Chiang Mai Courses – 2023 Summer Session I
Studying abroad can be a more meaningful and invigorating learning experience than at home—both inside and outside of the classroom. You may be more curious and alert than you usually are so use this heightened energy to enhance your studies as well as your cultural and geographical explorations. You may also encounter different teaching styles and course processes; be prepared to adapt and to learn.
Academics
You may take three to seven credits per session. At least one 3-credit course is required each session you are enrolled. Course availability is contingent upon student enrollment and is subject to change.
Click the course title to view course details, description, and availability.
Session I
Language Courses
- Summer Session IChinese 100-level 1 credit Taught in English/Chinese
This introductory course in Modern Standard Chinese (Mandarin) language is for beginners of Chinese study. It aims to develop the student’s functional language ability—using Mandarin Chinese in linguistically and socially appropriate ways. Students will learn various skills, including listening, speaking, reading, and writing, where speaking takes the lead. Students will engage in classroom activities both teacher-guided and student-centered, such as questions and answers, roll playing, pattern skills, dialogues, and oral presentations, to provide the opportunity to practice speaking and listening.
- Summer Session IThai 100-level 1 credit Taught in ThaiSummer Session IIThai 100-level 1 credit Taught in Thai
This is a course for students who have not taken any Thai language courses before. Its purpose is to provide students with basic lexical, grammatical, and functional resources to manage in daily situations while studying in Thailand.
- Summer Session IChinese World Languages and Literatures 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 Chinese.
- Summer Session IChinese World Languages and Literatures 300-level 3 credits Taught in Chinese
This course is for the third-year students of modern Chinese language and the equivalent (i.e. those who have completed studying of basic Chinese language at elementary and intermediate level).
Prerequisite: four semesters of college Chinese
Business, Health and Wellness, and Asian Studies
- Summer Session IPhilosophy Religious Studies 400-level 3 credits Taught in English
This course covers the history and fundamental teachings of the Buddha. Students will develop the theoretical foundation necessary to effectively analyze topics in Buddhist teachings and how Buddhism continues to influence Thai culture and society.
Prerequisite: introductory coursework in college-level religious studies or sociology
- Summer Session IEconomics 400-level 3 credits Taught in EnglishDescription not available at this time.
- Summer Session IGeography Political Science 400-level 3 credits Taught in English
This course aims to facilitate students with fundamental knowledge about the background and developments of governance and politics in Asia. As Asia encompasses more than 60% of the world's population and is home to the most significant regional economic growth, students must gain the tools needed to interpret the phenomena of political movements occurring in the continent. Political geographies of Asia will be discussed and analyzed.
The course will focus on the current most essential actors and their policies and actions that impact the region and the world.
• China – From a secluded empire to the front row of world politics: new dominance in the region and its crucial role in Asia and the World.
• Indian subcontinent – A history of conflicts, nuclear concerns, and threats, new political and economic views of current leaderships, as well as the role of India as an emerging power in the region and the world
• Southeast Asia/ASEAN – A bloc of nations built around a desire for security in the region. It will become the 4/5 largest economy globally by achieving its challenging goals.
• East Asia – Japan and South Korea have a history of antagonism and the need to find a typical road ahead bearing common perils. The role of the USA in backing both countries and their importance in East Asia security and stability.
• Thailand—formerly known as the fifth tiger of Asia. Thailand is considered a nation with turbulent transitions. Thailand has been moving back and forth from authoritarianism to democracy and from democracy to a series of coup d’état.
Students will explore the foreign influence and involvement in the Asian politics of Australia, the European Union, the Russian Federation, and the USA. Then, the course will dive into North Korea and its nuclear threat to security and stability in the region. The One-China Policy and the impact on Taiwan and the South China Sea, Daesh, and other threats in the Middle East, the history of tensions in the Indian subcontinent will also be the object of brief attention, as well as the increasing importance of recent developments in Central Asia and the Caucasus.
- Summer Session IAnthropology 200-level 1 credit Taught in EnglishSummer Session IIAnthropology 200-level 1 credit Taught in English
This course explores the diversity of culture and livelihood of Hill Tribe peoples through educational trips to rural villages. These first-hand experiences are designed to complement the lecture course, which provides students with the historical background and current social issues in Northern Thailand, particularly the various highland ethnic groups. Students will analyze the impact of state government policies on the development of ethnic communities, and the evolution of these communities throughout history.
