Shanghai Courses – 2026 Summer Sessions I & II
Academics
Shanghai is a global financial hub, offering firsthand insight into international business and China’s growing economy. The city also provides excellent opportunities to gain Chinese language skills through both formal coursework and daily immersion in a diverse urban environment. Together, these experiences allow you to connect theoretical learning with practical insights into contemporary China’s role in international business.
You may enroll in three to seven credits in Session I and/or Session II. At least one 3-credit course is required each session you are enrolled. No prior knowledge of Chinese is needed to apply, but you are required to take one Chinese language course while you are in Shanghai.
Courses Offered:
Course availability is contingent upon scheduling constraints, meeting enrollment minimums, and is subject to change. View course details and descriptions.
Courses marked with an asterisk* are taught in Chinese
Summer Session I
Chinese Language and Culture Courses
- Introduction to Chinese Language I
- Elementary Chinese I*
- Intermediate Chinese I*
- Advanced Chinese I*
- Chinese Calligraphy
Non-Credit Workshop
- Chinese Cuisine
Business Courses
- AI and Chinese Business
- Chinese Business Issues and Practices
- Chinese E-Commerce
- Digital Marketing
- International Marketing
Summer Session II
Chinese Language and Culture Courses
- Introduction to Chinese Language I
- Elementary Chinese II*
- Intermediate Chinese II*
- Advanced Chinese II*
- Tai Chi
Business Courses
- China Phenomenon: Society, Politics, and Business
- Entrepreneurship in a Global Market
- Product Development and Brand Management
- The Chinese Consumer
U.S. Visiting Professors
While most USAC courses are taught by local faculty, the following U.S. professors will also teach in this program:
Summer Session I, 2026
Course: Digital Marketing
Laura Kelly, Ph.D., University of Mount Union
Professor Kelly has over 17 years of experience in both Marketing and Communications. She has received her MBA from Carnegie Mellon University and is continuing with her PhD from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She served as a 2024-2025 AI Fellow and is the co-author of the article, Argumentation and Advocacy (Taylor & Francis, Feb. 2025). Professor Kelly is an avid traveler as having travelled throughout France, Italy, and Ireland. One of her goals as an instructor is to provide students with as many experiences as possible to prepare for the global marketplace.
Summer Session II, 2026
Course: Product Development and Brand Management
Sanjay Sisodiya, Ph.D., University of Idaho
Associate Professor Sisodiya teaches Marketing and other business courses at the University of Idaho. He has earned his PhD in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing from Washington State University. Professor Sisodiya has been awarded the University of Idaho Advising Excellence Award and multiple Excellence in Teaching and Advising Awards in the College of Business. He is passionate about providing practical perspectives to students.
USAC Course Descriptions
Click the course title to view course details, description and availability. To request a course syllabus: syllabus@usac.edu
- Summer Session IChinese 300-level 3 credits Taught in Chinese
This course focuses on developing proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing Mandarin Chinese through the intensive study of vocabulary, phrases and constructions, and reading and writing exercises that emphasize the practical use of the Chinese language as well as Chinese culture and society. This course also prepares students for the Chinese HSK Proficiency Test level 4.
Prerequisite: four semesters of college-level Chinese, or equivalent
- Summer Session IIChinese 300-level 3 credits Taught in Chinese
This course focuses on developing proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing Mandarin Chinese through the intensive study of vocabulary, phrases and constructions, and reading and writing exercises that emphasize the practical use of the Chinese language as well as Chinese culture and society. This course also prepares students for the Chinese HSK Proficiency Test level 4.
Prerequisite: five semesters of college-level Chinese, or equivalent
- Summer Session IGeneral Business 300-level 3 credits Taught in English
We’re excited to introduce this new course option as course details are being finalized. Please check back after 1/15 for full course details.
- Summer Session IInternational Business Management 300-level 3 credits Taught in English
This course provides a comprehensive overview of Chinese business issues and practices, addressing key topical issues of modern Chinese business and considers how these issues are developing in the various stages and different industries in China.
- Summer Session IIGeneral Business Political Science Sociology 400-level 3 credits Taught in English
This course explores the various elements of China’s rapid rise over the past decades, often depicted as the “China Miracle” or “China Phenomenon.” Highlighting the most salient issues and problems faced by China in the political, economic, social and international arenas, this course examines how local governments exercise power to drive industrialization and urbanization, analyzes national governance reforms (e.g., credible commitment mechanisms, performance-based official evaluations), and explores the financial and political incentives behind China's economic policies - from flexible tenure systems to unique business cycles. Through case studies on fiscal systems, regional imbalances, and institutional innovation, students will understand how China's governance structure shapes its economic development trajectory and global influence.
- Summer Session IArt 100-level 1 credit Taught in English
We’re excited to introduce this new course option as course details are being finalized. Please check back after 1/15 for full course details.
This course has an additional fee
- Summer Session I
The Chinese Cuisine workshop offers an immersive experience for students passionate about cooking, providing them the chance to learn about and prepare traditional Chinese dishes from Shanghai, Sichuan, Cantonese and Huaiyang Cuisine.
The workshop menu is seasonal and updated based on the availability of fresh market products, ensuring a unique and varied menu with each session.
This workshop has an additional fee.
