Rollins in Shanghai

A unique feature of the Rollins in Shanghai program is the fact that Rollins faculty members accompany students on the program to teach courses and experience China alongside the students.  For the fall 2013 semester, Charlie Rock, Professor of Economics, will be teaching two content courses and participating in all cultural excursions and activities throughout the semester.  In addition, Professor of Philosophy & Religion Yudit Greenberg and Professor of Politics & International Relations David Skidmore from Drake University will be teaching two-credit courses at the beginning of the semester.

Courses: Students must enroll in one of the two 2-credit courses, a minimum of two “content” courses and a Mandarin Chinese course.  In addition, students will have mandatory two hours of weekly of one-on-one tutoring in Chinese.  Students who complete the fall semester in Shanghai normally receive between 16 – 20 semester hour credits.  

2-Credit Courses (students must enroll in one):

• PHI 200: Love, Eros and Religion, Prof. Yudit Greenberg:  This course is a cross-cultural and comparative study of  love, eros, and religion with an emphasis on Jewish, Christian, Confucianist, Daoist and Buddhist perspectives. Topics of discussions focus on the role of religion as well as culture in shaping views and practices of romantic love, marriage, sexuality and gender roles. (Letter Grade)
• The Political Economy of Water in China, Prof. David Skidmore (Drake University): This course will examine the varied water problems that China faces and the ways that the national government, local governments, the media and citizens groups are addressing these challenges. The course will be highly interactive, with student conducting group research into the connections between water and energy, food and health. The main product of study research will be a blog, which will help to educate visitors about the issues addressed. (Letter Grade)

Language Course:

• Mandarin Chinese:  Although the courses are taught on the campus of the Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Chinese students are not enrolled in these classes. The courses will transfer back to Rollins as transfer credit. Students earn 5 credits for each CHN 101 and CHN 102. Students earn 4 credits each for upper level courses.

Content courses in English:

• ECO2XX/INB390: Comparative Capitalisms—China, USA, and Alternative, Prof. Charlie Rock: An introductory survey of major conceptual models of alternative economic systems.  The Chinese, U.S. and other selected economies are examined to show the varieties of real world market capitalism today. (4 credits)
• ECO205: Political Economy of the Media—Chinese & Asian Systems, Prof. Charlie Rock: Dissects print, film, broadcast, cable, and new electronic media in China and Asia today. Questions economic structure of media institutions, differing viewpoints of media sources, and role of media in resolving current political/economic issues. Reviews journalistic and academic works, as well as video and audio recordings (including international short-wave news and program broadcasts), newspapers, magazines, and publications of citizen and government groups. (4 credits)

Depending on enrollment and student interest, at least one of the two additional content courses in English will be offered:

• HIS353: Chinese History & Culture ("C" Gen Ed):  This course provides students an overview of Chinese history and culture as keys to understand China’s trajectory, its present and, most importantly, its people. History and culture are presented in light of their relationships with other areas of knowledge such as geography, law, government, politics, literature, art, economics, philosophy, religion.  (4 credits)
• INB315 Business & Economic Development in China: This course is designed to improve a student’s ability to conduct successful business in China, aim to sell products or services here, or to source products and services here and deliver them to overseas markets. Students will review China-specific macro environment, and then at operations-specific challenges, issues and opportunities. With successful completion of this course, students will be better equipped to make investment decisions or pursue management careers that leverage the once-per-century opportunities 21st century China presents. Learn macro factors that have business-specific implications in China: history and culture, politics and law, the mainland China people, and their physical environment and the macroeconomic and financial factors. Learn operational factors that drive business success in China: strategy, marketing and sales, HR-talent management and leadership, manufacturing and supply chain, general management, localization and globalization, and legal, financial and asset structure. In addition to lectures and class discussions, there will be presentations and a few speakers and visits to companies in the Shanghai area. (4 credits)

INB 397/INTN 397 Internship: A very limited number of competitive 4-credit internships are available on this program.  In order to apply, interested students must:

• Be accepted and committed to the Shanghai Semester program
• Have a minimum of 1-year of Chinese language or the equivalent
• Have relevant prior work, internship, volunteer and/or co-curricular experience
• For INB 397 ONLY: Junior standing at the time of the internship and completion of INB 300 prior to the internship

Students who meet these qualifications will be invited to apply for the internship. Placements are not guaranteed and students will not find out about placements later in the semester. Please direct all questions about the internship to International Programs.

Transfer of Credits: All courses on this program appear on the Rollins transcript as Rollins courses (except for the Chinese language courses which are transfer credit) and the grades are factored into the Rollins GPA.

Faculty and Staff: Each year, Rollins College sends one full-time faculty member to Shanghai to teach two of the program courses, participate in program activities and excursions, and offer additional academic support to students on-site.  The fall 2013 faculty member is Professor of Economics Charlie Rock, who has extensive experience living and teaching abroad. In addition, the George D. and Harriet W. Cornell Professor of Religions Studies Yudit Greenberg will teach a two-credit course at the beginning of the semester. David Skidmore from Drake University will also teach a two-credit course. Other program faculty members are instructors at Shanghai Jiao Tong University or are local faculty hired to teach for the program.  Student support and program logistics are organized by EducAsian staff, who are available to assist with any student issues or concerns on-site.