Tibetan children from a traditional village playing

• Geography 411 - Senior Field Research in China and Tibet
• Geography 499 - Geographic Documentation
• Religious Studies 391 - Buddhist Pilgrimage
• Religious Studies 393 - Buddhism in Contemporary Tibetan Culture

Set against a backdrop of great economic and social change in China, this field trip is a unique opportunity to explore a large part of Asia in depth while gaining valuable research experience. Starting in Shanghai, China's emerging financial powerhouse, our specially designed route takes us through the spectacular physical and cultural landscape of China's mesmerizing South and Southwest; for centuries a former tea trade route to Tibet.

During our journey we traveled from the newly transformed Shanghai, "Pearl of the Orient" through the lower reaches of the Yangtze River Valley to the high grasslands and deep valleys of the Tibetan Plateau. Specific study sites have been chosen that best represent the most significant aspects of these cultural landscapes. As part of our task, many important geographical, historical and cultural factors that help define these regions will be identified and documented. Examples of field topics include; topography and landforms, agricultural systems, economic development, ethnic composition and distribution and the sacred landscapes of Daoism and Tibetan Buddhism. Given the volatile history of modern Tibet, an in-depth survey of its unique art and architecture will be undertaken, during which a number of remote, rarely seen ancient sites will be located and their current state of preservation recorded.

Course Instructor: Tony Rossi
Website: David Gagner