Student Resources

Summer 2008 - Maymester, May 13-June 3

Study Abroad in China

Brochure (pdf)

Deadline extended for applications:  January  14, 2008

The College of Public Health (CPH) will be joining the School of Public and International Affiars (SPIA) this year as we study abroad in China. Because Health Care in China is controlled by the Chinese government, we think the academic combination will be extremely beneficial to this year's Maymester Program. The program will vary slightly for the groups. Those accepted through the Department of Political Science will travel to Beijing, Chengdu, and Shanghai. Those students with Public Health will not go to Chengdu, but will instead spend additional time in Beijing, visiting the Chinese CDC, hospitals and clinics. Courses for the two groups will vary (please see below).

This program will provide an opportunity for students to learn first-hand about a society very different from our own, but in many ways very familiar. China is a dictatorship that does not tolerate political dissent. At the same time, it has allowed a market economy to develop in many parts of the country, it is attempting to develop a more modern legal system, and, based on its size and economic growth, it is now a regional military power and a major economic force in the world. Customers line up at McDonald 's and military police suppress protest. This remarkable society raises truly profound questions. Is modern life compatible with dictatorship?  Can a society and very diverse population successfully absorb rapid social, economic, and cultural change? What about traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture, will they endure, or will Western Medicine take hold?  What will happen to the famous "barefoot doctor" that followed the revolution? Why are there so many product recalls of toys manufactured in China creating health risks for children throughout the world?

The student fee for the program is $2,500 for POLS students and $2,600 for Public Health students (extra charge for PH students is for extended stay in Beijing). This includes a double room, two meals a day, and local transportation while in China ; scheduled fieldtrips; guest speakers; and medical insurance. Additional expenses not included are tuition and fees (Hope scholarship applies), approximately $1200-$1600 airfare (international and within China ), China visa ($100), and spending money (gifts, eating out, laundry, sundries, etc.).

• 2008 Public Health Application
• 2008 Political Science Application

Courses for students accepted by the College of Public Health**

• RELI 4910/6910 Special Topics in Asian Religion
• PBHL 3100/PHRM 3100 Introduction to Public Health
• PBHL 8100 Current Topics in Public Health

**Students in this group will earn six credits by taking RELI and one elective course.

Courses for students accepted by the Department of Political Science*

• POLS 4190: Democracy and Dictatorship
• POLS 4780: Comparative Legal Systems- China, the U.S. and the Rule of Law
• SOCI 2500: Culture and Social Institutions

*Students in this group must take two courses for a total of six credit hours.


For more information regarding the program, please contact

Dr. Robert Galen
Associate Dean of the College of Public Health
bobgalen@uga.edu

or

Dr. Robert Grafstein
Department Head of Political Science
bobgraf@uga.edu