Chiang Mai Courses – 2024 Spring

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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

Students may enroll in 12 to 18 credits per semester comprised of Thai language plus electives in Asian studies, health and wellness, and social enterprise. All students must complete a minimum of one Thai language course. Chinese language is also offered at the intermediate and advanced levels. Chinese language is taught sequentially in an intensive language track.

USAC will continue to offer a Chinese Studies option in Chiang Mai as long as restrictions on travel to China remain in place. The Chinese language, culture and history courses listed below will be offered only if we are unable to hold our regularly scheduled programs in China this fall. If you apply to Chiang Mai for Chinese studies, you will be given the option to transfer your application to one of our programs in China, if travel is able to resume.

Course availability is contingent upon student enrollment and is subject to change.

Click the course title to view course details, description, and availability.

Spring Semester

Language Courses

• Introduction to Thai Language I

  Spring

  Thai 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.

  Required if not taking 3-credit Thai Language

• Reading and Writing Thai Language I

  Spring

  Thai World Languages and Literatures 100-level 3 credits Taught in English

  This is a course for students who are interested in learning Thai orthography, how Thai words are formed and rules for intonations. The purpose of the course is to provide the students (even though they have not taken any Thai language courses before) with basic Thai writing system resources to help them read as well as communicate in daily situations while studying in Thailand.

  Co-requisite: Thai Lanugage for Daily Communication I

• Thai Language for Daily Communication I

  Spring

  Thai 100-level 3 credits Taught in Thai

  This is a course for students who have not taken any Thai language courses before. Its purpose is to provide the students with basic lexical, grammatical, and functional resources to manage in daily situations while studying in Thailand.

• Thai Language for Daily Communication II

  Spring

  Thai 100-level 3 credits Taught in Thai Cancelled

  Its purpose is to provide the students with basic lexical, grammatical and functional resources to manage in daily situations while studying in Thailand.

  Prerequisite: Thai Language or Daily Communication I or equivalent

• Intermediate Chinese I

  Spring

  Chinese 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-level Chinese, or equivalent

• Intermediate Chinese II

  Spring

  Chinese 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-level Chinese, or equivalent

• Advanced Chinese I

  Spring

  Chinese 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-level Chinese, or equivalent

• Advanced Chinese II

  Spring

  Chinese 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: five semesters of college-level Chinese, or equivalent

• Advanced Chinese III

  Spring

  Chinese World Languages and Literatures 400-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: six semesters of college-level Chinese, or equivalent

• Advanced Chinese IV

  Spring

  Chinese World Languages and Literatures 400-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: seven semesters of college-level Chinese, or equivalent

Health and Wellness

• Environmental and Occupational Health

  Spring

  Community Health Sciences 300-level 3 credits Taught in English Cancelled

  This course introduces the field of Environmental and Occupational Health (EOH), the impact of environmental and occupational hazards on individuals and communities, both domestic and global. The approaches address EOH issues at the community level and the domestic and international challenges that ensure success in dealing with EOH issues. The focus of this course will be on the interaction between humans and the environment and how this interaction affects human health.

• Health Economics

  Spring

  Economics 400-level 3 credits Taught in English Cancelled

  This course will focus on concepts in health economics, including the characteristics of health care, health determinants, externalities and health care services as well as the demand for and supply of health care, health care market and market interventions, health risks and prevention, health assurance, the economic evaluation of health programs, such as efficiency, cost and equity of health care services, resource allocation in the health sector, the health care delivery system, and the analysis of health problems in Thailand.

• Mindfulness and Mindfulness-Based Intervention

  Spring

  Psychology 300-level 3 credits Taught in English

  Mindfulness meditation and other similar contemplative practices have garnered significant attention from both scholars and practitioners in the past 15 years, especially as it relates to using mindfulness to treat a myriad of psychosocial concerns. This course will introduce students to the concept of mindfulness meditation, specifically as it relates to health, psychology, and other applications through both didactic and experiential learning. Students will study the varied applications of mindfulness-based interventions with special attention given to psychopathology. Students will also be asked to cultivate their own practice of daily meditation/contemplative exercises while also being led by the instructor on various contemplative exercises.

  This course has an additional fee

Thai Culture and Asian Studies

• Buddhism in Thailand

  Spring

  Philosophy 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

• Buddhist Art in Thailand

  Spring

  Art Religious Studies 300-level 3 credits Taught in English

  This course presents the Buddha's life story and teachings as shown in paintings, sculptures, and other artworks. It explores subjects and themes that frequently appear in Buddhist art and examines the stories and legends of the Buddha and their depiction in Buddhist artworks in different eras and locations. Students will develop a robust theoretical foundation to effectively analyze paintings, sculptures, and architecture of Buddhist monasteries in northern Thailand. The course will provide both a religious setting and cultural context for several major Buddhist art types.

