International Urbanization Seminar - Beijing Studio
The International Urbanization Seminar is an interdisciplinary experiential learning course that offers students a comparative approach to investigating sustainable cities, focusing on urbanization in the world’s two largest economies and biggest emitters of greenhouse gases: China and the United States. In this course, we explore the major drivers of urbanization and initiatives to promote more sustainable growth. We also investigate tradeoffs and choices related to land use, energy and water resources, and the need to balance economic vitality, environmental quality, cultural heritage, and social equity.
By understanding the American and Chinese contexts of urbanization, students will develop a toolkit to navigate multiple pathways to sustainable development in an international setting. Cross-cultural exchange and cooperative design projects constitute the backbone of the experience. Students from the U.S. and China complete a series of urban laboratories and form multinational teams to develop and execute projects related to environmental or social sustainability. Students will showcase their work at the annual Human Cities Expo in December 2017.
To learn more about past student experiences, see this video.
Use this application to apply for the 10-week course in Fall 2017 and the optional 2-week summer fieldwork experience in Beijing from September 2017.
- Immersive learning experience about China urbanization trends
- Seminars with interdisciplinary Tsinghua University students and faculty
- Interaction with China sustainability experts and organizations
- On-the-ground urban fieldwork and methods training
Stanford University will subsidize your stay and travel within Beijing, including double occupancy hotel room for 14 nights, airport transfers to and from the hotel, the opening and closing dinner banquet, and group cultural activities.
Students are responsible for covering their own roundtrip airfare to and from Beijing Capital International Airport, all meals during the trip except opening and closing dinner, ground transportation except airport transfers while in Beijing, obtaining a China visa, and completing health immunizations as noted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website: http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/china
If you require financial assistance, we will consult the Office of Financial Aid to determine whether you are be eligible for an supplementary stipend of up to $800.
Information Session
We will hold a mandatory orientation during Spring Quarter 2017 for all Beijing studio participants. If you cannot make this event because you are studying abroad, we will arrange for you to meet the instructors via teleconference. Once you commit to the trip, we ask that you honor your commitment and refrain from last minute cancellations, as this would prevent those on the waitlist from benefiting from the trip.
Autumn Course Enrollment
As a participant of the Beijing studio, you are required to enroll in the International Urbanization Seminar [CEE126/ URBANST145/ EARTHSYS138/ IPS274] in Autumn 2017 for a letter grade and continue the project that you start over the summer while in Beijing with your international teammates. The class will meet Mondays and Wednesdays from 1:30-3PM, and a weekly evening lab on Monday evenings from 4:30-7PM. All three time slots are required - no exceptions.
