Grad Semester Programs:
China Studies Institute

The China Studies Institute (CSI), formerly known as the Beijing Institute of Asian Studies, was founded by American University in 1985 to serve as a center of dialogue and learning between American and Chinese students. CSI began operating as an independent entity in 2004 and quickly became a top destination for students from around the world wishing to study in China. The Institute is located on the campus of Peking University, the most prestigious university in China, and affiliated with the University’s School of International Studies and Department of History.

CSI offers AU graduate students the opportunity to conduct research with a faculty member from Peking University. Research topics vary according to each student’s interests and could include:

• US-China relations
• Chinese foreign policy, politics, and political reform
• Chinese media and society
• Environmental issues in China
• Chinese economic development

A semester-long seminar covering China’s role in the world will also be offered at CSI during select semesters. Students can also be placed in semester-long internship positions with organizations in Beijing or Shanghai and/or enroll in language courses offered at CSI.

All work – research, seminar, internships – can be completed in English. However, SIS encourages students to take at least one Mandarin language course before applying to the program. AU students wishing to apply must secure the approval of their AU school’s Office of Academic Affairs (Graduate Advising) and a research/internship supervisor from among the AU faculty in advance. All research, seminar, and internship credits earned at CSI are fully transferable to AU transcripts. A mandatory international student orientation takes place at AUC prior to the start of the semester for those accepted into the program.

Beijing is the ancient capital of five different dynasties and the political, educational, and cultural center of the People’s Republic of China. Within the city lies an array of old and new cultural treasures, including the Forbidden City and the Birds’ Nest from the 2008 Summer Olympics, and the Great Wall stretches across the municipality in the north. Beijing is also home to a variety of global firms, as well as major think tanks, research institutes, and non-governmental organizations. A semester abroad in Beijing promises to be remarkable one.

Application deadline for Fall 2009: April 15

Questions? Contact the SIS Office of International Programs at sissum@american.edu