This course has an additional fee
- Summer Session IGeneral Business Management 400-level 3 credits Taught in English
This course exposes students to the interpersonal aspects of working internationally. As the world becomes more globalized, it becomes increasingly important for students to recognize and develop skills that will help them to succeed when working with diverse colleagues and internationally. Topics include cultural values, individual differences, communication, teamwork, and leadership in an international context. Students will learn concepts in an experiential learning environment which includes video, case studies, self-assessments, role playing, and in-class exercises. A portion of the class will be focused on self-development; students will begin to understand their current global mindsets and how they can develop them.
- Summer Session IChinese 200-level 3 credits Taught in EnglishSummer Session IIChinese 200-level 3 credits Taught in English
Students will evaluate Chinese culture and society by means of a descriptive and analytic survey of chosen topics. While focusing on the cultural and social mainstream of contemporary China, the course also presents and analyzes various historic events, legends, traditions, ancient philosophies, religions and social norms in a sociological and economic perspective so as to enable students to have a better understanding of the evolution of and interactions between the Chinese culture and society.
Field trips to museums and theatre of Sichuan opera are part of the course.
Major topics include but are not limited to the following:
• Social Norms as Reflected in the Chinese Characters
• Taoism, Buddhism, Confucianism and Their Influence on the Chinese Culture and Society
• Chinese Ethnic Minorities
• Education in China
• Sex, Marriage and Family Life in China, Today and the Past
• Family Plan and Birth Control
• Cultural Revolution
• China’s Economic Reform and Opening Up Policies
• Holidays and Traditional Festivals: Their Folkloric Origin and Modern Impacts
- Summer Session IAnthropology 200-level 3 credits Taught in EnglishSummer Session IIAnthropology 200-level 3 credits Taught in English
The course aims to equip students with a preliminary knowledge of Thai society and culture from a critical perspective. It focuses on the historical development of Thailand, particularly the construction of Thainess/Thai nationalism and its effects on Thai self-perception and foreigners’ perception of Thailand.
- Summer Session IAnthropology Community Health Sciences 400-level 3 credits Taught in English
This course examines the following: systems of traditional healthcare in Asia; healing modalities widely used in Eastern medicine, use of evidence-based criteria to evaluate the risks and benefits of traditional healthcare, cultural perspectives of herbal medicine, and the botanical/chemical basis of ethnomedicines. Students will develop the foundational skills to utilize Asian healing modalities and herbal medicine. Students will also apply their critical thinking skills to produce a research project related to traditional medicine.
This course has an additional fee
Prerequisite: one semester of college community health sciences
Session II
Language Courses
- Summer Session IThai 100-level 1 credit Taught in ThaiSummer Session IIThai 100-level 1 credit Taught in Thai
This is a course for students who have not taken any Thai language courses before. Its purpose is to provide students with basic lexical, grammatical, and functional resources to manage in daily situations while studying in Thailand.
- Summer Session IIChinese World Languages and Literatures 200-level 3 credits Taught in Chinese
This course is a continuation of Intermediate Chinese I and 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: three semesters of college Chinese
- Summer Session IIChinese World Languages and Literatures 300-level 3 credits Taught in Chinese
The objectives of the advanced Chinese language classes are to increase your knowledge of the language and to improve your ability to express yourself. This will be presented through practical material and permits you to have a better understanding of the use of the language. Conversation, reading, and writing focus on culture and modern literature.
Prerequisite: five semesters of college Chinese.
Business, Health and Wellness, and Asian Studies
- Summer Session IIPsychology Religious Studies 400-level 3 credits Taught in English
Mindfulness has become a common word in the Western World, and its practice has become increasingly popular in Western psychology, medicine and psychotherapy, there is a growing interest among professionals and the public in traditional Buddhist systems of neurology, psychology and the healing of the physical and psychological.
This course is designed to put the science and practice of Buddhist Psychology into a Western context for a better understanding of Buddhist psychology, with the intention of a genuine "being in the moment" experience and an understanding of how mind, body and consciousness can embody wisdom, awareness, and loving-kindness which can create a happier, healthier life free from physical, mental and psychological suffering.
- Summer Session IIPolitical Science 400-level 3 credits Taught in English
This course is designed to provide students an understanding of the Association of the South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), its achievements and challenges, as well as its Member States profiles. We will elaborate on the role of the Association in building a dialogue and security platform for the Asia-Pacific region.
