<p>Does anyone have any first-hand knowledge or experience with Cornell's new Asian and Pacific Studies program? This is supposed to be a hot new area at Cornell and I want to know how its first year is shaping up. Thanks.</p>
<p>bump (10 char)</p>
<p>Yeah, I'd like to hear about it too.</p>
<p>i'm not a CAPS student but...</p>
<p>well china has always held a special heart at cornell (dahli lama or whatnot) </p>
<p>cornell has always been a great place to study asiana...i like the chinese immersion...</p>
<p>I have friends that are doing it; it's awesome.</p>
<p>Well, I was previously a CAPS major but dropped out of it because my interests changed. Here's what I can tell you about the program: </p>
<p>Only a maximum of 20 majors are allowed into the program. In the past, the quota was not much of a problem but now it is because interest has grown b y so much. </p>
<p>As for the program as of currently, the leadership of the program is somewhat unstable. In the beginning, the program was headed by Chen Jian - a renowned Sino-American relations professor. However, he recently received a fellowship at UCL so he's given up the program for now. </p>
<p>Students in the program have gave me mixed responses. Many of them were complaining about how unstructured the program is like the lack of attention from Professor Chen (who only cares about research). Some complained about being placed into the incorrect Chinese class. Some people complain about Chen's wife teaching Chinese at Cornell (who is known for being ultra harsh on grading). Another bunch of people complain about how they're being attended to in Beijing and in DC. (Sorry about the vague comments b/c I need specific questions about the program to tell you more about it?).</p>
<p>Other than that, I think it's a great program for people who want to learn more about China. Many of my friends in the program have gotten externships at well known DC and Beijing non-profits etc like Council of Foreign Relations. However, the program is relatively new, still has its quirks and well I didn't feel like I got any support from people in that program. I'd rather study abroad in China by picking out programs rather than be lazy and become a CAPS major. That's just my two cents though.</p>
<p>Hey ericng, how long ago were you a CAPS major? I spoke with Dr. Xu this spring and he said CAPS was really starting to blossom, and I now hear that he's taken over as director of the program. Also, what was the problem you said people had in Beijing and DC? Thanks!</p>
<p>Well, I was a CAPS major a year ago but am back to being a History and Government major now. Here are my responses to your questions:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Well, Dr. Xu can claim that the program is improving because the foundation for CAPS is more or less already set up. For the Class of 2008 and Class of 2009, Professor Chen had no foundation to build CAPS on like a database of externships in Beijing/DC pertaining to Sino-American relations. I'm not really too sure how it's doing now because Professor Chen, the current/former? director is going for a year fellowship at UCL in UK. </p></li>
<li><p>My current complaint about CAPS is the amount of attention you might get from the staff? It seems like CAPS is heading into a storm b/c Professor Chen is gone. The 2008/2009 class complained about the lack of attention from the CAPS staff for help cuz last year, Professor Chen was on vacation till September 2007? </p></li>
</ol>
<p>I don't know how Professor Xu might lead CAPS though. Hopefully it'll be for the better. It's understandable why CAPS wasn't as amazing as advertised in the beginning b/c it is a new major. But now there seems to be a better structure to the CAPS major so it might be a good major. If you have any further questions, you're welcome to PM me. </p>
<p>FYI - you can't double major if you major in CAPS. It's a new rule Chen implemented cuz CAPS just has way too many reqs.</p>