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FAQs

Admission

When is the next opportunity to take part in the program?
The GP Summer School China takes place in the second half of August every year. The next chance to participate is August 13 - August 26, 2012.

Which requirements do I have to meet in order to apply?
The program is primarily directed at students and young professionals from mainland China, Taiwan, Macau or Hong Kong. A limited number of applicants from Germany or other countries may also be admitted.

You 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 on April 16.  All completed applications must be received no later than June 16, 2012. 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.

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 fulfill?
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 summer school’s instructors?
The instructors for the GP Summer School are German and Chinese scholars of International Relations. They 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. There you can read about the profiles and course contents of last year’s instructors.

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 analyze 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 three 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 three 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 give an introduction to the topic of the session and 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. Students should contact their group members and their instructor in order to specify the contents and structure of the presentation.

How do I know which presentation group I am in?
Students will be asked to make a first and second choice for their presentation topic. You will then be divided into groups of two to three people and will receive the contact details of your fellow group members.

What are the formal requirements for a paper?
The paper should be about 1,500 words in length and should 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. Students should contact their instructor in order to specify the exact topic/research question of their paper.

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 focusing 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 to remember 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:

 

Costs

How much are the total tuition costs?
The total cost for the 2011 GP Summer School China is 800 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 of the GP Summer School China have to cover the costs for accommodation, travel and living expenses by themselves.

Will the program organise accomodation for the participants?
The program will arrange accommodation at a good price at a hotel near Fudan University campus. Participants will be accomodated in twin or single rooms. Students may also take care of their accomodation by themselves.