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Hosted by Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania
Original Program Description
The Bloomsburg University Honors Program is delighted to facilitate this year's summer program. This is the second attempt by a SSHE institution to have a China experience. The previous effort was ended by the SARS epidemic several years ago. We certainly hope that that bit of history does not repeat itself!
The importance of understanding China as we go forward in the 21st century can not be overstated. How many of the things you buy are made in China? This summer's program offers a great opportunity to find out directly about China and the Chinese People, to form your own opinions and come to your own conclusions. This will be done by learning about Chinese culture and civilization and then applying what has been learned to collecting and then interpreting various information at different places in China.
The original leaders of the Bloomsburg team were Dr. Jing Luo of the Bloomsburg University Department of Languages and Cultures and Dr. James Pomfret. Dr. Luo is a native of China and is fluent Chinese speaker. Dr. Luo teaches both Chinese language and Chinese culture and civilization courses at BU. Dr. Pomfret is a professor of mathematics at BU. Together Drs Luo and Pomfret have traveled to China and other countries in Asia more than 15 times, most oftentimes with student groups. Unfortunately, this fall Dr. Pomfret was hospitalized with a heart ailment that turns out to be quite serious. Consequently he is retiring from the university at the end of this semester. Dr. Lisa Lister, also from the mathematics department will be taking Dr. Pomfret's place. Dr. Lister regularly teaches the mathematics course that has been modified for the summer trip. Dr. Pomfret continues to be involved in the planning of the program and making arrangements and in passing on his experience to Dr. Lister.
This brochure describes outlines the summer experience and also tells you how to apply.
Preparation Documents:
Release Form; Medical history
International Field Trip Waiver
Contact Emeric Schultz for more information: eschultz@bloomu.edu
Updated Program Description (April 22, 2008)
Power Point Presentation by Dr. Jim Pomfret (at Orientation) PP format pdf format
Summer Program Itinerary (see brochure for overview)
Faculty and Staff for Summer Honors 2008
- Dr Jing Luo
- Dr. Youmin Lu
- Dr Roberta Soltz
- Mr. Daniel Brown
Courses
China Today
Survey Analysis and Design
Other Informational Links: |
UPDATES
C - 3
CHECK EVERY DAY FOR UPDATES
May 12, 2008 (C -3) (that's as in D-3 being 3 days before D-Day)
All student arrived safely yesterday including a late pair from way west at Slippery Rock who were held up by bad weather which they apparently brought with them! All students sere able to appreciate the hospitality of Drs. David and Roberta Soltz, Bloomsburg's president and his wife. A great Chineses buffet including cocunut ice cream for dessert was enjoyed by all. Student got to know each other before dinner and after dinner there was a brief orientation before heading back to the dorm in Elwell Hall.
From this point updates will be done on a daily basis on separate pages. Starting from the top.
May 7, 2008
Getting Closer! Directly below there are some important informational items. REVIEW ALL OF THESE BEFORE COMING TO BU AND IF NEEDED RESPOND TO US
Some suggestion of what to consider when packing travel tips
Some important do's and don't and how how will check in at BU on Sunday checking in & do's and don't
Updated map to BU - this will direct you to the parking garage you were shown when you were here at orientation.
The updated schedule at what you will be doing at Bloomsburg prior to leaving for China.
May 5, 2008
We are getting close to start of our China adventure.
First - some concerns that have arisen and some straight talk:
1) the flu epidemic that you may have heard about in China is one that affects young children and should not be a concern; the bird flu problem of some years ago is well under control. For additional straight talk about health issues in China go to this website
2) we will be taking some trains; the recent train crash in China was actually near one of the places we will be visiting. Passenger train traffic in China is much larger in volume than in the US. The safety record is very good.
3) the political environment with respect to the west has chilled. We have discovered in attempting to get a late visa. You will be briefed on what is politically correct and what is not - please no apparel with political statements! Given the Tibetan situation and the religious connection, we have modified the study questions - see below.
Luggage: what to pack - full list will be up tomorrow
Logistics of checking in/activities at BU - details tomorrow
Reading assignment - Dr. Lu would like everyone to read the first 40 pages in the Survival Statistics book. If you have not obtained the book we would like you to get the hard copy since the downloads are a bit cumbersome. If you have the downloads that will still be ok. Here is a reminder of where to get the book: survival stats
Revised study questions - because of the political/religious environment, we have eliminated the first question about religion. To take advantage of Dr. Soltz's expertise in environmental issues we have added several questions that are environment related
Revised survey questions
April 24, 2008
We will be doing some questions on environmental issues in the Survey and Design course. Dr. Soltz has found a wonderful article that should arouse your interest. Click on the link below.
Environmental History - China
When you arrive at BU we will be setting up our teams - the questions you should be thinking about are being slightly revised to add our environmental questions and will be posted shortly.
April 10, 2008
This site has been changed for better connection to subsidiary information and in anticipation of what will be happening in Bloomsburg and what will be happening in China. This column will be for announcements The middle column will be for detailed information in several different categories and links to other pages.
On Monday, April 7 Dr. Lisa Lister informed Honors director Emeric Schultz that she had thyroid cancer and would not be able to go on the China trip because of surgery and subsequent radiation therapy. The Mathematics Department at BU solicited replacements for Dr. Lister. We are fortunate that Dr. Youmin Lu has agreed to substitute for Dr. Lister. (all these L's!). Dr. Lister will be helping Dr. Lu in preparation for the course. We are fortunate to have Dr. Lu on this trip as he is another native Chinese speaker. More on Dr. Lu later.
Dr. Jing Luo is currently in China adding last minute details to our China adventure.
