Explore Eastern China
Chinese Heritage Villages & Mountain Landscapes
Spring 2016 Term | April 16th to May 8th, 2016
APPLY BY DEC. 1st , 2015 UWaterloo‐Nanjing Field Course
Experience China between your winter & spring terms!
• Three week field course
• Open to undergraduate (GEOG 430A/B) and graduate (GEOG 692) students
• Visit some of the most beautiful natural and cultural landscapes in Eastern China (UNESCO World Heritage Sites)
• Interdisciplinary research on geography, geomatics, and tourism studies
• Collaboration with Nanjing University (NJU)
– Old and prestigious university in China (C9 League of elite universities), research strengths in human geography & tourism
Instructor & Course Dates
• Dr. Su‐Yin Tan
– Applied Geomatics Research Laboratory (AGRL)
– Department of Geography & Environmental Management
– E‐mail: su‐yin.tan@uwaterloo.ca
• Course Dates:
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Spring Term 2016
Pre‐trip meetings: March‐April 2016
Field component: April 16 to May 9, 2016
Research paper due: End of Spring term (July 22nd, 2016)
Calendar Course Descriptions
o GEOG‐430A/B: Field Research in Regional Geography  Field examination conducted abroad on a selected study area  Pre‐requisite: Level at least 3A Honour’s students with instructor permission (worth 0.5 + 1.0 = 1.5 credits total)
o GEOG‐692: International Study Seminar  Field research project managed abroad on one or more of the field case studies
 Pre‐requisite: Permission of instructor (0.5 credit)
Course Objectives 1. Understand: • Special topics related to geography, tourism, and geomatics relevant to managing natural and cultural cities and landscapes in Eastern China
• Appreciate how interdisciplinary research can be applied for managing and conserving areas of high cultural heritage
2. Apply: • Foster cultural exchange and work on collaborative research in an international setting
• Design, manage, and complete a research project on a selected topic related to course themes
Field Course Overview
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Where?
– Nanjing region, China  Field work component  Analysis research component – Collaboration with Nanjing University
 Pairing up with International students  Field seminars & presentations •
When?
– Spring term (April 16 to May 9, 2016)  Three weeks period •
TRAVEL FUNDING/BURSARY AVAILABLE!!
Expense?
– Approx. Cost: 
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$2,300 + airfare + course fees
Hotels & meal plan Scenic areas fees Local transportation Local assistant guide(s) Expenses
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Program Cost:
– Approx. $2,300 plus airfare
•
Travel Funding (due to NJU‐UW partnership):
– Nanjing University: $500 (accom. & transport costs)
– University of Waterloo: $500 (travel bursary)
– Total $1,000 travel bursary!!! – Lowers program cost to approx. $1,300 per person
•
Airfare:
– Market price: Approx. $1,500 to $1,800
– Two booking options:
• Book on your own
• Group travel reservation (group discount price, payment deadline)
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Other:
– Discretionary spending, travel visa ($145), travel insurance
Field Course Evaluation •
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Attendance / Participation
Project Abstract / Statement
Field Research Presentation
Field Trip Report or Photo Journal
Field Research Project Paper
20 %
10 %
20 %
10 %
40 %
• Field Research Project
– UW students will be partnered with NJU students
– Each pair will develop an independent project related to course themes and agreed upon with the instructor
– Some pre‐trip meetings will be required
– Project abstract/statement submitted prior to departure (selected project topic, tentative methodology, and data needs)
Field Research Project Possible project topics: o Geomatics theme:
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Geological & biological assessment and mapping Hiking trail and features mapping Tourism trail flow & capacity assessment Fire risk & accessibility assessment o Environmental theme:  Land use and natural resource management  Mass tourism effect on environmental conservation  Tourism & climate change o Socio‐cultural theme: 
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Environmental health & water quality issues
Environmental conservation practices
Culture commodification , reconstruction & authenticity issues
Therapeutic landscapes design & elements
o Economic‐cultural theme:  Tourism & economic developments  Tourism & employment  Hotel management & local economics
Field Course Map
Field Course Itinerary
Nanjing City: Day 1‐7 / 14‐16 / 20‐23
Suzhou City: Day 18‐20
Mt. Huangshan: Day 7‐12
Hongcun Ancient Village: Day 12‐14
Zhouzhuang Town: Day 16‐18
Tentative Travel Itinerary – Part 1 (Day 0 to 11)
Day
Date
Day 0
Sat, Apr‐16
Day 1 Sun, Apr‐17
Day 2
Mon, Apr‐18
Day 3
Tue, Apr‐19
Day 4
Wed, Apr‐20
Day 5
Thu, Apr‐21
Day 6
Fri, Apr‐22
Day 7
Sat, Apr‐23
Day 8
Sun, Apr‐24
Day 9
Mon, Apr‐25
Day 10
Tue, Apr‐26
