ciee - council on international educational exchange
apply now for a ciee study abroad program Login in My CIEE

Search this site:
are you an advisor?
  
CIEE Annual Conference
Sign up for our newsletter
featured programs

Study Abroad with CIEE in Australia Study in Australia
wollongong—arts + sciences

Study Abroad with CIEE in the Caribbean Study in Bonaire
bonaire—tropical marine ecology

Study Abroad with CIEE in China Study in China
shanghai—advanced chinese studies

Study Abroad with CIEE in China Study in China
shanghai—business, language, + culture

Study Abroad with CIEE in Germany Study in Germany
berlin—language + culture

Study Abroad with CIEE in Italy Study in Italy
naples—liberal arts

Study Abroad with CIEE in Italy Study in Italy
naples—classical studies

Study Abroad with CIEE in Peru Study in Peru
lima—business + society

Study Abroad with CIEE in Peru Study in Peru
lima—language + culture

Study Abroad with CIEE in Sweden Study in Sweden
uppsala—language + culture

Study Abroad with CIEE in Taiwan Study in Taiwan
taipei—chinese language + culture

Study Abroad with CIEE in Vietnam Study in Vietnam
ho chi minh—language + culture

Academic Program

The CIEE Study Center at Peking University (PKU) was founded in 1980. The Advanced Chinese Studies program, which opened in 2009, offers support for superior Chinese language students interested in taking content classes completely in Chinese with Chinese undergraduate students. Students are required to pass a placement exam taken upon arrival in Beijing. Once students pass, they enroll in one of four schools or departments: the Department of Chinese Language and Literature; the Department of History; the School of International Studies; or the Guanghua School of Management. A CIEE Advanced Research and Writing course supplements direct enrollment courses at Peking University.

The School of International Studies
The School of International Studies (SIS) at PKU is the first school focusing on International Studies set up in the Chinese university system. It is an important teaching and research school devoted to training students in international studies, international political economy, and diplomacy.

The Guanghua School of Management
The Guanghua School of Management at PKU is one of the best business schools in China. More than 3,000 students are enrolled in Guanghua, which is staffed by approximately 100 full-time teaching faculty. Guanghua offers undergraduate degrees in accounting, finance, and marketing

Department of Chinese Language and Literature
The Department of Chinese Language and Literature at PKU includes three major areas of study (Chinese literature, Chinese language, classical literature and documents), two research institutes, and two research centers.

Department of History
The Department of History at PKU, which can be traced back to the University’s former days as Metropolitan University in 1899, is considered to be China’s oldest department focused on the study of history. Currently, there are 68 full-time teachers and staff (33 professors, 19 associate professors and 16 lecturers), many of whom are leading experts in the field of history research. The department offers undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, including master’s level and Ph.D. degrees. It employs many scholars from China and abroad and organizes seminars, reports, and updates on the latest research results and information for teachers and students in the department.

What You'll Learn

The goal of the Advanced Chinese Studies program is to provide support for superior language students interested in taking coursework completely in Chinese alongside Chinese peers. This is achieved by having students enroll directly in one department or school at Peking University based on their academic interest, as well as by providing weekly tutorials with Chinese peer tutors, a required core course focusing on using Chinese in a professional context, optional homestays and off-campus housing near the University, and opportunities for individual research.

Academic Culture

Students attend classes from Monday through Friday and take most courses within one department or school. The academic culture of each department or school varies. Classroom size can range from 20 to 200 students depending on the course and teaching styles, and course requirements vary from course to course. Syllabi may or may not be provided depending on the professor. There is a Teacher’s Assistant (TA) assigned to each course, and international students are expected to communicate with their TAs for specific course information and to discuss any issues they may be having. Students are expected to be both independent and diligent in regard to the requirements of each course.

Due to the dates of the Chinese academic calendar, students may enroll for the spring semester or the entire academic year. Semester students take three direct enrollment courses and the CIEE core course. Academic year students take seven courses; they do not need to repeat the CIEE core course in the spring.

Nature of Classes

Participants take classes with Chinese classmates in the department or school in which they enroll. Participants take the CIEE core course with other CIEE students only.

CIEE Language Commitment

Students take part in the CIEE Community Language Commitment by speaking Chinese at all times (except in emergencies). This fosters a learning community that contributes to both Chinese language proficiency and understanding of Chinese society.

