In addition to the core courses, Business Concentration students earn three credits for the "International Business in China" course and three credits for the 120-hour Business Internship (in English) for a total of six credits for this concentration. Additionally, the business concentration students receive two credits of Chinese I. If the home campus allows 18 credit hours during CSP, Business Concentration students may ask permission to take Chinese I for 3 credits.
CSP Business Concentration Syllabus 2009-10
Chinese I (2-3 credits, required)
This course (worth 3 credits for students in the China Studies Concentration and for Business Concentration receiving permission to enroll in 18 credit hours) is typically worth 2 credits for those in the Business Concentration. Business students have a commensurately lighter load. Specifically, they are required to write far fewer Chinese characters, though they are expected to read, pronounce, and translate the English equivalents of all the characters that the China Concentration students learn.
This course focuses on acquiring survival fluency in spoken and written Mandarin Chinese, the national language of China. Classes with the Xiamen University teacher occur on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Chinese I classes with CSP teachers will be held as scheduled and include explanations on aspects of learning the language such as Pinyin (the spelling system used on mainland China) and tones along with activities such as memorizing an ancient Chinese poem in Mandarin and learning Chinese pop songs. Students who already have studied Chinese may apply for a more advanced class, in which they study with their own teacher with other advanced-language CSP students (if any). The course work will be adjusted based on the overall capability of the students involved. All students take the written exams for Chinese characters, vocabulary and grammar in the CSP Chinese I course.
International Business in China (3 credits)
In this course, students hear talks presented by Christians who have done business in China for years. The talks cover issues such as fair and ethical business practices and the factors involved in out-sourcing jobs to China. Students will also prepare a paper in which they describe and analyze the differences in the way that an American or international company markets its products or its franchise in China. Finally, these students prepare a group "end-of-semester" presentation for the rest of the CSP students highlighting what they have learned. Overall, the goal is for students to understand the personal costs involved in approaching business overseas not simply as an investment, but as a calling.
Business Internship (3 credits)
The Internship Coordinator will make every attempt to place students in job placements that will provide meaningful work experience. After all the CSP students complete the History study tour around China--about two-thirds the way through the semester--the Business Concentration students engage in their three-week internships, working full-time(40+ hrs/week) for either Western or Chinese companies. Currently, nearly all of these internship placements are in Xiamen city.
