century, Asian values and democratization, China’s transition towards market economy, and more. Open to all students. (Baogang Guo, Dalton State College)

 

*All courses above are open to participating students.


Class Schedule of 2010 Summer Study in China -General Studies

 

Class

AM1 8:45-10:15

AM2 10:30-12:00

PM1 1:30-3:00

Cabaniss

International Cinema

 

Media, Culture, Society

Guo

Global Issues

 

 

Huang

 

Comparative Justice

Police and Society

Jones

Classical Chinese Philosophy

Introduction to Philosophy

 

Rutti

 

Management Principles

Business Environment

Rafshoon

World History/Civilization I

 

Tentative HIST 4xxx

Reynolds

 

China to 1840

China Since 1840

Schmier

Holocaust

US History since 1865

 

 


Faculty of 2010 USG Summer Studies in China - General Studies Program

 

Program Administration

Dr. Baogang Guo, Program Director

Division of Social Sciences                                

Dalton State College                                          Phone: (706) 272-2678

650 College Drive                                              Fax: (706) 272-2698

Dalton, GA 30720                                             E-mail: bguo@daltonstate.edu

 

Dr. Wilson Huang, Co-Director

Department of Anthropology,                           Phone: (229) 333-5486

Sociology and Criminal Justice                            Fax: (229) 333-5492

Valdosta State University                                    Email: whuang@valdosta.edu

Valdosta, GA 31698

 

Dr. Douglas Reynolds, On-site Assistant Director

Department of History
Georgia State University                                     Phone: (404) 413-6368              

38 Peachtree Center Ave.                                    Fax: (404) 413-6384

Atlanta, GA 30303                                             E-mail: dreynolds@gsu.edu

 

Participating Faculty

 

Professor Dan Cabaniss

English and Journalism Program                                    Phone:  (706) 310-6306

Gainesville State College                                     Fax: (706) 310-6202

Watkinsville, GA 30677                                      Email: dcabaniss@gsc.edu

 

Dr. David Jones

Department of History and Philosophy

College of Humanities and Social Sciences          Phone: (770) 423-6596

Kennesaw State University                                 Fax: (770) 423-6432

Kennesaw, GA 30144                                        Email:   djones@ksuweb.kennesaw.edu

 

Dr. Ellen Rafshoon

History Program                                                            Phone: (770) 457-6473

Georgia Gwinnet College                                   Email: erafshoo@ggc.usg.edu,

Lawrenceville, GA 30043

 

Dr. Raina M. Rutti

School of Business Administration                     Phone: (706) 272-4433

Dalton State College                                          Fax: (706) 272-4525

Dalton GA, 30720                                             E-mail: rrutti@daltonstate.edu

 

Dr. Louis Schmier

Department of History                                      Phone: (229) 333-5947                          

Valdosta State University                                    Fax: (229) 249-4865

Valdosta, GA 31698                                           Email: lschmier@valdosta.edu