Academics

Fields of Study: Social Science

Take coursework taught in English that focuses on Chinese economic development and business, China’s rapidly expanding role in the world economy and international relations, and Chinese society and culture in the era of globalization. Shanghai and the Yangtze Delta economy provide an ideal locale for case studies of economic development in a changing cultural, political, and international environment.

Unique study opportunities

  • Enroll in courses taught by local and international faculty.
  • Develop a deeper understanding of topics related to your UC major.
  • Explore future career interests through an internship.
  • Volunteer to teach English or participate in other service learning opportunities.

Language

Language of Instruction: English, Chinese

Chinese taught classes are only available to those who are fluent in Chinese.

There is a limited amount of English courses offered.

Courses and credit

Requirements While Abroad

To successfully complete this program:

  • Take a full-time course of study: 
    • Fall - Four to five courses for a minimum of 18 quarter/12 semester UC units.
    • Spring - Five or six courses for a minimum of 24 quarter/16 semester UC units.
  • You may take up to one-third (33%) of your total unit load per term on a pass/no pass basis.
  • Attend class regularly. Absences exceeding 30 percent in any course result in an automatic fail.

Current Program Courses

Once abroad you will choose courses from limited selection of English courses in business, economics, political science or Chinese studies. Many courses focus on case studies using practices found in China. Classes may include research projects, group projects, guest speakers, and field trips exploring how business is conducted in this important economic center.

If you have advanced Chinese language skills, you may be able to take courses from the regular course offerings, but if your native language is not Chinese, it is strongly recommended that you consult with the professor of the course before finalizing your enrollment. Regular Fudan course offerings or courses taught in Chinese may end later (typically early to mid-January) than English-taught courses. If you enroll in these courses, you are expected to remain in country to complete all scheduled exams.

Catalogs and resources

  • Fudan University: Information for exchange students, including courses taught in English. There is a limited amount of courses taught in English. New course information for the fall program is usually available in early July; for the spring program it's usually available in December. This means that if you do not have a lot of flexibility in your course selection, you may have to withdraw from the program at a late date.
  • UCEAP Course Catalog: See a list of courses students have taken on this program. This is not a current representation of course offerings on this program. Reference the above links to review recent course offerings. 
  • Campus Credit Abroad: Learn the types of credit (major, minor, general education, elective) students from your campus received at this location.

Academic culture

Exams

Although practice varies, regular university courses usually have one midterm exam and one final exam or written report. Short, frequent quizzes are rare. Exams in the language curriculum may be made up by staff, not necessarily in close consultation with the instructor. Tests are standardized for each level and therefore may not always cover material exactly as it was presented in class.

Attendance

You must attend class regularly. Absences exceeding 30 percent in any course result in an automatic fail. If you must be absent for an emergency or personal reason, always seek the professor’s approval. Additional attendance and tardiness policies may be in effect; it is your responsibility to know the policies for each course.

In Chinese language classes, attendance is often taken during each class and absences result in a lower grade. If you miss more than 25 percent of a language class, you will not be permitted to take the final exam and will receive a failing grade for the course.

Relationship with Faculty

Relationships between students and teachers in China are quite different from those at UC. According to Confucian traditions, teachers in China are revered and respected by all and take great responsibility for the care of their students. Generally, Chinese instructors expect students to be deferential and appreciative; never confrontational, excessively argumentative, or demanding. If you have a difference of opinion with an instructor, express it at a time during class designated by the instructor or privately after class, but always with tact and respect.

Chinese teachers consider their students’ success or failure a measure of personal success or failure on their part, so students try to succeed for their teacher’s sake as well as their own.

Address an instructor as laoshi, which means teacher: “[Last Name] laoshi.” The use of first names is particularly unacceptable in Asia.

Host University vs. UC Courses

You may have to exert effort to adapt to the teaching style and requirements of your classes. Courses will not be the same as they are at UC. The most common difference is that students, even in language courses, have fewer opportunities for class participation. Although certain Fudan courses have been chosen especially for UCEAP students, approaches still vary by teacher. However, at UC’s host universities, where increasing numbers of faculty have spent periods of study or research abroad, instructors generally assume that American students will raise issues; in some cases the instructors even require class participation. Nevertheless, be sensitive to the cultural norms of the Chinese teaching style and do not confuse seemingly authoritarian or didactic characteristics of those norms with the individual attitudes of instructors.

The course materials are likely to be less structured and less clearly outlined than is usual in UC courses. Week-by-week syllabi with specific assignments are rare. You must exercise self discipline and initiative, and organize your time and activities to give priority to your academic work. Your experience in a course will depend on the interest, thought, and diligence you put into your studies.

Even if you have a high level of Chinese language ability, you can expect to have some difficulty understanding Chinese university instructors, some of whom have regional accents, speak rapidly, and use specialized terminology. Approaching this as a challenge rather than a frustration will enhance your success and enjoyment in China.

In some language courses, there is more focus on memorizing conversations and reading drills than there is on freestyle speaking, conversations, and on learning characters.

Grades

You will earn direct UC credit and grades for all coursework. 

Grades for the fall program are available from late February to mid-March depending on the Fudan University calendar and the timing of the Lunar New Year. Grades for the spring program are usually available in September. Requests for early grades cannot be accommodated. 

At most, 30% of students in a course can get a grade of an A at Fudan.