Internship

This program does not currently offer an internship. For a list of programs that do, visit Search for a Program and search for "internships" under "what do you want to study."

Grading System

Peking University grades are determined based on a mid-term exam, final exam, homework, attendance, and class participation. All grades are calculated on a percentage basis and converted to U.S. letter grade equivalents. As grades for the spring semester will not be available until August, and grades for fall semester will not be available until the following February, graduating seniors or others concerned about the timing of receiving grades need to take this into consideration when choosing this program. For the CIEE course, students are graded on their participation in both formal lectures and scheduled meetings with their tutors.

Program Requirements

Students must take three Peking University courses each semester in addition to the CIEE course. Academic year students do not repeat the CIEE course in their second semester.

Credit Description

Total recommended credit for the semester is 16 semester/24 quarter hours and 30 semester/45 quarter hours for the academic year program.

Typical courses offered by the major departments have 54 contact hours and 5 semester credits/7.5 quarter hours over the course of 18 weeks. The contact hours listed refer to the time spent in class. Although the U.S. higher education system follows a fairly consistent ratio of 15 contact hours per semester-hour of credit, systems around the world vary considerably. Three contact hours per week in any given system may involve much more total effort or significantly less total effort than what is implied by three hours in the U.S. CIEE credit recommendations are based on an evaluation of the total effort required for each course. The Chinese educational system generally requires more self-directed reading per each hour in class than U.S. institutions.

Courses

Required CIEE Course

CHIN 3001 BACS
Tutorial for Advanced Research and Writing
This is a one-credit required course designed to supplement direct enrollment courses at PKU. This tutorial provides guidance and support to students in their adaptation to the academic environment. The tutorial consists of group meetings plus individualized tutorial sessions in which teaching approach and content are designed to meet the needs of individual students. The Resident Director and local tutors form an advising team to provide assistance and guidance throughout the semester to ensure students are ultimately successful in their coursework. Contact hours: 15. Recommended credit: 1 semester/1.5 quarter hours. Instructor: Dr. Yuan Tian

Peking University Courses
The following courses vary from semester to semester. Students need to be flexible in their course choice as course availability varies widely and may not be known until registration takes place on campus. Syllabi for specific courses are typically not available prior to course enrollment. There are a few courses taught in English. Students wishing to take those courses must receive approval from their home institutions prior to enrolling.

Department of Chinese Studies and Literature
Analysis of Chinese Dialects
Analysis of Famous Modern Novels
Analysis of Modern Chinese Novels
Ancient Chinese Culture
Chinese Calligraphy
Chinese Folk Literature
Chinese Literature and Studies
Chinese Reference Books
Chinese Rhetoric
Chinese Studies
Classical Chinese
Classical Chinese Literature
Comparative Literary Theories
Discussion of Selected Tang and Song Words
Folklore
Folklore Studies
History of Ancient China
History of Archeography
History of Chinese Studies
History of Classical Chinese Literature
History of Modern Chinese Literature
History of Western Literature
Identification of Ancient Books and Protection
Introduction to Literary Theory
Investigation of Dialects
Literature and Studies of Modern China
Literature from an Artist’s Point of View
Literature Studies
Modern Chinese
Modern Chinese Vocabulary
Modernization and Modern Chinese Literature
Outline of Classical Scriptures
Outline of Folklore Literature
Phonology of the Chinese Studies
Principles of Literature
Readings of Yuanza Drama
Research of Luxun
Research of Modern Chinese Grammar
Research of Modern Chinese Poems
Research of Zhuang Sao
Selected Readings of Classical Chinese
Semantics
Shakespearean Theatre
Standard Mandarin and Dialects
Studies of Textual Criticism
Taiwan Literature
Works of Contemporary Chinese Literature
Writing in Chinese

Department of History
African American History
Ancient Asian Civilizations
Ancient Chinese History
Ancient Chinese Politics and Culture
Ancient History of China
Beginning Modern Greek Studies
Chinese Calligraphy (Techniques and Theories)
Comparative Urban History
Contemporary General Modern Chinese History
Contemporary History of Chinese/Japanese Relations
Contemporary History of Chinese Society
Contemporary World History
European History
European Renaissance Art and Literature
Fundamentals of the Italian Studies
General Ancient Chinese History
General Modern Chinese History
General World History
History of the Foreign Policy of the Late Qing Dynasty
History of Middle Ages in Europe
History of Modern International Politics
History of the People’s Republic of China
History of Sino-Foreign Relations in the 20th Century
History of Southeast Asia
History of Tibet and China
History of Women in China and Traditional Culture
Modern World History
North American History
Politics and Culture in Traditional China
Politics and Literature of Ancient China and Western Europe
Reading in Modern Greek Studies
Research Approach of the Ming and Qing Dynasty
Social Investigation and Research of History
Topics of General History
Topics of History of England
Topics of the Qin Dynasty
Topics of the Republic of China

