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Anthropology, Art History, Asian Studies, Economics, Educational Studies, Environmental Studies, Ethics Studies, Film Studies, Global Health, Culture and Society, History, Interdisciplinary Studies in Society and Culture, International Studies, Music, Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, Religion, Sociology, Women's Studies
Academic Focus: The study abroad program in Dharamsala, India focuses on the study of Tibetan language, philosophy, culture, and civilization. In addition, individual research projects are an important component of the program. This program is open to all majors, but may be particularly suitable to students with academic interests in the majors listed above.
His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama has been named Presidential Distinguished Professor at Emory University, the first university appointment accepted by the 1989 Nobel Peace Laureate and leader of the Tibetan exile community. In this capacity, the Dalai Lama will offer a private teaching session with students during Emory's study abroad program in Dharamsala. For information about this appointment, please visit: http://dalailama.emory.edu.
Approximate Dates: January 18-May 18, 2010 The Spring 2010 program schedule will be available shortly.
Eligibility Requirements: A minimum 3.0* GPA, following at least 3 semesters of college-level work and enrollment at an accredited institution the semester prior to the study abroad semester. No language requirement. Students are required to complete a phone interview and/or meeting with the Program Director prior to admittance.
In addition to the semester program, Emory also offers a summer program focusing on Tibetan Mind/Body Sciences. Students participating in the Spring semester Emory Tibetan Studies Program are also eligible to participate in the summer program, which beings immediately after the semester program concludes.
*Students with below 3.0 GPA are encouraged to apply to this program. Please meet with a CIPA Advisor for more information or view GPA Waiver Process
Program Information: Situated in the foothills of the Himalayas and home to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Dharamsala is the cultural and intellectual capital of the Tibetan exile community. The program integrates academic study, traditional Buddhist pedagogy, field research in the Tibetan community, and guided explorations of contemplative practice. This unique combination of theory, practice, and immersion provides an excellent opportunity to explore numerous cultural, political, historical, and religious dimensions of the Tibetan world.
The program begins with a four-day orientation in Delhi. We then proceed to the Institute of Buddhist Dialectics, Sarah campus, located at the base of the mountains and home to 300 young refugees engaged in graduate studies. There our students live with Tibetan roommates, attend classes taught by Emory and IBD faculty, and celebrate Losar (Tibetan New Years). After six weeks at IBD Sarah, we move to Upper Dharamsala for another six weeks where coursework continues at the main IBD campus. During the program, we join the community in attending two weeks of teachings by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The Dalai Lama will also offer a private teaching session with students. Other activities include weekly field trips and speakers, and opportunities to attend sessions of the Tibetan Parliament, monastic debates, Tibetan opera season, and commemorations of Tibetan Uprising Day. Students also participate in a short two-week host family stay. The program concludes with one month of supervised field research.
Courses: Students enroll in four courses and earn a total of 16 credit hours.
Tibetan Culture and Civilization ASIA 370 / ANTH 150 / REL 370 (4 credits) This course provides an historical and cultural overview with lectures by Emory faculty, field trips, and guest speakers. Topics include Tibetan religion, arts, politics, social life, medicine, education, environment, and issues of exile and diaspora. Tibetan Studies Culture Syllabus
Tibetan Buddhist Philosophy and Practice ASIA 370 / REL 373 / PHIL 482 (4 credits) This course covers the fundamentals of Buddhism and more advanced explorations of Mahayana psychology, philosophy, and ethics. This course will also include two weeks of public teachings with the Dalai Lama and instruction in meditation. Tibetan Studies Philosophy Syllabus
Tibetan Language Students will enroll in either TBT 101 or TBT 102, depending on prior knowledge of Tibetan. Tibetan Studies Language Syllabus
Tibetan Language 101 TBT 101 / ASIA 375 (4 credits) This courses is intended as an introduction to modern spoken and written Tibetan. By the end of the course students will be able to understand and speak colloquial Tibetan at the novice level, write the classical dbu can script, and read simple passages. The course will meet four to five days per week, and will include grammar, reading, writing, speaking, and oral comprehension. Two to three times a week, students will also practice with local language partners provided by IBD.
Tibetan Language 102 TBT 102 / ASIA 375 (4 credits) This courses is intended as a continued introduction to modern spoken and written Tibetan. By the end of the course students will be able to understand and speak colloquial Tibetan at an advanced novice level, write one of the cursive scripts (dbu med), and read simple texts. The course will meet four to five days per week, and will include grammar, reading, writing, speaking, and oral comprehension. Three times a week, students will also practice with local language partners provided by IBD.
Independent Research: Selected Topics ASIA 497R / REL 497R (4 credits) This course allows students to explore creatively a particular Tibetan Studies related topic and culminates in a major paper. Methodology might include tutorials, field research, internship, service, and/or library research, under the joint direction of Emory and local staff. Students may arrange credit hours towards their major, pending approval from their faculty advisor. Tibetan Studies Independent Research Syllabus Students may also read previous research proposals and papers from former program participants. Living Arrangements: While both at the IBD Sarah campus and the Tibetan guesthouse, students will live in furnished double rooms with common baths. At Sarah, students will live with Tibetan roommates and eat most meals on campus. In Upper Dharamsala, breakfast and either lunch or dinner will be provided, with stipends given for the third meal. During the research period, stipends will be provided for travel, food, lodging, and research assistance.
Costs: A full description of the program costs and billing procedures is available in the budget sheets. Please click here for Budget Sheets. Spring
Financial Aid/Scholarships: Students are eligible to carry existing financial aid and scholarships on Emory-approved study abroad programs. Students may also be eligible to apply for the following scholarships: IDN-CIPA Scholarship, CIPA Study Abroad Grant, Benjamin Gilman Scholarship, NSEP Boren Scholarship. For more information, please visit Study Abroad Scholarships, Grants, Research & Service
Application Process : This program is open to both Emory students and to visiting students from other institutions. For questions or assistance, please contact the CIPA Advisor to schedule a meeting or to inquire about the process. In order to apply, students must complete the following steps:
1. Apply online to your program via the on-line application system. Click on the Apply Now link. Emory students will need their Emory login ID and password. Visiting students from other institutions will create a username (current email address) and password through the online system.
2. View the application checklist and requirements. Once you log into the system, you will be required to complete a series of steps through the checklist process. The checklist includes the following types of documents:
Material submissions: Items that you need to hand into the CIPA office: (a) $300 application deposit (to be applied towards the Emory tuition bill), (b) Study Abroad Academic Course Plan (to be signed by your major academic advisor), (c) Photocopy of Passport (d) 2 letters of recommendation (e) Official Transcript (for Visiting students only- must submit an official transcript) (f) Six passport sized photos
Signature documents: Items that you will need to read and "digitally sign" on-line: (a) Application Instructions and Information (detailed instructions on process) (b) CIPA Application Authorization and Agreement (c) CIPA Agreement to Terms and Conditions of Program
Questionnaires: Items that you will need to fill out and answer online: (a) CIPA Essay (b) Additional Applicant Information (c) CIPA Eligibility Certification (d) Tibetan Language Statement
(e) Research proposal
3. Complete all application materials by the stated deadline above. Upon completion of the online application, CIPA will notify you of your provisional approval status via email. If you have questions at any point in the process, please contact a CIPA Advisor.
Brochure
This page is the brochure for your selected program. You can view the provided information for this program on this page and click on the available buttons for additional options.
