BUILDING THE BRIDGE--USC CHINA RESEARCH

INSTITUTE

James Ellis

Senior Executive Director for Global Initiatives

The Importance of China in the World

• News stories about China in every newspaper and news magazine

– Covering aspects of current landscape: culture, role as a rising power, space exploration, military build-up, natural resources, energy needs

– Tremendous opportunities and challenges for American companies in China’s growing market

– In 2005, China’s economy grew nearly 10%, and it is now the world’s fifth largest economy

Challenges for China, U.S. and the World

• U.S. relationship with China in 20 or 30 years, as China continues its ascent as an economic and military power

• Internal conflict between a communist government and free market economy

• The Taiwan issue

• Future relationships with other countries, particularly in Asia and Latin America

Existing USC-China Connections

• More than 1,600 students from China and Taiwan attend USC

• 3,000 Alumni from China and Taiwan

• 6 APRU members in China; 1 in Taiwan

• International Offices in Taipei and Hong Kong

USC: Education Focused on China

• Global Executive MBA program: Marshall School of Business and Shanghai Jiao Tong University (56 students admitted 2005)

• Distance Education Network: Viterbi School of Engineering and Tsinghua University

• Study abroad opportunities: journalism, architecture, law, pharmacy, business, College

• Digital documentary project in LA and Beijing: School of Cinema-Television

• Orchestral and operatic programs: Thornton School of Music and Shanghai Conservatory of Music

USC: Research Focused on China

• Approximately 45 USC faculty members conducting or collaborating on research involving China and Taiwan– From the College of Arts and Sciences, Keck School of

Medicine, School of Social Work, Marshall School of Business, Viterbi School of Engineering, School of Policy, Planning and Development, and School of Gerontology

• China Seven Cities Study and advanced training for Chinese public health officials

• Research on aging and effect on China

USC: Existing Assets in the Rigorous Academic Study of China

• East Asian Studies Center • Korean Studies Institute • Pacific Council • Faculty experts in many departments and

schools, including Political Science, International Relations, Economics, Anthropology, East Asian Languages/Cultures, Public Policy, Business, Medicine

USC: Academic Programs LinkedDirectly to China

• Majors: American Studies and Ethnicity (Asian American Studies); East Asian Area Studies; East Asian Languages and Cultures; Linguistics/East Asian Languages and Culture

• Minors: Asian American Studies; East Asian Area Studies; East Asian Language and Cultures; Pacific Rim Development

• Graduate Programs: East Asian Area Studies (MA); East Asian Languages and Cultures (MA and PhD); Joint MBA/MA in East Asian Area Studies; Politics and International Relations (Ph.D.)

USC: Increased Enrollment inChinese Language Classes

020406080

100120140160180200

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

EALC 100-levelcourses

EALC 200-levelcourses

USC China Research Institute:Our Preliminary Thoughts

• Establish interdisciplinary research institute to produce rigorous, policy-relevant social science research

• Create the China Studies Center of the 21st Century

• Focus on U.S./China relationship but also address related regional and global issues

USC China Research Institute:Our Preliminary Thoughts

• Objective: To become the place scholars, policy makers, government officials world-wide, and journalists turn to for cutting-edge social science research on significant questions and long-term trends related to China/US relations

• Objective: To become a catalyst to attract top faculty and develop innovative academic programs for undergraduate and graduate students

USC China Research Institute:Unique Capabilities

• There are virtually no university centers on China that focus on policy-relevant social sciences or on US/China relationship; – typical focus is on humanities and cultural studies

• Unlike D.C. think tanks, USC Institute will bring an interdisciplinary research perspective to an understanding of larger structural trends

• Existing training programs and academic connections provide excellent foundation for connections to Chinese policy makers and academics

USC China Research Institute:Unique Capabilities

• Our location provides a rationale for a distinctive emphasis on Pacific Rim issues, including trade and other economic issues and the developing role of China in Latin America

• The Los Angeles connection allows for a focus on issues of diversity, immigration, and cultural transformation

USC China Research Institute:Fellows Program

• Resident Fellows: Drawn from USC faculty; appointments in schools but affiliation with Institute

• Visiting/Affiliated Fellows: Scholars drawn from China, the US, and other parts of the world

• Media Fellows: Drawn from reporters who cover China and East Asia

• Graduate Fellows: PhD and Post-doctoral students working on policy-relevant social science research on China

USC China Research Institute:Open Questions

• Specify mission beyond a commitment to rigorous social sciences addressing important policy issues relevant to US/China relationship

• Define relationship of Institute to existing centers and schools

• Identify Director and work with schools to recruit outstanding faculty

• Develop distinctive activities beyond research and academic programs, e.g., retreat for top journalists in area to focus on larger issues

• Identify physical space for Institute to allow room for interdisciplinary interactions and space for fellows

• Embark on fundraising to build endowment