Language and Culture: Making the Connection


Language and Culture: Making the Connection

2008 exploration seminar in Chengdu, China

Program director: Liping Yu,

Date of instruction: Aug 25-Sept. 18

The objective of 2008 UW exploration seminar in Chengdu, China is to give our students first-hand experience of a China that is ancient yet still young—since China has undergone dramatic changes in the past 30 years.

Language is culture and culture is language. This trip will certainly complement the language classes that are offered at UW. In this trip our students are going to not only observe China with their own eyes, but also live like a Chinese by adapting themselves to a Chinese style of living. UW students will be paired up with Sichuan University students in order to provide an opportunity for UW students to enhance their education through direct engagement and interaction with Chinese students, teachers, and ordinary Chinese people.

Our exploration seminar takes place in Chengdu, the 5th largest city in China. Chengdu is the capital of Sichuan Province, which is in the southwest of China. It is also one of the most important economic centers and transportation and communication hubs in China. Compared with other big cities like Beijing or Shanghai, Chengdu has less western influence. It is a city with a profound historical and cultural background. Sichuan University, one of the best universities in China, will be our host. To immerse our students in Chinese culture in a structured way, our seminar consists of three major parts: cognitive instruction in Chinese culture, field trips related to the lectures, and language classes. There are 10 cultural lectures that will touch a wide variety of topics of China. The topics will include Chinese education, Chinese religion, Chinese medical system, traditional Chinese medicine, culinary art, traditional Chinese painting and calligraphy, Chinese ethnic groups, foreign enterprises in China, and environmental protection in China. In the field trips we will be visiting Chinese elementary and middle schools, going to Chinese temples, visiting Chinese hospitals, making Chinese food, visiting art museums, gathering together with minority groups and visiting Microsoft and Intel offices in Chengdu. All these lectures are taught by professors from Sichuan University and the field trips will be led by faculty from UW and Sichuan University. The language classes will be taught by Liping Yu, the Chinese lecturer from UW, and local teaching faculty. Students will be put into different language classes according to their language proficiency. In addition to the scheduled 12 hours of language classes, students will have the opportunity to arrange one-on-one sessions with local TAs, and can practice speaking Chinese with a professional language instructor.

Be prepared for the adventure of your lifetime! In addition to the lectures and classes, students will have the opportunity to climb Mountain Emei, one of the four sacred Buddhist Mountains in China; visit the Leshan Giant Buddha, the tallest stone Buddha statue in the world; and travel to Qingcheng Mountain, a famous center of Taoism. We will visit DuJianYan, the oldest and only surviving no-dam irrigation system in the world, and Lizhuang, a small town that had hosted many famous intellectuals during the anti-Japanese war. We will also spend one of our weekends exploring Chongqing, the largest and most populous city in China.Students will also have free time to explore the city on their own. They can experience both rural and urban life in China, meet local people, and of course, sample the delicious, world-famous Sichuan cuisine.

Class assignments will include keeping a diary of reactions to each site we will visit, joining group discussion, and writing a short paper on a cultural aspect of particular interest to you. There will be a final exam for the Chinese language class.

Students will receive 5 credits for Chin 395 or CHID 474. Participants should check with their advisors to determine how these credits can count towards departmental requirements.

Send mail to: Course Email
Last modified: 4/21/2008 5:03 PM