China: Past and Present (Summer 2025)

In this hybrid study abroad program, students will travel to China for the first three weeks of summer quarter and then return to UW Tacoma to continue their coursework. The program will be mainly headquartered in Wuhan with local site visits to Wuhan University, Yellow Crane Tower, Hubei Provincial Museum, and much more!

Following the three week in-country portion of the program, students will continue to engage in study abroad related coursework and will be required to participate in a schedule of activities that will incorporate material from all three of the program courses (Philosophy, History, and Conversational Chinese/"Experiencing China"). These activities will include guided online discussion sessions and writing assignments.

Wuhan, the capital of Hubei province, is located near the geographic center of China, at the confluence of the Yangzi and Han rivers. It is the ninth largest city in China, with a population of nearly 14 million. As such, it has a long history stretching back to before the dynastic period, and a rich historical record. In the modern period, Wuhan was the location where the first shots of the Revolution of 1911 were fired, ending the Qing dynasty and opening the path for China's revolutionary 20th century that culminated in the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949.

This study abroad program is taught by Dr. Mary Hanneman, Professor Lily Li, and Dr. Yi Li from UW Tacoma and Tacoma Community College.

Academic Content

This program does not have any prerequisites or language requirements. Students receive a total of fifteen credits for the program as follows:

THIST 251 Global History in the 20th Century (5 credits)

Surveys the interactive political, economic, cultural, and social developments that shaped the 20th-century world to the present, the Asian experience in the 20th century and the backdrop of China and East Asia as an entry point. 

Learning Goals Include:

Understand the historical and continuing impact of main issues in the global experience of the 20th century, including

• Imperialism and colonialism
• Communism and its opponents
• Nationalism, ultra-nationalism and Fascism
• Race, racism and their impact on international relations and politics
• Cold War politics and international relations
• Asia's role in the impact on the global 20th century

TPHIL 351 Chinese Philosophy and Religion (5 credits)

This course introduces to students the major intellectual currents in Chinese philosophy, focusing on Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism.

Learning Goals Include:

• Understand the historical development of each of the traditional Chinese philosophies
• Identify problems in distinguishing reality from perceived reality and how these problems are addressed by philosophers
• Explain the different ways Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism view reality and how they reconcile ideas of the "One" and the "many"
• Describe as what counts as knowledge and the different ways knowledge can be obtained
• Identify and explain the core Buddhist, Confucian, and Taoist concepts
• Explain the role virtue plays in ethics
• Discuss the differences between virtue ethics, ethics as social obligation, and religious ethics
• Examine the different descriptions of the self in Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism
• Examine attitudes, values, and assumptions and assess their implications in a variety of contexts

TIAS 480 Experiencing China (5 credits)

This course will introduce students to Chinese culture and our host city. Topics will include Chinese language (Mandarin), art, calligraphy, and martial arts, among others. These topics will be explored through a combination of field trips, lectures, discussion, and written assignments. 

Learning Goals Include:

• Develop a theoretical understanding through the direct experience of Chinese society, culture, history, and philosophy
• ​Develop intercultural knowledge and understanding
• Develop some basic competency in Mandarin Chinese
• Develop reflective skills based on their reflections on globalization, experiences in a foreign country, inter-cultural interactions, discussions and presentations with their peers and instructors, both Chinese and American

Program Schedule

The program runs from June 23-August 22, 2025. Students will spend June 23 to July 13 in China and will be required to participate in online instructional activities after returning from abroad. 

Housing

Students will be staying in hotels. Rooms are double occupancy; single rooms may be requested in advance (depending on availability; additional fees apply). Rooms include bathroom with western-style toilet and are equipped with a telephone, television, air conditioning, bed linens and towels.

Student Eligibility

Undergraduates in "good academic standing" (2.0 or above), from any UW campus may apply. The program best suits undergraduate students with or without previous experience related to China. Students in History, Philosophy, Economics, Business and other programs will find this study abroad program attractive. The credits can be applied toward the UWT/IAS Asian Studies minor. We also welcome applications from non-matriculated students. Students who have not yet earned a high school diploma or equivalent are not eligible for our study abroad programs.

Application Deadline (extended!)

Applications are due on January 31, 2025. Applicants will be notified of acceptance decisions two weeks after the deadline. Once accepted to the program, applicants will need to confirm their participation in the program two weeks after acceptance. 

Travel Documents and Insurance 

All program participants must have a valid passport in order to travel to China.

Visas

A visa is required for U.S. citizens to travel to China. Program directors will help students apply for visas by providing information for the applications as well as by providing information about visa services to submit applications to the Chinese consulate in San Francisco. Students who are not U.S. citizens will be assisted to determine whether they need visas.

