Bing Overseas Studies Program

Beijing Overview

Please be advised that there are some outstanding program details awaiting final confirmation, and we are dedicated to ensuring their resolution before the application deadline.

Academic Objective

The primary objective of the program is to provide students with a fundamental understanding of China’s role in the global system and the various factors that brought the country to where it is today. By attending lectures in English from Stanford faculty who are top experts in China Studies and experienced leaders in US diplomacy, students will learn about Chinese politics, policies and challenges while living in Beijing.

Academic Prerequisites

No academic prerequisites. Strongly recommended that students have taken some contemporary China courses.

Language Study

No prior Chinese language required.

Course Credit 

Each course will be 4-5 credits, and each student will be expected to enroll in a full load of 3 courses. The courses will be combined with field visits.

Course Offerings 

  • The Logic of Governance in Contemporary China
    • Xueguang Zhou, Kwoh-Ting Li Professor in Economic Development, a professor of Sociology, and a Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies Senior Fellow.
  • Technology and Governance in China
    • Jennifer Pan, Sir Robert Ho Tung Professor of Chinese Studies, Professor of Communication, Senior Fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies and Professor, by courtesy, of Political Science and of Sociology.
  • A Hands-On Anthropological Introduction: Health, Politics, and Culture of Contemporary China
    • Matthew Kohrman, Associate Professor of Anthropology and Senior Fellow, by courtesy, at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies.
  • Understanding China's Rise
    • Andrew Walder, the Denise O'Leary and Kent Thiry Professor, Senior Fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies.
  • OSPBEIJ 199A: Directed Reading
    • Instructor: Pan, Jennifer
      Only available with prior permission of the instructor
  • OSPBEIJ 199B: Directed Reading
    • Instructor: Walder, Andrew
    • Only available with prior permission of the instructor

Visas

Upon acceptance into the program, students will be issued an official China visa invitation letter. It is the responsibility of the student to gather all necessary documents, insure that their passport is valid for the appropriate period, and make their application to the relevant Chinese embassy or Consulate, depending on their residency. Associated costs for the Chinese visa application are the responsibility of the student and could be upwards of $185.

Housing

Students will be housed in one of the international student housing complexes at PKU. The facilities typically are double occupancy with private bath/shower, air conditioning, phone, and internet access. Linens such as pillows, blankets and two sets of sheets are provided and there are coin-operated laundry facilities on site.

View an information session recording here. Must use your Stanford credentials to log in.