Day 11
Wed, Apr‐27
Destination
Schedule
Departure from Toronto Pearson International Airport
Nanjing
Arrival day
Visit Nanjing University (NJU) campus; field course orientation and meet NJU students; project workshops
NJU seminars & workshops
Field trip to Zhongshan National Park: Dr. Sun Yat‐Sen’s Mausoleum scenic area, Xiaoling Tomb scenic area
Field trip to Zhonghua Gate – Laomendong – Confucian Temple –
Yuejianglou
Project work day and field work preparation (NJU)
Huangshan
Field trip to Huangshan Tangkou Town and Emerald Valley
Field trip to Huangshan Yungusi (Yungu cableway)– Shixinfeng‐ Shizifeng –
Cloud Dispelling Pavilion Field trip to Huangshan Cloud Dispelling Pavilion – Xihai Cannon –
Guangmingding Field trip to Huangshan Guangming Summit – Turtle Peak – Lotus Peak –
Jade Screen Pavilion – Flying Rock – Welcome Pine Tree – Southern Gate of Huangshan – return to Huangshan Tangkou Town Huangshan Tangkou Town – synthesis of results, organize data/resources, project discussions Tentative Travel Itinerary – Part 2 (Day 12 to 23)
Day
Date
Destination
Schedule
Day 12
Thu, Apr‐28
Hongcun
Village
Field trip to Hongcun Ancient Village Day 13
Fri, Apr‐29
Day 14
Sat, Apr‐30
Day 15
Sun, May‐1
Field course research work day (NJU)
Day 16
Mon, May‐2
Zhouzhuang Field trip to Watertown – Zhouzhuang Town (Suzhou)
Town
Day 17
Tue, May‐3
Day 18
Wed, May‐4
Day 19
Thu, May‐5
Day 20
Fri, May‐6
Day 21
Sat, May‐7
Field course research work day (NJU)
Day 22
Sun, May‐8
Field course research seminar – Final presentations (NJU)
Day 23
Mon, May‐9
Departure day
Field trip to Hongcun Ancient Village – discussions/workshops
Nanjing
Suzhou City
Travel back to Nanjing
Field trip to Watertown – Zhouzhuang Town (Suzhou) –
discussions/workshops
Field trip to Suzhou City – Chinese Classical Garden, Pingjiang Road
Field trip to Suzhou City – discussions/workshops
Nanjing
Travel back to Nanjing
Nanjing (Days 1 to 6)
Mt. Huangshan (Days 7 to 11)
Hongcun Ancient Village (Days 12 to 14)
Zhouzhuang Town (Days 16 to 17)
Suzhou City (Days 18 to 20)
Why take this course?
o Field work experience  Develop research and career‐relevant skills
 Consolidate classroom learning o Course credits & flexibility  1.5 undergraduate credits  Minimal interference with Winter 2016 exams or Spring 2016 co‐op placement o Overseas landscapes & cultures in Ancient China  Broaden research perspectives and life experience
o FUN!
Heritage Mountains & Valleys Heritage Towns & Villages
Food!
Estimated Costs
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Students will be required to cover the costs of airfare, accommodation, meals and internal transportation while in China
Since these costs are variable, it is not possible to confirm the actual cost until closer to the departure date:
o Airfare: ~$1,500 to $1,800
o Program Costs:
o Accommodations: (~$50/night twin share) ~$1,200
o Meals: (~$20/day) ~$460
o Transportation: ~$460
o Ticket Fees: ~$180
o Guide Costs: ~$5
o Instructor & TA costs: $0 (paid by Department)
Total Costs = ~$2,300 pp plus airfare
Travel Bursary = $1,000 (NJU + UW)
Adjusted Total Costs = ~$1,300
Visas
Canadian & Non‐Canadian Citizens: o
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Chinese Visa Application Service Center (www.visaforchina.org) ($145.20 fee)
Passport (valid for at least 6 months)
Photocopy of passport Visa application form and photograph
Supporting documents (air ticket, hotel reservation, invitation letters, etc.)
Insurance/Vaccinations?
Insurance:
o Travel insurance (ex. Travel Guard Insurance)
Up‐to‐date for routine vaccinations: o Hepatitis A, typhoid (most travelers)
o Hepatitis B, Japanese encephalitis, polio, rabies, yellow fever, malaria (some travellers) Now what do I do?
FIELD COURSE TIMELINE
2015
November: December:
2016
January:
February: March‐April:
April:
Information session
 Submit field course application
Student selection & notification
 Only 10‐15 students selected
$850 deposit payment
(for hotel & local transportation guarantee)
Book airfare (independently or group)
Pre‐trip meetings & project topic abstracts
Depart for China! 
How to Apply ?
• Submit name and details on the “sign‐up sheet”
• A webpage link with on‐line application form will be e‐mailed to you before Friday, Nov. 13th
– E‐mail Dr. Tan (su‐yin.tan@uwaterloo.ca) if you do not receive the link by Friday
• Form will require details about (start preparing these materials!):
1.
2.
3.
Statement of interest (motivation, career goals, etc.)
Biography (program of study, year/level, pre‐req’s, etc.)
E‐copy of academic transcript
Application Deadline: December 1st, 2015 !
Other Field Courses Opportunities o Geography: Hazards & Disasters, May 12th – June 2nd
(Java, Indonesia)
o ERS: Ecology, May 1st – 31st (Huntsville, Ontario)
o ERS: Food Studies, June 16th – 30th (Rome, Italy) o ERS: Parks, TBA (Rouge National Park, Ontario) o Renison College: Culture/Language (Nanjing, China)
Interested?
Submit your details on the sign‐up sheet!
Questions/contact:
Dr. Su‐Yin Tan
su‐yin.tan@uwaterloo.ca