  This course has an additional fee

• Highland Ethnic Peoples and Social Transformation of Northern Thailand

  Spring

  Anthropology Sociology 400-level 3 credits Taught in English

  This course explores the historical background of the highland ethnic groups in Northern Thailand and their social transformation. Students will analyze the impact of state government policies on the development of ethnic communities, and the evolution of these communities throughout history.

  Prerequisite: one semester of college-level anthropology or sociology

• Hill Tribe Field Study

  Spring

  Anthropology 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

• Modern Chinese Culture and Society

  Spring

  Chinese 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

• Modern Chinese History

  Spring

  History 400-level 3 credits Taught in English Cancelled

  This course will cover topics related to Chinese history, from the beginning of the Qing dynasty to the present. We will examine the evolution and development of different ethnic groups and the tradition, culture, philosophical thoughts, political organizations, social structures, economic situations, religious practice, and foreign relations in China.

  Prerequisites: one semester of college-level history

• Muay Thai

  Spring

  Recreation / Physical Education 100-level 1 credit Taught in English

  This course will provide students with an introduction to Muay Thai (the sport of traditional Thai boxing) and its self-defense applications. Students will learn the following movement fundamentals:

  • Basic movement

  • Basic skills of Punch/ Elbow/ Knee/ Kick/ Push Kick

  • Boxing Parent timber of Mae Mai Muay Thai/ Luk Mai Muay Thai

  • The tradition of Muay Thai form of homage Wai Kru/ Dress

• Peace and Conflict Studies

  Spring

  Political Science 400-level 3 credits Taught in English

  This course introduces students to the major themes in the study of peace and conflict. It recognizes the closely interlinked nature of these complex political concepts, and explores the varied modes through which actors have sought to define and explain them. Just as war and other forms of violence and conflict are a constant of human history, so too are ideas and practices that seek the conditions of peaceful (co)existence. We will explore how peace is more than just the absence of war and manifests in different forms in different contexts: just as conflict in global politics is a multi-faceted phenomenon that can (and must) be analysed from a range of perspectives. The first part of the course introduces students to major theoretical paradigms. The second half engages with key thematics integral to the contemporary study of peace and conflict, with a particular focus on the Southeast Asian region.

  Prerequisite: introductory coursework in college-level political science or international relations

• Social Movements in Southeast Asia

  Spring

  Anthropology Sociology 300-level 3 credits Taught in English

  This course will examine the history of social movements in colonial and post-colonial Southeast Asia utilizing the theories and concepts of social movements. Students will engage in a comparative study of a variety of social movements in Southeast Asia, including nationalist movements, labor movements, student movements, and peasant and farmer movements, to analyze the relationship between social movements and changes in Southeast Asian societies.

• Thai Society and Culture

  Spring

  Anthropology 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.

Sustainability and Social Enterprise

• Social Entrepreneurship

  Spring

  General Business 400-level 3 credits Taught in English

  In this course, students will develop the theoretical foundation necessary to analyze social issues, sustainable development, community development, and Thailand’s economic philosophy. Students will also create a business plan to demonstrate their ability to effectively evaluate financial returns and social impacts, including the issues facing marginalized and disadvantaged communities in Thailand. This course utilizes the social business model canvas, and students will develop advanced competency in identifying screen solutions, developing value propositions, creating financial and impact goals, and evaluating external risks.

  Prerequisite: one semester of college-level business management or entrepreneurship

• Sustainable Agriculture Development

  Spring

  Environmental Science Geography 300-level 3 credits Taught in English

  Students will learn about concepts related to sustainable agriculture development in Thailand while integrating economic, social, and environmental topics. In addition, agriculture systems concerning plant and animal diversity with sustainable production, integrated farming, and climate change will be analyzed in this course. Sustainable agricultural development in the upland and rural area will also be covered. In this course, students will broaden their perspective on efficiency economics, pollution problems, and proposed solutions for better life and sustainability.

• World Economic Issues

  Spring

  Economics 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.

  Prerequisite: Introductory college-level microeconomics and macroeconomics

To request a course syllabus: syllabus@usac.edu

Chinese Language Tracks

Students may enroll in two or three courses within each 9-credit language track and select their remaining electives from our regular offerings in Chiang Mai, including courses on Chinese history, culture and society.

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.

Internships

For eligibility requirements and application information, see the USAC internship page.

For more information about placement options, see the Chiang Mai internship page.

Additional Offerings

Workshops

• Thai Cuisine

  Spring

  Description not available at this time.