J-Term (Columbia College) in Shanghai

This educational course was hosted by Arthub in co-operation with Columbia College, Chicago.
Time: 7-18 January, 2010

This course introduces modern Chinese history through Shanghai’s important role as a sea port in the 19th century, as a city occupied by Western and Japanese forces in the 20th century, as the seat of the first Chinese Communist party and as a contemporary art and business center. We will begin our discussion in Chicago during the first week of J-Term and then depart for Shanghai. We will visit temples, tea-houses, Art Deco buildings and modern skyscrapers; talk to gallery curators, visit Modern Art Museums and schools, as well as enjoy performances by cutting-edge musicians and dancers.

Learning Objectives

The students will receive rich and in depth first hand experience of modern Chinese history, culture and art and have a full immersion into Chinese life, language and traditions. The students will also learn about modern and contemporary arts and media. The students will acquire important critical skills by pairing written works on Chinese contemporary art with the exposure to works by contemporary artists, galleries where they are shown, and scholars who write about those works. By producing an academic written account of these interactions, they will learn to move easily from one to the other. Also, by producing a different, unique account of their experience through photography, video, painting or any other creative medium, the students will be able to elaborate as well as show the impact this trip has had on their artistic process.