Seminar in Chinese Librarianship
Special Topics Course LSC 597: Global Education for Librarians and Information Professionals, Seminar in Chinese Librarianship.
When:
The two-week Summer Seminar in Chinese Librarianship will be offered from May 25 - June 5, 2009
Location:
Department of Information Resources Management, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
Instructors:
Dr. Yan Ma
GSLIS, URI
Dr. Ye, Ying
Dean, Department of Information Resources Management
Zhejiang University, China 310028
Course Description:
The Seminar will provide students and professionals with an opportunity to travel to China to study the history of Chinese librarianship and libraries and information services from the ancient to the contemporary times. (GSLIS)
Experience Chinese libraries:
- How do Chinese libraries function?
- How do they compare to libraries in the US?
- What are the Strentths and weaknesses of each?
- What are the cultural origins of Chinese libraries?
- Visit, tour, and meet with staff of the oldest, newest, academic, public, private/special, and National Chinese libraries?
- Participants learn about different types of libraries and librarianship in China?
Live on campus and attend lectures with their Chinese students. This is an opportunity for a rich cultural immersion within your professional field.
Academic Activities:
I. Printing and History of Books in China
Library Tour 1: Visit the Oldest and Traditional Paper-making Site.
II. History of Chinese Libraries
Four Types of Ancient Libraries in China:
- Official libraries
- Private libraries
- Academy libraries
- Temple libraries
Library Tour 2: A Traditional Chinese Library (Tian Yi Ge in Ning Bo, the oldest library in China
Library Tour 3: A Famous Temple Library (Ling Ying Temple, a Modern Library in Ling Ying Temple)
III. Modern Chinese Libraries
Four Types of Modern Libraries in China:
- University libraries
- Public libraries
- Special libraries
- School libraries
Library Tour 4: Visit Zhejiang University Library and the US-China Million Book Project.
Library Tour 5: Jiaotong University Library in Shanghai.
IV. Chinese Public Libraries
Library Tour 6: Visit Zhejiang Public Library and Shanghai Library, which is the most contemporary public library in China or Asia.
V. Chinese Special Libraries and Records/Archives Management
Library Tour 7 : Visit a Chinese Special Library and Records/Archives Museum
VI. Chinese School Libraries
Library Tour 8: Visit a Chinese School Library
VII. Visit National Library in Beijing
Academic Credit
The Seminar is a 3-credit course from GSLIS. Participants are asked to attend all class sessions and library tours in China and complete a research paper after the Seminar ends. Non-credit option is also available. Participants will attend all class sessions and library tours without the requirement of the research paper.
Participants learn about different types of libraries and librarianship in China, the role of the traditional, academic, public, special and schools libraries in China. Students will have an opportunity to learn the U.S.-China Million Book Digital Library Project, which is instituted at Zhejiang University. Students will determine the topic of their papers in consultation with the academic advisor.
Cost & Registration
The program fees are $2,350.00 which covers a three-credit graduate course, room, meals on 8 library tours, traveling within China, and all necessary fess for various library tours and cultural activities. Cost of daily meals varies by personal choices. The cost is quite reasonable. One can manage his/her daily meals with $10 to $20 a day. Students will need to arrange their own round trip international plans to China and arrive at May 24 in Shanghai Pudong Airport. The deadline for application is March 15th with a deposit of $150. The full payment will be due on May 1st.
You are encouraged to take a Chinese language/culture Course before you leave.Check the Confucius Institute web site at: www.uri.edu/confucius
Scholarships
The Confucius Institute Scholarship Forms for the Summer of 2009 are available at the site:http://www.uri.edu/artsci/lsc/Faculty/yanma/590/ConfuciusScholarship.doc
or at the site http://www.uri.edu/artsci/lsc/Faculty/yanma/590/ConfuciusTravelScholarship.doc
There are other scholarships available to travel to China, such as the Boren Scholarships and Fellowships: www.borenawards.org. Students were awarded scholarships by the Freedman Foundation in the past two years for traveling to China to study.
Class Resources
A PowerPoint Presentation of the class in the summer of 2007: http://www.uri.edu/artsci/lsc/Faculty/yanma/590/ChineseInfoServices.pps
When you are registered for the course, you will be able to log into URI WebCT to access course syllabus and other course resources. WebCT at URI: http://www.uri.edu/webct/
For admission and registration information, contact:
Ms. Katiuska Perez
Coordinator of URI Summer Programs Abroad
Office of International Students and Scholars
37 Lower College Road, Kingston, RI 02881
Tel: (401) 874-2019
Fax:(401) 874-2402
E-mail: spoie@etal.uri.edu
Or visit, the URI Summer Study Abroad Programs page for registration information.
If students would like to travel after the two-week study, tours in China can be arranged with a separate cost with the travel agency.