Over this course we will address the multitude and diversity of cultures and political systems in ASEAN, the achievements of the association since its inauguration in 1967, the challenges ahead and its importance for the region and the world.
- Summer Session IAnthropology 200-level 1 credit Taught in EnglishSummer Session IIAnthropology 200-level 1 credit Taught in English
This course explores the diversity of culture and livelihood of Hill Tribe peoples through educational trips to rural villages. These first-hand experiences are designed to complement the lecture course, which provides students with the historical background and current social issues in Northern Thailand, particularly the various highland ethnic groups. Students will analyze the impact of state government policies on the development of ethnic communities, and the evolution of these communities throughout history.
This course has an additional fee
- Summer Session IIInternational Business Management 300-level 3 credits Taught in English
The environment that corporations operate in has seen dramatic changes in recent years. International management is now a major challenge facing organizations in this current new century. To succeed in this environment, students must now be knowledgeable about the international dimensions of management. This course enables students to expand their knowledge of management and international business in a range of organizations by engaging in practical business tasks, such as preparing business plans, undertaking negotiations and giving presentations. This course has two primary objectives. The first objective is to provide students with an understanding of the international business environment. The second objective is to provide a context in which students can continue to develop their general business skills, such as analysis, strategic decision-making, presentation skills and writing skills.
- Summer Session IChinese 200-level 3 credits Taught in EnglishSummer Session IIChinese 200-level 3 credits Taught in English
Students will evaluate Chinese culture and society by means of a descriptive and analytic survey of chosen topics. While focusing on the cultural and social mainstream of contemporary China, the course also presents and analyzes various historic events, legends, traditions, ancient philosophies, religions and social norms in a sociological and economic perspective so as to enable students to have a better understanding of the evolution of and interactions between the Chinese culture and society.
Field trips to museums and theatre of Sichuan opera are part of the course.
Major topics include but are not limited to the following:
• Social Norms as Reflected in the Chinese Characters
• Taoism, Buddhism, Confucianism and Their Influence on the Chinese Culture and Society
• Chinese Ethnic Minorities
• Education in China
• Sex, Marriage and Family Life in China, Today and the Past
• Family Plan and Birth Control
• Cultural Revolution
• China’s Economic Reform and Opening Up Policies
• Holidays and Traditional Festivals: Their Folkloric Origin and Modern Impacts
- Summer Session IAnthropology 200-level 3 credits Taught in EnglishSummer Session IIAnthropology 200-level 3 credits Taught in English
The course aims to equip students with a preliminary knowledge of Thai society and culture from a critical perspective. It focuses on the historical development of Thailand, particularly the construction of Thainess/Thai nationalism and its effects on Thai self-perception and foreigners’ perception of Thailand.
- Summer Session IIEconomics General Business 400-level 3 credits Taught in English
In this class, students will learn the application of macro-economic models to analyze the development of the Thai economy and its international trade relations. Students will develop the skills to interpret nominal and real terms and understand why Economists have always referred to them throughout history. Students will also learn how to explain various aspects of the Thai government’s fiscal policy, analyze how the central bank’s monetary policy affects the economy, and evaluate topics related to international trade such as, currency, exchange rate system, net capital flow and balance of payment.
Prerequisites: Introductory-level college microeconomics and macroeconomics
To request a course syllabus: syllabus@usac.edu
Field Studies
Optional field studies are an excellent way to deepen your academic experience abroad. During your 1-credit field study course, you will participate in carefully planned excursions that allow you to explore the cultural, historical, and natural features of Thailand. These overnight field experiences, combined with required academic components such as readings, research, and written assignments, will increase your understanding of the sites and locales visited.
As an experiential learning method, optional field studies complement the larger academic program and provide you with opportunities to learn in new ways, to gain hands-on experience, and to connect your classroom learning to the world around you.
Optional field studies have an additional fee, are subject to meeting minimum enrollment requirements to run, and may not be available every summer session. Refer to the course list above for current field study offerings.
Quick Details
2023-24 Application Cycle
- Summer: Open
- Session I or I&II deadline: April 1
- Session II deadline: May 1
- Fall/Yearlong: Open
- Deadline: May 15
- Spring: Open
- Deadline: Oct 15
Eligibility
Preferred Minimum GPA: 2.5
Program Type
Credits
US Credit
Program Capacity
Summer: 50 students
Semester: 60 students
Instruction
English