Kunming IFP 2007
This text outlines the key information for the new eight-week summer program for 10-15 graduate students from The New School in Kunming (Yunnan Province), China.
Similar to GPIA, SIRYU is a relatively new school (established in 2002) at the Yunnan University (http://www.ynu.edu.cn). Yunnan University is one of the oldest comprehensive universities in Southwest China. It is considered to be a national key university that encompasses such disciplines as humanities, law, sciences, engineering, technology, management, and arts. Currently, there are 22,000 undergraduates, 5,160 graduates, 15,000 adult students, and 320 international students. It has 1400 teaching staff, 292 full professors, and 600 associate professors in 18 schools and 7 research institutes. SIRYU's primary purpose is "To cultivate it (SIRYU) into a training base for top-quality personnel in the field of international affairs and to make it a research base for first-class studies on international relations."SIRYU current consist of 98 graduate/PhD and 148 undergraduates.
Note: In addition to GPIA, Ashok Gurung, Director of India China Institute at the New School will serve as a contact person, facilitator, and adviser, to ensure a successful launch of this new initiative in China.
Proposed Outline of the Summer Program: The summer program aims to provide the following learning opportunities, organized in three inter-connected phases:
1. Internships/Applied Research: In light of particular history and opportunities, GPIA & SIRYU have agreed to organize internship and applied research in tow thematic areas: minority issues and environment. SIRYU has extensive working arrangements with a wide range of local, national, and international organizations in Yunnan. Based on GPIA students background and interest, SIRYU will identify, arrange, and help supervise appropriate about 6 weeks of internships and applied research projects in Yunnan.
2. Basic Chinese Language Skills: Provide basic Chinese Language skills (Mandarin): 48 hours of intensive language classes (2 hours a day for four days a week)
Understanding Contemporary China: Selected Seminars: Organize eight carefully designed seminar-style lectures on contemporary China by prominent scholars and practitioners. This will be organized during the first two week of the program. The following topics have been suggested: Contemporary Chinese History; Chinese Political System; Chinese Economic Development; Chinese Culture & Tradition, Chinese Nationalities/Minority Issues; Chinese Educational System; Chinese Foreign Policy/US Relations; and Role of Emerging Civil Society.
Another very important feature of the proposed summer program is to identify interested Chinese graduate students with English language capacity from SIRYU network in Yunnan University to pair-up with The New School students, especially to work on conducting research and internship projects involving minority and environment issues. Such an arrangement would greatly help in addressing the communication challenge because most of the New School students will not have prior knowledge and skills in Chinese language and culture.
Three Phases of the Summer Program (suggested dates):
- Phases I: June 2 to June 15, 2007 (four days/week)
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM: Intensive Chinese Language 12:00 - 1:00 PM: Lunch 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Seminars: Contemporary China No classes on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
- Phase II: June 18 - July 13:
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM: Intensive Chinese Language 12:00 - 1:00 PM: Lunch Afternoons open for Internships or independent research with selected individuals and organizations. In some cases, students may be asked to volunteer to work full day on Fridays at the host organizations. SIRYU will organize two group fields' trips.
- Phase III: July - 14-30:
Intensive field work and travel within China (no formal classes).
Logistics:
Housing and Food: Yunnan University offers very good housing facilities for international students. It contains a desk, attached bath, television, and a telephone. On average, three Chinese meals a day in the university cafeteria would cost less than $5 per person. Plenty of western and international restaurants in the immediate vicinity of the campus. Transportation: SIRYU will arrange for pick-up and drop-off at the Kunming International Airport. Local Transportation - buses, bicycles, and taxis are readily available and very affordable.
Information Session: Wed., Nov. 8 at 5:00 p.m., Room 901, 66
Fifth Ave. (Take the elevator to the 8th Floor and then walk one floor
up to 9th Floor)
Housing Note: Single-occupancy housing will be provided at Polytechnic University in Hung Hom.
Program Dates: June 2 - July 30
Faculty Coordinator: Ashok Gurung (GurungA@newschool.edu)