Guanghua School of Management
Accounting Information System
Advanced Financial Accounting
Applied Statistics Analysis
Auditing Principles
Business Finance and Taxation Decision-Making
Case Studies of Marketing
Civil and Commercial Law
Econometrics
Employment and Training
Enterprise Ethics
Finance Demonstration
Finance Econometrics
Financial Accounting
Financial Accounting Theory and Decision-Making
Gaming and Society
Human Resources Management
International Finance
Macroeconomics
Management of Logistics and Supplies
Market Finance and Market Structure
Mathematical Statistics
Operations Research
Organization Theory
Production Management
Salary Management
Social Psychology
Study of Stock Markets

School for International Studies
Analysis of Foreign Affairs Practice
Chinese and American Relations with Taiwan Situation
Comparison of Political Systems
Contemporary China and International Relations
Economics of Foreign Affairs
Foreign Affairs Policy Making Theories and Practices
History of Chinese and American Relations
International Trade and Finance
Modern Thought of Western Politics
Non-Governmental Foreign Affairs
Overseas Chinese and Chinese Society
Politics of China and Asia in Foreign Affairs
Problems of Nation in World Politics
Studies of Politics in Globalization
Topics of Nation State
Topics of Taiwan
World Religion and World Society

This course listing is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract between CIEE and any applicant, student, institution, or other party. The courses, as described, may be subject to changes as a result ofongoing curricular revisions, assignment of lecturers and teaching staff, and program development. Courses may be cancelled due to insufficient enrollment. Syllabi for the CIEE courses listed above are available upon request.


CIEE Study Center Syllabi
To view the most recent syllabi for courses taught by CIEE at our Study Centers, visit our syllabi site.

Faculty

All direct enrollment courses are taught by PKU faculty. The CIEE course is coordinated by the Resident Director.

Cultural Activities

Cultural Activities and Field Trips
Guided field trips are organized to historic and cultural sites in and around Beijing, such as the Great Wall, Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven, the Dashanzi Art District, and various other famous sites of interest. Cultural activities may include the Beijing Opera and an acrobatic show. Classes in calligraphy, painting, taijiquan, stamp cutting, and traditional Chinese musical instruments are also offered. Although there are no formal community service activities in this program, volunteer opportunities can be arranged by CIEE staff.

Cultural Reimbursement Program
As a means of encouraging students to enrich their study abroad experience, CIEE offers a Cultural Reimbursement Program. Through this program, students are reimbursed for their participation in such cultural activities as Chinese film screenings, theater performances, traditional music concerts, and visits to local museums and historic places of interest. Students are encouraged to invite peer tutors to such events when possible.

Immersion

Extended Weekend Excursion
An extended weekend excursion to Xian, Hangzhou, Nanjing, or Henan allows students to learn about areas outside of Beijing and to utilize their Chinese language skills under the leadership of the Resident Director. The location is selected prior to each term and changes each semester. Several Chinese students accompany the group to help foster a Chinese-speaking environment during the trip. Students are expected to maintain their language commitment during all program activities.

Peer Language Tutor Program
The CIEE Peer Language Tutor program at PKU is a unique hallmark of the program and ensures that students’ linguistic and cultural fluency progresses throughout the program. CIEE students are paired with PKU students for weekly one-on-one Chinese language tutorials for a total of three to four hours per week. These tutorials provide students guided support in academic writing and research in a Chinese context, which is integrated into the required CIEE core course, Tutorial for Advanced Research and Writing. They also provide students extra conversation practice in Mandarin and guidance with homework assignments, while giving students an opportunity to befriend and be a part of the lives of their Chinese peers. Past students have stated that their peer tutors were one of the best and most unique aspects of the CIEE program.

Target Language Meals
To encourage students to utilize their Chinese in an informal setting, CIEE arranges monthly group meals for students, their teachers, peer tutors, and resident staff. Students attending the optional meals are required to speak only Chinese.