Mandarin Language
Critical to a study abroad experience is the immersion into language opportunities. While our students will have many opportunities for speaking Chinese in their daily experiences, coursework will be provided from beginning to advanced levels.

Our U.S. faculty advisors have worked diligently to ensure that our partner school, Jiao Tong, is able to provide the U.S. standards of academic excellence to the classroom while utilizing journals, daily quizzes, testing, and class participation in the assessment of language acquisition. Teaching methods and assessments will be to U.S. standards, and all courses will offer college level credits through our U.S. partner schools.

Politics and Society in Contemporary China
China has experienced extraordinary levels of political, economic and social turmoil coupled with breathtaking change over the past century.  The end of a dynasty, a civil war, invasion and occupation, revolutionary modernization and extreme political difficulties, radical reversal from communism to a version of capitalism, and extraordinary rates of economic growth resulting from rapid integration into the world economy: all this and more in the space of 100 years.  This course is designed to introduce students to contemporary China with an overview of these developments and a more detailed look at current social, political, economic and environmental issues.

Business and Economic Development in Modern China
This course focuses on the economic and business environments in China and how they influence companies doing business there.  Designed to provide the students with an overseas learning experience about the international business environment of China, and the Shanghai area in particular, this course grounds the classroom learning with opportunities to engage with Chinese businesses to see how it works in the real world. In addition, each student will build an in depth knowledge of the business and economic aspects which affect investment strategies, entrepreneurship opportunities, and technological development in China. Shanghai’s expansion directly correlates to its resurgence as an economic powerhouse.  For this reason, a basic understanding of how this happened and what it means for the future is key for business students, but helpful for any degree program. This course can also be required to prepare students for their industry-related internship in China.

Chinese History & Culture: An Overview
This course provides students an overview of Chinese history and culture, tracing the evolution of Chinese history and culture from ancient times to present.  The overview of Chinese history delineates a clear story line from ancient times to present, which serves as a contextual framework for discussing major themes and topics of Chinese culture.  The themes and topics on Chinese culture include formation and evolution of Chinese identity, Chinese political, economic and social systems, Chinese philosophical and religious traditions, Chinese education system, Chinese literature and arts and major Chinese customs and habits. As the course is conducted in China, a strong field study component is added to supplement the classroom teaching.

Application
To start the enrollment process complete the Petters Educasian application and fax it to 952-932-3562. Click here for pdf of application