China Now: Development, Politics, and Social Change 

Hosted by Beijing Language and Culture University

Academics

This program offers students 12 class hours per week of Chinese language during the fall and spring semesters and 15 hours per week during the summer as well as the opportunity to examine modern China through courses in English in several disciplines including economics, film studies, women’s studies, and cultural studies. Students may enroll for a semester, summer, or academic year, or a combination of a semester and summer term. Students are encouraged to consider spending their second term in China in a different Alliance program to deepen their knowledge of China’s regional diversity. 

The University

Founded in 1962, the Beijing Language and Culture University (BLCU) is considered to be one of the nation’s premier institutions for the teaching of Chinese language and culture to foreigners. The majority of Chinese Language textbooks are written at BLCU by BLCU professors.  These books are used in Chinese classrooms across the United States and throughout the world. The Alliance uses the textbook series, New Practical Chinese Reader, written by BLCU professors in the majority of our Chinese language classes.  Upper level courses use additional texts and supplementary instructional materials.  For details on specific texts for courses, please click on links to our syllabi on the Courses tabs of each respective program.

BLCU confers degrees at Bachelor, Master and PhD levels and is comprised of 11 faculties and research institutes. The university hosts 14,000 foreign and Chinese students. It is located in the Haidian district, which is home to the majority of Beijing’s universities.

Pre-Requisites

Students are required to have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and to be enrolled in an undergraduate degree program at an accredited U.S. institution. No prior study of the Chinese language is required to participate in the BLCU program. Language instruction is offered at the beginning through advanced levels.

Coursework

All students are required to take a Chinese language course as well as Area Studies courses taught in English. Students' placement in the Chinese language course will be contingent upon the results of a placement exam after arrival in China.

During the fall and spring terms, students receive 15 credits. In the summer term, students receive 9 credits. To view class syllabi and faculty CVs, please click "Courses" on left hand side of the page. Click here to view a full listing of textbooks and lessons by Alliance program and Chinese language level.

Internships

Students with at least three prior semesters of Chinese language instruction may apply for one of a limited number of internships available on the BLCU program. To read more about internships, please click "Internships" on the left hand side of the page.

Class size

Classes are offered exclusively for Alliance students. Chinese language classes average 6-8 students per class. 

Faculty and Staff

All language faculty are jointly selected by the Alliance and BLCU to teach the Alliance students in exclusive classes. Chinese language courses are taught by full-time BLCU teachers. Area Studies courses are taught by faculty from various universities in Beijing. All area studies faculty have a PhD.  To view faculty CVs, please click "Courses" on the left hand side of the page.

Meet our on-site staff members Han Bing and Guo Wenjing, who keep the BLCU program running smoothly.

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