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FAQs

Admission

When is the next opportunity to take part in the program?

The GP Summer School China takes place every year during the second half of August. The next chance to participate is in summer 2008, when the program dates are August 16-August 30.

Which requirements do I have to meet in order to apply?

All applicants must be from mainland China, Taiwan, Macau or Hong Kong.  You also need to have an outstanding academic record and a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations, politics, or a related social science.  Applicants should possess excellent analytical skills, as well as a strong interest in an internationally-oriented career.   Finally, you have to present proof of English language proficiency, since all work during the program will be done in English.    

Important to note is that participants who have already started a PhD cannot participate in this program.  Students who are currently working on their Master’s degree, however, are encouraged to apply. 

 

How and when can I apply?

The application process starts in February 2008.  All completed applications must be received no later than May 31, 2008.  We encourage you to apply using our online application software. 

In your application, you must include a mission statement, an updated copy of your CV, and your diplomas from previous degrees. Also, please make sure to write your name with both Chinese characters and a Pinyin transliteration.

For further information, please visit our online admissions site.

 

What is a mission statement?

The mission statement is an essay of up to one page that outlines the following two points: your motivation in taking part in the program, and why this program is relevant for your academic and professional future. Academic papers and research proposals will not be accepted as mission statements.

 

Which language requirements do I have to fulfil?

In order to come to the GP Summer School China, you need to show evidence of your proficiency in English.  This means you have to be able to prove that your English skills are at the C1 level or higher according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.  If possible, please attach language certificates which make it easier for us to evaluate your language skills.

 

Do I need letters of recommendation?

Letters of recommendation are not necessary, but if you would like to add them to your application, you are welcome to do so.  Our application software includes a section where you can upload letters of recommendation.

Do I have to send a paper application?

No.  Paper applications are not necessary. The online application is sufficient and also encouraged by the program.  

Study program

Who are the tutors of the summer school?

The tutors for the GP Summer School are German and Chinese scholars of International Relations. These men and women are specialists in their fields and bring a wide range of expertise to the program. If you want to know more about them before the start of the program, have a look in the modules section of the website.  You can read the profiles of the tutors from last year simply by clicking on their names.

How many hours do I have to work for the summer school during those two weeks?

The summer school covers a lot of material over just two weeks, so participants will be expected to devote quite a bit of time to the program. Students will have 49.5 contact hours for classes, both online and face-to-face.  Participants should also complete all the readings before class and be ready to discuss and analyse the subject matter in a meaningful way.  Additionally, each participant is responsible for making a presentation, writing a paper, and taking the minutes of a lesson over the course of the two weeks. However, tutors do their best to make sure that the work material is interesting and engaging. In combination with our extracurricular program, this means that although the GP Summer School students work hard, they also enjoy themselves! 

What does “online instruction” mean?

Online instruction is part of our goal to incorporate new learning methods into the curriculum of the GP Summer School China.  Prior to the start of the Summer School, three courses will be introduced online through the learning management system Blackboard.  Participants will be given one or two little tasks and will be asked to participate in online discussions. This gives the students additional time to prepare and to get to know their tutors before the start of the program. The idea of online instruction works especially well here because of the length of the program; two weeks is a very short time and the online component significantly extends this learning period.

 

When do I get the readings to prepare my paper, presentation, and the discussions in class?

All students will receive the readings four weeks in advance. You will be able to access the readings at any time through the online learning management system Blackboard.

 

How do I log into Blackboard?

About four weeks before the summer school begins, all participants will get a personal user account and password. For further information, please read our tutorial for the use of Blackboard.

 

What is required in a student presentation?

Presentations should introduce the other students to the topic of each session and also include questions for discussion afterwards. In general, presentations are based on the readings for each session, but should be extended through additional research, case studies, etc. Students can expect to speak for up to 20 minutes and include a maximum of 10 slides in a power point or equivalent presentation format. A projector will be provided so that all participants can see the information. The presentations are given in groups of 2 to 3 students, so teamwork is an important component.

 

How do I know which presentation group I am in?

Two weeks before the start of the GP Summer School program, you will be asked to select two choices for a presentation, based on the subject material and readings you will have already received through the Blackboard. We will then divide students into groups of two to three and give you the e-mail addresses of your partners.   

 

What are the formal requirements for a paper?

The paper should be about 1,500 words in length and should also include footnotes and a bibliography of a minimum of five titles. The paper must be based on a clearly defined research question or hypothesis with reference to a particular body of literature or a particular theory. Additionally, the subject of the paper should be linked to the content of one of the program courses.

 

How do I write minutes for a session?

Writing minutes is meant to be an exercise in distinguishing between important and unimportant information, a skill crucial in both the academic and business worlds. During the class for which you have to write the minutes, you should take notes, especially focussing on the discussion. When writing the final version of the minutes, be sure to begin with a heading stating the course title, tutor, session, date, time, and your name. Afterwards, you should give a useful and accurate but concise account of the course session. This should include a brief outline of what was discussed plus the points of agreement and any open questions. The minutes have to be written in full sentences, not just as bullet points or keywords. Also important is that you shouldn’t directly quote any classmates in the minutes; use the passive voice as much as possible and don’t mention any names. If there is a presentation made in class, don’t copy it - summarize the discussion points that came out of the presentation instead.

 

What is the grading scheme for papers, presentations, and minutes?

All assignments for the GP Summer School China are graded according to the following system:

Percentage		Points		Grade
From	To	From	To
97	100	4,85	5	A+
94	97	4,7	4,84	A
90	94	4,5	4,69	A-
87	90	4,35	4,49	B+
84	87	4,2	4,34	B
80	84	4	4,19	B-
77	80	3,85	3,99	C+
74	77	3,7	3,84	C
70	74	3,5	3,69	C-
67	70	3,35	3,49	D+
64	67	3,2	3,34	D
60	64	3	3,19	D-
57	60	2,85	2,99	E+
54	57	2,7	2,84	E
50	54	2,5	2,69	E-
0	50	0	2,49	F

 

Costs

How much are the total tuition costs?

The total cost for the 2008 GP Summer School China is 750 CYN, which includes not only tuition but also all expenses for the extracurricular program (transport costs to different locations, entrance fees, etc.). 

 

Do I have to pay for accommodation and travel by myself?

Participants in the GP Summer School China are responsible for accommodation costs.  However, the program has arranged accommodation at a good price in the Zhengda guesthouse of Fudan University for 40 CYN per night.

Travel costs are of course individual and must be covered by the students.