TOChina Summer School

Introduction

In June 2019, 48 PhD candidates, graduate students, young scholars and professionals gathered in Torino for the 13th edition of the TOChina Summer School: two high-powered weeks of advanced training in the politics, political economy and foreign policy of contemporary China.

A blog post on The China Story captures the essence of the program, where emerging China hands and China-literate practitioners from Australia, China, Germany, Greece, Italy, Macedonia, Pakistan, Romania, the UK, and the USA were welcomed to one of Italy’s most dynamic cities, being exposed to valuable insights and cutting-edge research agendas by some of the world’s most accomplished scholars on contemporary China.

The 14th edition of the School will be held in Torino from Monday June 22 to Friday July 3, 2020.

As ever with TOChina activities, the aim is to work at the intersection between China’s long-term structural transformations in socio-political, economic and cultural terms, and those particularly salient trends that are currently informing international debates on China.

To ensure the pluralism of disciplinary and intellectual perspectives presented throughout the course, TOChina Summer School faculty members are academics and policy experts from a variety of fields, including Economics, Economic History, International Relations, International Political Economy, Political Philosophy and Culture, Political Science, and Sociology.

In-class activities – including lectures, seminars, round tables, and extensive Q&A sessions – run Monday to Friday, 9.30 am to 5.30 pm. The TOChina Summer School is held at the “Luigi Einaudi” Campus of the University of Torino (described as one the world’s “10 most spectacular university buildings“).

The TOChina Summer School is suitable not only for participants wishing to study the domestic aspects of China’s politics, but also for those who intend to explore the rapidly evolving dynamics of Asian and global geopolitics and economics. For those looking for insights into future career options, the TOChina Summer School offers a unique opportunity to engage in lively debates with senior scholars who are often in charge of PhD programs in their country, and affiliated to a variety of organizations. The informal sessions participants join to acquire greater knowledge of the work of TOChina faculty members are a trademark of TOChina’s hands-on approach to the study of contemporary China.

Details of the program are available on this website, with information being updated weekly. Applications will be evaluated on a first come, first served basis.

Several scholarships covering accommodation, and meals are available. Please check the eligibility criteria for Freetorino scholarships.

Final details on the timetable & faculty of the next edition of the TOChina Summer School will be posted by February 24, 2020.
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To apply for the TOChina Summer School, please fill the online application form:

Application Form

The intellectual salon is a rara avis among those outside China who would come to grips with that country’s complex socio-political, regional and economic topography. TOChina offers a unique educational salon for engaged young scholars and professionals from various backgrounds in which they can learn about, discuss and debate the presence of China on the global stage. A salon with edge and purpose like the TOChina Summer School prepares participants for the real world of China today and tomorrow.

Prof. Geremie Barmé

TOChina engaged me in dialogues with both leading experts and young scholars of China studies in a truly multicultural context, where I made lifelong friends who share my own vision and passion for this field of research. The TOChina Summer School is indeed an empowering experience.

MS. WANG GERUI 王格睿
(TOChina alumna 2012)

The intellectual salon is a rara avis among those outside China who would come to grips with that country’s complex socio-political, regional and economic topography. TOChina offers a unique educational salon for engaged young scholars and professionals from various backgrounds in which they can learn about, discuss and debate the presence of China on the global stage. A salon with edge and purpose like the TOChina Summer School prepares participants for the real world of China today and tomorrow.

Prof. Geremie Barmé

TOChina engaged me in dialogues with both leading experts and young scholars of China studies in a truly multicultural context, where I made lifelong friends who share my own vision and passion for this field of research. The TOChina Summer School is indeed an empowering experience.

MS. WANG GERUI 王格睿 (TOChina alumna 2012)

Introduction

In June 2018, 51 PhD candidates, graduate students, young scholars and professionals gathered in Torino for the 12th edition of the TOChina Summer School: two high-powered weeks of advanced training in the politics, political economy and foreign policy of contemporary China.

A blog post on The China Story captures the essence of the program, where emerging China hands and China-literate practitioners from Australia, China, Germany, Greece, Italy, Macedonia, Pakistan, Romania, the UK, and the USA were welcomed to one of Italy’s most dynamic cities, being exposed to valuable insights and cutting-edge research agendas by some of the world’s most accomplished scholars on contemporary China.

The 13th edition of the School will run in Torino from Tuesday June 25 to Friday July 5, 2019.

As ever with TOChina activities, the aim is to work at the intersection between China’s long-term structural transformations in socio-political, economic and cultural terms, and those particularly salient trends that are currently informing international debates on China.

To ensure the pluralism of disciplinary and intellectual perspectives presented throughout the course, TOChina Summer School faculty members are academics and policy experts from a variety of fields, including Economics, Economic History, International Relations, International Political Economy, Political Philosophy and Culture, Political Science, and Sociology.

