Beijing Center Summer Professional Development Program

We are now accepting applications to participate in our Summer 2013 Professional Development program in Beijing and Xi'an, China. Please complete the application linked below and submit your proposal via e-mail to Ramin Nematollahi (nematollahi_ramin@smc.edu) in the International Education Center. The deadline is Friday, March 15, 2013.

Global Citizenship China Professional Development application, Summer 2013

For the second consecutive year, Santa Monica College's commitment to foster Global Citizenship continues with a professional-development program hosted by The Beijing Center for Chinese Studies (TBC). This summer (June 17 to 29), a team of fifteen SMC faculty and staff will be introduced to the lands and peoples of China, highlighting present-day issues and trends against the region’s deep historical backdrop. Over the course of two weeks, participants will attend lectures and seminars led by TBC faculty, explore Beijing and its surroundings, and take a trip to the historic capital city of Xi'an. Upon their return, participants are expected to contribute to the Global Citizenship initiative equipped with greater understanding of our trans-Pacific neighbors and the challenges and opportunities presented by China’s rising profile on the global stage.

The program application includes a day-by-day schedule of planned activities and excursions. Specific topics that will be covered include the following:

Overview of Chinese Culture. A broad view of Chinese culture which touches upon the five key elements (water, fire, earth, metal, and wood); China's pictographic language; philosophy; the principle of Yin and Yang; Traditional Chinese Medicine known as TCM (acupuncture, moxa, diet, "Qi"), and more.
An Introduction to Chinese history. An overview of the development of modern Chinese history beginning with the Opium Wars and continuing through the subsequent chaotic period of warlordism, civil war, the rise of communism, the series of Mao's disastrous policies (e.g., the Cultural Revolution), and finally China's open policy led by Deng Xiaoping's economic reforms.
Chinese government and politics. China's political structure and how it works.
The Chinese Economy. The economy, business environment, the role of the state, legal issues and entrepreneurship.

Background

Launched in 2007, the Global Citizenship initiative at Santa Monica College develops and promotes activities that prepare students for the 21st Century. Such preparation includes awareness of the social, cultural, and environmental transformations taking place in our world of unprecedented global interconnection; attitudes of tolerance and respect for diversity and of anticipation and adaption toward global change; skillful command of the technologies that revolutionize the way we obtain information and interact with each other; and a commitment to act as responsible global citizens through political engagement, entrepreneurship, and community service.

One facet of Santa Monica College’s global identity is its large body of international students. With a population of over 3100 as of Fall 2011, SMC boasts the second largest total of F-1 students among community colleges nationwide. More than 700 of these students come from mainland China, and this professional development program provides an opportunity to learn first-hand about the diverse cultures, history and traditions of this fast-growing segment of our student body. The program also supports infusion of global perspectives into SMC’s curriculum and campus life, as well as our annual study-abroad center in Beijing beginning Summer 2013.

Since 1998, The Beijing Center for Chinese Studies (TBC) has provided the world an unprecedented opportunity for individuals and groups to come to Beijing to learn about and experience both the immense transformations and rich traditional cultures of China. After a period of isolation and struggle, China reopened its doors to the world in the 1980s. It shed light on an ancient and distinct culture—a culture entirely different than our own. A culture shaped by Confucius philosophy, dynastic rule, striking art forms, economic growth, and political revolution. In the short period of time since this re-opening, China has re-emerged as an influential global power. An economic surge over the last several decades has propelled China’s growth to unimaginable scale while her history and long-standing traditional culture remain deeply rooted in its 1.3 billion people. This phenomenal change from isolation to standing on the world stage has marked a time where an understanding of China has become most essential.