May 20th - June 19th  (subject to change)

On the Silk Road is a unique, interdisciplinary program designed to introduce students to some of the peoples, cultures and history of China. Uniquely, this program explores the historic and contemporary interactions and exchanges between China and "the West", between Han and non-Han along the western periphery that make modern China a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic state.

The Silk Road is both a metaphor for the historic exchanges of religions, arts, material goods, ideas and peoples of China, India, Persia, Mongolia and the rest of the "West", as well as the actual locations where such exchanges took place. Students will explore both.

This program is designed for students to learn about, learn from, and learn by doing as they study and travel along the Silk Road. Through assigned readings, class lectures and discussions, visits to cultural and historic sites, interactions with Chinese students, artisans and families, explorations of cities and villages, experiential learning activities, and independent explorations, students will gain an understanding of China, their own culture, and themselves. Students are required to: complete all mandatory University forms and orientation assignments; attend and actively participate in daily class, de-briefing and/or reflection meetings; complete all assignments; write daily reflection journals; develop an individual interest project which will culminate in a short formal paper and presentation.

The program consists of two courses: Credit hours & general education requirements

      EAS290 - Introduction to China’s Silk Road will focus on the geography, history, ethnicity, economics and social institutions relevant to Silk Road studies of China today and in the past with particular attention to the western provinces of Shaanxi and Gansu and, and the Xinjiang  Uigher Autonomous Region.  This 2-credit course will meet Wittenberg general education requirements for C or S.

    EAS290 -Arts, Religions and Cultural Exchanges Along the Silk Road will focus on the rich artistic materials in literature, architecture, sculpture, painting, music and dance, and the diverse religious traditions of Nestorian Christianity, Manicheaism, Buddhism and Islam brought into and developed in China by merchants, missionaries, captives and armies from the 1^st century AD.  This 4-credit course will meet Wittenberg general education requirements for A, C or L.

 Open to all majors and minors; no Chinese language required  

Number of participants: 12 to 20 students

Projected cost is $5,400 program fee plus international airfare to/from China, passport and visa, and for non-Wittenberg students a tuition fee of $540, subject to number of participants, and inflation and/or currency exchange fluctuations.  The program fee is inclusive of all expenses in China (excet personal) and travel insurance.

LIMITED SCHOLARSHIPS FOR WITTENBERG STUDENTS ARE AVAILABLE:  A grant from the East Asian Institute will provide a partial scholarship for those Wittenberg students who complete a special application. These scholarships will be based on financial need and will not cover the entire cost of the trip; the range will be 5-20% of the cost based on financial need.  See application page for scholarship application form. 

Contact program directors for more information:

      Dr. Marcia Frost, Associate Professor of Economics & East Asian Studies
e-mail: mfrost@wittenberg.edu; office : Synod 112A ; 937-327-7935

      Dr. Jennifer Oldstone-Moore, Associate Professor of Religion & East Asian Studies

e-mail: joldstonemoore@wittenberg.edu; office Hollenbeck 322; 937-327-7401

• Program Schedule
• Application

This 2012 program has been approved by the Field Studies Committee

Approval by the Provost’s Office is pending.