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Media contact: Lake Superior College Gary Kruchowski, (218) 733-7649, g.kruchowski@lsc.edu or Janet Blixt, (218) 723-4743 j.blixt@lsc.edu or Minneapolis Community Technical College Ann Freeman, (612) 659-6222 ann.freeman@minneapolis.edu
Lake Superior College, Minneapolis Community Technical College Collaborate to Offer Chinese Culture and Language Classes Available Through Minnesota Online
(June 20, 2006) -- Interest in China has grown dramatically as that country emerges as an economic powerhouse and Asia's cultural giant. Two of Minnesota's two-year colleges have developed online courses that will enable students to study China and Chinese from a variety of perspectives, beginning this fall semester. The courses are Chinese Civilization and Culture (HUM 2009), offered by Duluth's Lake Superior College (LSC) and Beginning Chinese (CHIN 1000), offered by Minneapolis Community and Technical College (MCTC).
Students may sign up for either or both classes through Minnesota Online (www.minnesotaonline.org), the Internet portal for all online classes offered by the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system.
"This presents a new opportunity for students to combine two courses from two institutions to build a richer learning experience," said Jim Berg, LSC's dean of liberal arts and sciences.
"The opportunity for online students to take both a Chinese language course and a civilization and culture course should enhance learning in both courses," said Linnea Stetson, MCTC's dean of academic affairs.
"This is the first of many global learning offerings we plan to make available through the LSC Virtual Campus and Minnesota Online," said Barry Dahl, vice president of technology and the Virtual Campus at LSC.
Dahl recently returned from China, where he toured with a group of MnSCU educators. He hopes that the trip will identify additional educational partnerships and exchanges, including some that can be delivered via the Internet.
Lake Superior College has collaborated on several projects with Chinese artists and educators in recent years. The LSC Art Department has conducted several student tours of China to participate in art conferences and tours of the region's ceramics factories and studios. Teaching exchanges with Guangzhow University have also occurred. A celebrated high-profile ceramics artist, Wenzhi Zhang, taught at LSC during the spring of 2005 and LSC art instructor Dorian Beaulieu recently returned from China where he demonstrated ceramics. Pieces by art faculty members Beaulieu and Bob Husby are in permanent collections in China.
MCTC has been involved with universities in China for several years. For the last two years, MCTC faculty members have taught at a summer arts camp for youth at Ningbo University. Ten MCTC faculty and administrators recently returned from a two-week trip to China for a cultural study tour that also included 17 colleagues from other MnSCU colleges and universities. Currently, ten MCTC nursing students are at Hanghou University studying nursing with their counterparts there. Planning is underway for continued educational exchange opportunities with three Chinese universities.
Robert Kosuth, a Lake Superior College instructor, will teach Chinese Literature and Culture. A Chicago native, Kosuth has master's degrees in East Asian Studies and Linguistics and a Ph.D. in Second Languages and Cultures. During the past 30 years, he has taught and traveled for extended periods in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. His command of Chinese language and interactions with everyday Chinese citizens enable the course to connect the classic culture of the past with the actual culture that Chinese people live every day.
Beginning Chinese (CHIN 1000) will be taught by Faye Merritt, Minneapolis Community and Technical College instructor. Merrit was born in Ningbo, Zhejiang. She graduated from Zhejiang University in Hangzhou with a B.A. degree in English and literature. She went on to study second language teaching at Utah State University as a graduate student and taught Chinese language courses there.
Minneapolis Community and Technical College is the most ethnically diverse college in Minnesota. A member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system, MCTC offers students a comprehensive liberal arts curriculum and more than 60 career and occupational programs designed to prepare people for good jobs in high-demand professions. Located in downtown Minneapolis, MCTC enrolls more than 11,000 students annually and is an active partner in initiatives designed to strengthen the social, economic and cultural vitality of the Twin Cities metropolitan area. For more information, visit http://www.minneapolis.edu.
LSC is a member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) system. With more than 5,000 students enrolled this past spring semester, LSC is Northeastern Minnesota's largest two-year college. LSC provides a wide range of programs and services, including liberal arts and science courses for transfer, technical programs intended to provide occupational skills, continuing education, and customized training for business and industry. LSC is also the leader in Internet-delivered courses and programs in Minnesota.
