Announcements

Rutgers Summer Chinese Program in Nanjing, China

Note: All details of the program described below are tentative and subject to change. Finalization of the program plan is usually made by the early months of the Spring semester.

Introduction: Each Summer, the Rutgers University Department of Asian Languages and Cultures conducts a summer lanuage program in China in the ancient city of Nanjing. The program is designed to provide students with an opportunity to study Chinese in a native environment. Located on the southern banks of the Yangtze River, Nanjing is a major political, commercial, historical, and cultural center of the lower Yangtze Region. Its historical status as a national capital and proximity to the Mandarin speaking North make the city of Nanjing a fine environment for the study of Standard Chinese. Nanjing University is one of the best and oldest universities in the country and is located in the middle of the city, within a 15 minute walk of downtown Nanjing. The famous cities of Shanghai, Yangzhou, Suzhou, and Hangzhou are also all very near - within a half-day's ride by train or bus. The program is held each year under the direction of a Professor of Chinese at Rutgers.

Eligibility: The program is open to anyone over the age of 18 who has completed at least one year of college level Chinese language study, or the equivalent, by the start of the program. Current and prospective Rutgers students in particular are encouraged to join the program. Applications will be considered as soon as they are complete, and the applicant will be notified of the decision promptly. Applications received after April 1 will be processed on a space available basis.

Dates: Four to five weeks in May, June, and July, generally coresponding to the First Term of the Summer Session.

Housing: Students are housed in double rooms (with shower and air conditioning) at Nanjing University. Note: Because of the short length of the program, it is not possible to arrange Chinese roommates for the program. But students in the program will have an opportunity to make Chinese friends in "Afternoon Tutoring" sessions.

Afternoon Tutoring: Nanjing University provides optional tutoring for students in the afternoons, after classes. The tutors are students from the Nanjing University Chinese Department who are interested in meeting friends from the United States.

Cultural Activities: Students have the option to participate in various cultural activities offered in the afternoon, such as Chinese kung fu and traditional Chinese painting.

Cultural Excursions: Program participants participate in afternoon and weekend group excursions within Nanjing and to various famous cities, such as Shanghai, Yangzhou, Suzhou, and Hangzhou. Excursions will be accompanied by guides who are knowledgeable in the history and culture of the places to be visited.

Transportation: The group gathers before the program in Shanghai and is taken to Nanjing by bus or train. Students will arrange air travel to Shanghai independently, though the program provides participants with information regarding low-cost round trip air travel between Newark and Shanghai. Group bus or train travel, to and from Shanghai in China, at the beginning and end of the program is included in the program fee. Students are responsible for their own expenses for any time they spend in China before the program begins or after the end of the program.

Program Costs: Varies yearly, estimated at $2,700-$3,000 (4 to 6 credits). The Department of Asian Languages and Cultures tries to keep costs as low as possible for students and still maintain a quality program. $1,500.00 is payable upon acceptance and the balance by May 10th. Late payment is subject to a $50 late fee. Under no circumstances are students allowed to participate in the program who have not paid in full before the program begins.
Program costs include tuition, room, and most group excursions. Students must purchase their own round-trip air tickets between the U.S. and China and pay for all their own meals (estimated at $400 for 30 days), their own personal expenses, dental work, vacation travel, books, etc. and travel/health insurance for the duration of the program. The program accepts no responsibility for personal property which must be insured separately if so desired. The program reserves the right to make any changes necessitated by circumstances.

Refunds: Students withdrawing before May 10th will receive a 50% re-fund of their initial payment. There will be no refunds after May 10th.

Application Procedure: All inquiries must be sent to the address below, not to the Registrar of the Summer Session.

For applications please write to:

Summer Study in Nanjing, China
c/o Professor R. VanNess Simmons
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Department of Asian Languages and Cultures
330 Scott Hall
43 College Ave,
New Brunswick, NJ 08901

Telephone: (732) 932-5597
or e-mail: rsimmon@rci.rutgers.edu

Program of Courses: Students enroll in one or two classes, totaling either 4 or 6 credits, from the following list:

•    01:165:205 Intermediate Chinese in China (Cr. 4)
        Prerequisite: Chinese 102 or equivalent.

•    01:165:305 Advanced Chinese in China (Cr. 4)
        Prerequisite: Chinese 202 or equivalent.

     (Students will be placed in either 165:205 or 165:305 depending upon ability.)

•    01:165:111 or 112 Chinese Calligraphy (Cr. 2,2)

In the future the mix of program courses may also be able to include:

•    01:165:301 or 302 Introduction to Literary Chinese (3)

Classes: Language classes meet five days a week. Calligraphy classes meet two days a week. Regular attendance is expected. Students must arrive on-time to all classes. No eating is allowed in the classrooms.

Placement: Students will be divided into small group classes on the basis of their ability at the start of the program.

Instructional staff: All classes are taught by experienced Chinese language teachers on the faculty of the Chinese Department of Nanjing University at the appropriate level - i.e. Intermediate or Advanced - for the course.

Language pledge: Students pledge to speak only Chinese during the duration of the program.

Excursions: Group excursions are offered as an integral part of the program course work and all students are expected to participate.

Grades: Grades are based on examinations and class performance according to the Rutgers University system in consultation with the Faculty of the Department of Asian Languages and the Director of the Summer Program in Nanjing. All students receive a regular Rutgers University Summer Session grade report.