Seminar on China: The Place and the Peoples
A Fulbright Hays Group Projects Abroad
Through a grant from the U.S. Department of Education Fulbright-Hays Group Projects Abroad program,
Texas A&M University is able to provide an immersion experience in Chinese culture in Summer 2010
for thirteen Texas world history, world geography and Chinese language teachers. The Seminar on China,
May 31-June 30, will last just over four weeks and consist of classroom and field experiences, cultural
tours, observation of teaching processes, and small group discussions comparing curriculum standards in
Texas and China. The itinerary will take the participants to cities across China -- Beijing, Kunming,
Huhehot and Urumqi -- and in contact with dominant and minority cultures.
The overarching goal of the project is to develop educators' intercultural competence and enhance social
studies curriculum and instruction on China in middle and high school classrooms in the State. The program
was developed by Texas A&M's Department of Teaching, Learning and Culture, in conjunction with the University's
Institute for Pacific Asia and Office of International Outreach, the Texas Educational Agency, the Texas
Council for the Social Studies and, in China, the National Association of Educational Administrators.
The program includes pre- and post-departure activities, plus the 31-day experience in China. Seminar
participants are required to take part in all activities. The pre-departure communication, planning and
orientation will take place February - May 2010, with a weekend pre-departure workshop tentatively scheduled
for April 9-11. Upon their return, participating teachers will be expected to disseminate accurate and relevant
information about Chinese ethnic groups and culture to peers through a series of conferences and multi-media
products. They will also participate in an International Outreach Education workshop to be held on the campus
of Texas A&M University, for World History/Geography and Mandarin language teachers from throughout the state.
All Texas middle and secondary school teachers, with at least three years experience teaching world cultures, world
history, world geography or, Chinese language (Mandarin) are eligible. Preference will be given to those who have not visited
China. Applications must be submitted online.
The deadline is November 1, 2009. Successful
applicants will be notified by December 10, 2009.
Airfare and all costs in China (except personal spending money) will be covered by the grant.
U.S. expenses are not covered; so each participant must pay for a passport, visa, immunizations
and materials to take to China. Participants also will have to pay approximately $350 for the
pre-departure workshop. Participants will receive professional development credit.
They may also receive course credit if they are registered students in the College
of Education and Human Development at Texas A&M University, College Station.
For further information, contact Dr. Lynne Walters at lynne-walters@tamu.edu or 281-363-0678.
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