If you are a citizen of another country, you can research visa requirements by calling the consular offices of countries you plan to visit by going to the following website: http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/country.html. 

The cost and requirements for obtaining visas vary. It is your responsibility to determine visa requirements for all countries you plan to visit while abroad including countries that you plan to visit before or after your study abroad program. This is an especially important consideration if you are planning to do more than one study abroad program.

Insurance 

The University of Washington requires students engaged in educational activities abroad – including study, research, internships or community engagement – to purchase UW Student Abroad Insurance. If you are a current UW student, you are required to purchase coverage UW Student Abroad Insurance. Details are on the UW Study Abroad Insurance page.

Program Cost

Check back later for the official program cost!

Included in the cost of the program:

• $470 Administrative Fee
• Instruction (15 credits)
• Housing and some meals while students are abroad
• Program activities and program travel

Not Included:

• Airfare
• Meals (except as listed above)
• UW Student Abroad Insurance
• Transportation to and from the airport in the U.S.
• Personal expenses (phone calls, eating out, etc.)
• Textbooks
• Visa cost

Payment Due Date: July 5, 2025

Program fees will be posted to your MyUW student account and can be paid the same way that you pay tuition and other fees. Check your MyUW Account periodically for due dates.

Withdrawals

The $470 UW Study Abroad Administrative Fees are non-refundable once a contract has been submitted. Students withdrawing from a program are responsible for paying a percentage of the program fee depending on the date of withdrawal. More details about the withdrawal policy are included in your payment contract. No part of the program fee is refundable once the program has begun (please refer to Emergency Withdrawal information below, if applicable). The date of withdrawal is considered the business day a withdrawal form is received by the Office of Global Affairs. Notice of withdrawal from the program must be made in writing by completing the following steps:

Please email uwtintl@uw.edu and copy your program director(s) providing notice that you will no longer be participating in the program. You will also need to respond to any further communication from the Office of Global Affairs to finalize your withdrawal.

Emergency Withdrawal 

If you cannot participate in a study abroad program, you may submit an Emergency Withdrawal Petition. If granted, the Emergency Withdrawal may allow for partial relief from your financial obligations to the program.

An Emergency Withdrawal Petition may be submitted in the following circumstances:

• Unanticipated change in financial situation
• Medical emergency
• Death in immediate family
• Active military duty
• Unusual or extenuating circumstances

To submit an Emergency Withdrawal Petition, complete this form and email it to uwtintl@uw.edu. 

Financial Aid and Scholarships

• A large percentage of UW students utilize financial aid to study abroad. Most types of financial aid can be applied to study abroad fees.
• For UW Tacoma students, you can submit a revision request to increase the amount of aid for the quarter you are studying abroad. These additional funds are usually awarded in the form of loans. To apply, fill out a revision request form, attach the budget sheet (available via the link at the top of this brochure) and submit these documents to the UW Tacoma Office of Financial Aid.
• For UW Seattle or Bothell Students, you can apply by filling out a revision request form, attach the budget sheet (available via the link at the top of this brochure) and submit these documents to the Office of Financial Aid.
• Consult the Financial Aid section on the UW Study Abroad website for more information on applying for financial aid, special considerations for summer and early fall programs, and budgeting and fundraising tips
• Please also review this list of scholarships: these are opportunities that can help fund your study abroad experience. Please note that many of them have deadlines before your study abroad application is due. For help with the application process, please contact uwtintl@uw.edu.

Budgeting Tools

We understand that figuring out your finances for study abroad can be complicated, and we are here to help. Here are some ways to find additional support:

• Click on the Budget Sheets link at the top of this brochure to view the estimated budget of all expenses for this program.
• UW Tacoma students can attend a How to Fund Your Study Abroad event - more information is on the Events page of our website.

Changes in Cost or Scope of Program

In the event of significant devaluations of the dollar, some adjustments to program activities may be necessary. If there are any political events that might compromise the safety of the participants, a rescheduling or cancellation of the program may be necessary. If such changes occur, students will be notified of the changes and options will be presented.

Orientation

To be eligible to study abroad, all program participants must attend an online pre-departure orientation facilitated by UW Study Abroad as well as your program-specific orientations, offered by your program directors. Orientation must be completed prior to the enrollment deadline for the quarter that you are studying abroad.

Program Cancellation

If viable enrollment is not reached by April 15, 2025, the program will be cancelled. Participants will be notified and the administrative and program fees will be refunded.

Disability Accommodation