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Low cost Chinese culture courses open to public

Dec. 21, 2010

Photo of Western Michigan University Chinese cooking classes.KALAMAZOO--The Confucius Institute at Western Michigan University is offering a series of seven low-cost Chinese culture courses to the general public beginning in January.

Tuition-only discounts are being provided to senior citizens age 55 and older as well as to WMU students and employees. Senior citizens and WMU students pay half price for tuition. WMU employees pay no tuition at all, just a class fee if one is charged to offset the cost of materials and supplies.

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Chinese culture courses

The Chinese culture course offerings represent part of the Confucius Institute's greater mission to dramatically expand international opportunities for southwest Michigan residents as well as to provide new Chinese language and cultural studies options for the WMU campus community.

The nonprofit Confucius Institute was created in July 2009 through a partnership between WMU and Beijing Language and Culture University. It was the fourth such institution established in Michigan and the 61st to be founded in the United States.

Spring 2011 course descriptions

  • Chinese Cooking--Session I is from Jan. 17 to Feb. 21 and Session II is from March 7 to April 11. This course will meet for six weeks from 6 to 8 p.m. on Mondays at Can-Do Kitchen, located inside First Baptist Church, 315 W. Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo. The non-discounted tuition is $60, and there is a $70 class fee.

  • Chinese Music Appreciation--Session I is from Jan. 17 to Feb. 21 and Session II is from March 7 to April 15. This course will meet for six weeks from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Mondays on campus in Room 2210 of Dunbar Hall. The non-discounted tuition is $60.

  • Chinese Painting--Session I is from Jan. 18 to Feb. 22 and Session II is from March 8 to April 16. This course will meet for six weeks from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays on campus in 2204 of Dunbar Hall. The non-discounted tuition is $60, and there is a $20 class fee.

  • Introduction to Traditional Chinese Medicine--Session I is from Jan. 19 to Feb. 23 and Session II is from March 9 to April 17. This course will meet for six weeks from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays on campus in 2502 Dunbar. The non-discounted tuition is $60.

  • Chinese Traditional Crafts--Session I is from Jan. 20 to Feb. 24 and Session II is from March 10 to April 14. This course will meet for six weeks from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursdays on campus in Room 2152 of Dunbar Hall. The non-discounted tuition is $60, and there is a $20 class fee.

  • Tai Chi--Session I is from Jan. 21 to March 18 and Session II from April 1 to May 20. This course will meet for eight weeks from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The location is to be determined. The non-discounted tuition is $60.

  • Chinese Language--Beginning Jan. 20, this course will meet for 19 weeks from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursdays on campus in 2204 in Dunbar Hall. The non-discounted tuition is $90.

Registration and contact information

Registration for the Chinese culture courses is on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration is now open and closes Jan. 28. Anyone wishing to register for a course on the day it begins or after it already has begun should confirm class and seating availability prior to registering. Courses with low enrollment may be canceled.

To register, visit the Confucius Institute online and follow the "registration" link on the Culture Classes page, or call the institute at (269) 387-3951.

The Confucius Institute does not provide parking passes. Participants should arrange to obtain day-passes from WMU Parking Services as needed or to pay at parking meters.

For more information, contact Margaret von Steinen at margaret.vonsteinen@wmich.edu or (269) 387-3993.

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Media contact: Jeanne Baron, (269) 387-8400, jeanne.baron@wmich.edu

WMU News
Office of University Relations
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5433 USA
(269) 387-8400
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