China Studies Institute
The China Studies Institute (CSI) is a multidisciplinary professional development institute focused on helping participants integrate Chinese studies into the undergraduate curricula.
Learn more.
Learn about China and how to incorporate Chinese Studies into the undergraduate curriculum and co-curriculum.
This multidisciplinary program is designed to engage faculty and staff with little or no prior training, nor professional experience in China and Chinese studies, who can impact undergraduate education, either through teaching or academic support services that affect undergraduate studies. It provides faculty with expertise and support, to assist them in developing courses and initiatives that will enable students to gain a better understanding of China.
Who should participate?
- Faculty
- Staff/Administrators
How will you benefit?
- Peer-to-peer learning with participating colleagues
- Access to curated resources, including special Chinese studies content
- Develop strategies for incorporating Chinese studies into curriculum, notwithstanding academic discipline
- Mentorship and support through developing curriculum and campus initiatives
- Networking and access to CSI alumni, Chinese scholars, industry experts, and diplomats
impact
5
Number of years AASCU has provided this professional development opportunity for its members.
37
Number of Institutions that have participated in the Institute from across the U.S.
51
Number of faculty and administrators that have been trained by the Institute.
program highlights
Connect with Chinese faculty and administrators and immerse yourself in Chinese culture.
The Institute is hosted in China, and involves three weeks of intensive seminars, lectures, meetings and cultural activities related to various aspects of pre-modern and modern Chinese history, education, business and culture. Institute faculty includes scholars, business leaders, and education administrators from institutions and organizations in Beijing, Xian and Shanghai, as well as representatives from local Chinese communities, and government officials.
our stories
“My experience in the 2015 China Studies Institute was life changing. It was my first visit to China, and the three weeks in Shanghai, Xi’an, and Beijing were truly fantastic. I really appreciated the combination of classes and visits to places of cultural significance. For me, it was the culmination of a year (2014-15) when I basically discovered Chinese students–and China itself–and it added immeasurably to my knowledge and understanding of the huge, ancient, and fascinating country.”
“Since being a part of the China Studies Institute, I have incorporated in my courses, a discussion and comparison of academia in the United States and China. This helps my students gain insight into the value of this opportunity. I have also strongly encouraged my students to study abroad via NSU International Programs. In addition to this, I have applied to teach in China in the upcoming Fall semester. None of these things would be on my radar if I hadn’t participated in CSI.
“My trip to China with the CSI was extremely formative and has motivated me and given me the confidence to work much more closely with colleagues in China to establish student and faculty exchanges. The most recent example was our university hosting Dr. Zhi Pei and other colleagues from Zhejiang University of Technology. We are moving forward with an exchange agreement between their institution and our whole engineering college.”
Application information
Applicants must:
- be staff able to impact undergraduate education (either through teaching or academic support services that affect undergraduate studies).
- have no prior training or professional experience in Chinese studies.
- be able to demonstrate an interest in gaining a better understanding of China.
- be nominated by a president, chancellor, or provost, either directly or at the request of the applicant.
Applications usually open around late October and are due by mid-December. All required documents must be submitted by the deadline:
- Completed application form
- CV or resume
- Nomination Form
- One-page recommendation letter from a provost, vice president, dean, or department chair who is familiar with the applicant’s academic achievements and potential career path.
- A typed, single-spaced, one-page Statement of Intent outlining the potential benefits of the award to the applicant’s teaching and professional growth, and to the institution and community. This statement should address the applicant’s:
- interest in broadening their knowledge of China
- plans to impact undergraduate education at the institution
- plans to use the experience to effect curricular change
- plans to contribute to the Institute
- AASCU member institutions – $895
- Participants in the program are responsible for ancillary expenses related to travel to and from the program site, and all other personal and miscellaneous expenses such as passport fees, visa fees, roundtrip airfare and travel insurance.
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