Overview

Two Program Options (New!): Students not able to travel to China will have the option of a full week in Tokyo and full week of programming. Please indicate preference in application.

Information Session Recording Passcode: 8fDhjd8!

March 14-23, 2026

Executive Summary: East Asia Conflict Transformation

This immersive course and field experience, “East Asia Conflict Transformation: Security, Development, and Cultural Understanding,” prepares students with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the complex dynamics of East Asia. The program is designed to equip students with a deep understanding of security issues, development challenges, and cultural nuances through a combination of academic study, policy-focused research, and an immersive field trip. A final presentation will allow students to share their insights with the wider Middlebury community.

Course Description

This course addresses the heightened geopolitical tensions and complex relationships in East Asia, a region characterized by its economic dynamism, cultural diversity, and significant global impact. It aims to provide a nuanced understanding of how to transform regional conflicts into more constructive dynamics. The curriculum is comprised of three components: a pre-departure phase for research preparation, an immersive field trip to Tokyo and Beijing, and a post-trip research and presentation phase.

The course is co-taught across different departments to offer a truly interdisciplinary experience:

  • Experiential Course: DPPG8614 Conflict Transformation in Asia-Pacific: Security and Development, taught by Professor Wei Liang.
  • Language Studies Courses: CHLA 8367/8467 and JALA 8367/8467 Conflict Transformation in East Asia: Cultural Understanding, taught by Professors Jinhuei Enya Dai and Junko Matsuda.

Learning Objectives

Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of East Asian foreign policy, trade, and security conflicts. Key learning objectives include:

  • Policy Analysis: Evaluating existing government and community-based approaches to conflict transformation.
  • Regional Perspectives: Developing familiarity with theoretical and empirical perspectives on nationalism and regionalism.
  • Practical Skills: Improving research, writing, and communication skills, including formal presentations and discussions.
  • Cultural Competence: Fostering a deep appreciation for the cultural sources of identity and developing intercultural competence to navigate complex topics.

Course Structure

Part I: Pre-Departure Sessions (February 2026)

These sessions will prepare students for their field research. Topics include:

  • Cultural and Historical Background: Understanding the origins and causes of current conflicts.
  • Regional Policies: Studying the policy strategies of the U.S., China, Japan, and other regional players.
  • Field Research Training: Developing research projects, drafting interview questions, and learning field research methods.
  • Intercultural Preparation: Acquiring essential intercultural competence skills for the regional context.

Part II: Experiential Studies in Tokyo and Beijing (March 14-22, 2026)

This immersive, 9-day field trip offers firsthand experience. Students will:

  • Learn from local experts through guest lectures.
  • Conduct interviews with government officials, think tank leaders, and local university students.
  • Conduct research in local libraries.
  • Experience the cultures of both cities through guided activities.

Part III: Post-Trip Research and Presentation

After the field trip, students will:

  • Data Analysis: Process and analyze the data and notes collected during their fieldwork.
  • Final Deliverable: Complete a final research paper, a digital story, and a group presentation to the wider Middlebury community.
  • Public Showcase: The Chinese/Japanese Studies Program, in collaboration with the Interpretation Practicum, will host a Mini-Monterey Model event to showcase student findings.

Topics Covered

The curriculum will examine a broad range of foreign policy, development, and security conflicts, including:

  • US-China Rivalry: Regional responses to the strategic competition, security dilemma, and trade conflicts.
  • Territorial Disputes: The Senkaku/Diaoyu island dispute and the Taiwan Strait conflict.
  • Policy and Development: Issues related to overfishing, illegal fishing, migration, critical minerals, and building resilient global supply chains.

Language Component

In an innovative design, this course integrates language learning beyond basic translation. Professors Junko Matsuda (Japanese) and Jinhuei Enya Dai (Chinese) will incorporate Content-Based Instruction (CBI), helping students to:

  • Develop advanced language proficiency and intercultural competence.
  • Gain a deeper understanding of regional conflicts and the cultural factors that contribute to them.
  • Participate in a “parachute language” component to learn essential survival skills for students who do not speak Chinese or Japanese.