Summer Travel Study
Global Studies: Consequences of the New Market Economy
Please note this program has been suspended for 2020.
Nowhere on earth is the pace of change more breathtaking than in Shanghai. Anything seems possible in the world’s largest city of 25 million residents, which, in a decade, transformed farmland across the river from “old Shanghai” into the entirely new and globally oriented “second city” of Pudong.
Shanghai is among the most exciting and fastest-growing metropolises, on its way to becoming one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world. This dynamic and eclectic city is still presided over by the Communist Party of the People’s Republic, though in a manner very different from what Mao envisaged 50 years ago.
Aimed at enabling students to learn about and research globalization from a Shanghai-ese perspective, this intensive program will be a rich, fun, and transformative experience. Students will not only get to know the city of Shanghai but also participate in the process of globalization from the local perspective. The program emphasizes interactive learning, participant observation, sympathetic understanding, and cross-cultural exchange. These goals will be achieved by way of formal lectures, seminar discussions, cultural exchange labs, field trips, and a mini-research project based on fieldwork and interviews. The hands-on experience and intimate knowledge gained by living everyday life the local way coupled with doing research on Chinese society and culture will be the most memorable part of this program.
All students are expected to have taken at least an introductory course on globalization prior to participating in the summer program as a basic understanding of globalization issues will be assumed for all participants. For more information on prerequisites, please see curriculum section below.
Curriculum
Program Courses
All students will enroll in two required courses while attending the program:
- GLBL ST 110A (5 units)
- GLBL ST 110B (5 units)
Course Descriptions
GLBL ST 110A (5 units): Globalization in Context
GLBL ST 110B* (5 units):Globalization In Context Research Seminar
*Can be applied towards the Diversity requirement for the College of Letters and Science, School of Music and Public Affairs. Courses can also fulfill major requirements for Anthropology, Asian Studies, and International Development Studies.
Prerequisites:
UCLA Global Studies majors – GLBL ST 1, 102, 103, and 104
UCLA Global Studies minors – GLBL ST 1, and two from the following list: 102, 103, 104
UCLA non-majors or Non-UCLA students – GLBL ST 1 (or an equivalent globalization/international relations course for Non-UCLA students) + instructor consent.
*Prerequisites can be waived on a case by case basis. Please contact the undergraduate advisor for Global Studies for additional information.
These courses explore the multifaceted nature of contemporary globalization and the social, political and economic faces of development. Students will examine the expansion of markets and its relationship to political processes and social dynamics. General themes about marketization, democratization and culture and identity will be analyzed in the context of the particular experiences of different countries around the world. The courses will combine required readings with classroom discussion, experiential learning, and primary research.
Grading
Grades will be based on attendance, class participation, mid-term and final examinations, as well as a research paper. Instructors reserve the right to vary this format.
Schedule
All schedules, itineraries, and group activities are subject to change at the discretion of the instructor.
Textbooks
You are responsible for purchasing your own textbooks. We strongly suggest you read as much of the text material as possible before you leave. Textbook information will be available at a later date.
Budget and Financial Aid
| Budget | UC Undergrads | UC Grad Students | Visiting Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Program Fee | $5,000 | $5,500 | $5,500 |
| Textbooks (estimate) | $150 | $150 | $150 |
| Tourist Visa | $140 | $140 | $140 |
| Airfare (estimate) | $1900 | $1900 | $1900 |
| Meals (estimate) | $700 | $700 | $700 |
| Spending Money (estimate) | $500 | $500 | $500 |
Program fee includes registration and course fees, accommodations, program excursions, breakfast, and health insurance.
Airfare, tourist visa, textbooks, optional courses, most meals and optional excursions are additional.
Fees are subject to change by action of the UC Regents.
Document Fee
Non-UCLA students will be charged a $50 Document Fee. This is a one-time document fee which covers fees for first-class mailing of official transcripts, diploma and much more. Please visit the Registrar’s Office Website for more information. Matriculated UCLA Students: Please visit the Registrar’s Office Website for document fee information.
IEI Fee
All undergraduate students will be charged a $61 IEI fee per summer. The IEI (Instructional Enhancement Initiative) fee is a course materials fee that is charged in order to support the use of technology in undergraduate education at UCLA. For more information please click here.
Budgeting
We recommend that you budget accordingly to cover optional sightseeing, laundry, meals, emergencies, etc. How much to budget depends on your travel, entertainment, and souvenir choices. It is always best to overestimate your spending. Take the time to research the cost of living in your destination and the activities you want to participate in while abroad.
Purchasing Airfare
Please do not purchase airfare until instructed to do so by your Travel Study Program Coordinator.
Scholarships
Merit-based scholarships from the UCLA International Institute are available for several outstanding UCLA Global Studies majors or minors participating on a Global Studies summer program. Global Studies majors/minors must have a 3.50 GPA overall for their academic studies at UCLA. Since scholarships are limited in number, we recommend that UCLA students interested in the program’s scholarship also apply for financial aid by the necessary deadlines.
Financial Aid
Financial aid for Summer Sessions Travel Study programs is available to qualified UCLA students. All other students should inquire about financial aid at their home institution. For details about the financial aid application process, please visit the financial aid section of this website
On Location
Accommodations
Students will stay in dorm rooms for international students at Shanghai East China Normal University. Dorms consist of standard double rooms with private bathroom, internet access, and air-conditioning.
UCLA International Education Office reserves the right to change housing location. Should this be necessary, we will arrange comparable accommodations elsewhere.
Meals
Breakfast is included in the program fee. There are many student cafeterias on campus. The cost is about US $10 per day.
If you have strict dietary requirements, this program may not be able to accommodate your needs. Please let us know when you apply for this program if you have special dietary needs as well as any physical or medical conditions. We will advise you accordingly.
Excursions
This program includes several excursions as part of its curriculum.
Limited free time is built into this program for independent sightseeing. If you plan on traveling extensively, we recommend that you budget additional spending money.
Student Stories
UCLA Shanghai Travel Study Blog