This workshop requires a minimum enrollment of five students to run.
- Summer Session IGeneral Business 400-level 3 credits Taught in English
We’re excited to introduce this new course option as course details are being finalized. Please check back after 1/15 for full course details.
- Summer Session IMarketing 400-level 3 credits Taught in English
In this course, students will learn the core pillars of digital marketing — content, SEO, email, analytics — and will build hands-on strategy using real AI tools, model campaigns with data analytics, and participate in a simulated marketing environment. We will explore European and global best practices, analyze live case studies, and design adaptive strategies that can survive both Gen AI and widespread market volatility. This course prepares students for digital marketing jobs and focuses on preparing them to avoid the jobs AI will eliminate and succeed in the ones AI will augment.
- Summer Session IChinese World Languages and Literatures 100-level 4 credits Taught in Chinese
In this class, you will develop the four basic language skills (listening, speaking, reading and writing) in modern Chinese. In class, you will practice speaking and listening skills in Mandarin Chinese (known as “Putonghua” - lit. “common speech” - in the Mainland China, and “Guoyu” - lit. “national language” - elsewhere) through instructional activities and assessment activities, and role plays, etc.
However, this class is not a conversational class. Reading and writing skills are essential and indispensable components of Chinese literacy. Students are expected to write and recognize Chinese characters covered in the text material.
This course will also introduce Chinese culture and traditions through the language learning.
- Summer Session IIChinese World Languages and Literatures 100-level 4 credits Taught in Chinese
In this class, you will develop the four basic language skills (listening, speaking, reading and writing) in modern Chinese. In class, you will practice speaking and listening skills in Mandarin Chinese (known as “Putonghua” - lit. “common speech” - in the Mainland China, and “Guoyu” - lit. “national language” - elsewhere) through instructional activities and assessment activities, and role plays, etc.
However, this class is not a conversational class. Reading and writing skills are essential and indispensable components of Chinese literacy. Students are expected to write and recognize Chinese characters covered in the text material.
This course will also introduce Chinese culture and traditions through the language learning.
Prerequisite: one semester of college-level Chinese, or equivalent
- Summer Session IIEntrepreneurship General Business 400-level 3 credits Taught in English
This course is designed to teach students about entrepreneurship and give them actual hands on experience as to what it takes to transform an idea into a fundable business. The course will cover all of the elements an entrepreneur starting a new business must go through to be properly prepared to start, grow and run a successful business. Major elements will include developing soft skills in team building and leadership, developing a due diligence and presentation package, selecting and working with investors, the “Pitch” and what to expect after funding.
Prerequisites: One semester of introductory-level college business or entrepreneurship
- Summer Session IChinese 200-level 3 credits Taught in Chinese
This course is designed to further develop the students’ listening comprehension, speaking skills, reading and writing proficiency in Chinese. New grammar points will be introduced and selected grammar points are reviewed during class sessions. Various activities - discussions, oral presentations, conversions - will provide the opportunity to practice on speaking and listening, class participation is therefore essential.
Prerequisite: two semesters of college-level Chinese, or equivalent
- Summer Session IIChinese World Languages and Literatures 200-level 3 credits Taught in Chinese
Students will mainly focus on improving their Chinese pronunciation and tones, learning new grammar patterns and practicing the newly learned grammar and vocabulary. Organized in-class activities include daily dictation, quizzes, memorizing text and completing oral exercises such as retelling stories, making up dialogues, giving presentations, and performing skits. Students will study a variety of texts that reflect topics including culture, simple academic subjects, political issues, as well as controversial issues and events. Students will expand their vocabulary and enhance their grammar rapidly to handle these broad subjects.
Prerequisite: three semesters of college-level Chinese, or equivalent
- Summer Session IInternational Business Marketing 400-level 3 credits Taught in English
The course is designed to enable students to develop marketing strategies and plans in and across a range of international market environments. While extending students' strategic marketing skills in a global context, students will also develop knowledge and skills in international marketing processes by analyzing real world business case studies and developing creative strategies to enhance the growth of organizations.
- Summer Session IChinese 100-level 1 credit Taught in English and ChineseSummer Session IIChinese 100-level 1 credit Taught in English and Chinese
This is an introductory Chinese class. The main focuses of the class will be placed on recognizing the four tones in Putonghua (Mandarin Chinese), practicing pronunciation, learning vocabulary and expressions that are related to student daily life in a foreign country, and building fundamentals in Chinese grammar. An introduction on the origin and structure of Chinese characters (Han Zi, the writing script) will also be introduced.
- Summer Session IIGeneral Business Marketing 400-level 3 credits Taught in English
This course examines product development strategy and the management of brands. Topics will include strategic intent of product development, the process of product development (ideation through post-product launch evaluation), market and financial feasibility of product development, trends in product development, and managing brands (strategic brand management and managing brand equity).
- Summer Session II100-level 1 credit Taught in English
Tai Chi is a Chinese Kungfu that incorporates mental and physical exercise. Students will develop knowledge of the historical and cultural significance of Tai Chi in addition to the physical activity.
This course has an additional fee
- Summer Session IIMarketing 300-level 3 credits Taught in English
We’re excited to introduce this new course option as course details are being finalized. Please check back after 1/15 for full course details.