In-class activities – including lectures, seminars, round tables, and extensive Q&A sessions – run Monday to Friday, 9.30 am to 5.30 pm. The TOChina Summer School is held at the “Luigi Einaudi” Campus of the University of Torino (described as one the world’s “10 most spectacular university buildings“).

The TOChina Summer School is suitable not only for participants wishing to study the domestic aspects of China’s politics, but also for those who intend to explore the rapidly evolving dynamics of Asian and global geopolitics and economics. For those looking for insights into future career options, the TOChina Summer School offers a unique opportunity to engage in lively debates with senior scholars who are often in charge of PhD programs in their country, and affiliated to a variety of organizations. The informal sessions participants join to acquire greater knowledge of the work of TOChina faculty members are a trademark of TOChina’s hands-on approach to the study of contemporary China.

Details of the program are available on this website, with information being updated weekly. Applications will be accepted starting on Monday February 25th, until Sunday June 2nd. Applications will be evaluated on a first come, first served basis.

Several scholarships covering tuition fees, accommodation, and meals are available. Please check the eligibility criteria for Freetorino scholarships.

To apply for the TOChina Summer School, please fill the online application form:

Application Form

timetable (2019)

All of the TOChina Summer School lectures are hosted at the "Luigi Einaudi" Campus, Lungo Dora Siena 100/a, Torino.

Final details on the timetable & faculty of the next edition of the TOChina Summer School will be posted by February 24, 2020.



time

Monday
24 JuNE

Tuesday
25 JUNE

Wednesday
26 JUNE

Thursday
27 JUNE

Friday
28 JUNE

09.30
-
12.30

Arrival in Torino

Patricia THORNTON

Significant Anniversaries: the PRC at 70

Patricia THORNTON

What Xi Jinping owes to the Past

PU Xiaoyu

China and the International Relations of status signaling

PU Xiaoyu

Red mask and white mask: Chinese regional diplomacy

lunch break

15.00
-
17.30

Arrival in Torino

Rana MITTER

China's Republican era: connections and contrasts with contemporary China

Andrea GHISELLI

Great power doubts: China and the Middle East

Christopher McNALLY

The rise of sino-capitalism: domestic dynamics

Christopher McNALLY

Chaotic mélange? Sino-capitalism at the twilight of the liberal order

Welcome aperitif

(h 19.00)

City tour by bus

(h 18.30)

time

Monday
1 July

Tuesday
2 July

Wednesday
3 July

Thursday
4 July

Friday
5 July

09.30
-
12.30

NIU Jun ZHOU Qi

40 years of PRC-USA relations: lessons learned and the road ahead

LI Cheng

Who’s who in the Chinese Party - State

Katherine MORTON

Chimeric order? The China factor in global governance

Katherine MORTON

Securing the Belt and Road Initiative

Bonnie GLASER

China as a selective revisionist Power in the international order

lunch break

15.00
-
17.30

François GODEMENT

Whither EU-China relations in the "new era"

CHEN Dingding

Making sense of US-China strategic competition in the tech and cyber domains

LI Cheng

Key policy outlooks for China during Xi's second term

Bonnie GLASER

The view from across the Strait: Taiwan in Xi's era

FINAL TEST

Farewell Party

(h 19.00)

Faculty & Sessions (2019)

CHEN Dingding

JINAN university

lecture: Making sense of US-China strategic competition in the tech and cyber domains

Andrea GHISELLI

FUDAN university & TOCHINA HUB

lecture: Great power doubts: China and the Middle East

Bonnie GLASER

Center for Strategic and International Studies

lecture: The view from across the Strait: Taiwan in Xi's era

lecture: China as a selective revisionist Power in the international order

François GODEMENT

Institut Montaigne

lecture: Whither EU-China relations in the "new era"

LI Cheng

John L. Thornton China Centre & Brookings

LECTURE: Who’s who in the Chinese Party - State

LECTURE: Key policy outlooks for China during Xi Jinping’s second term

Christopher McNALLY

East-West Center & Chaminade University

LECTURE: The rise of sino-capitalism: domestic dynamics

LECTURE: Chaotic mélange? Sino-capitalism at the twilight of the liberal order

Rana MITTER

University of OXFORD

LECTURE: China's Republican era: connections and contrasts with contemporary China

Katherine MORTON

University of Sheffield

LECTURE: Securing the Belt and Road Initiative

LECTURE: Chimeric order? The China factor in global governance

NIU Jun

PEKING University

LECTURE: 40 years of PRC-USA relations: lessons learned and the road ahead

PU Xiaoyu

University of Nevada Reno

LECTURE: China and the International Relations of status signaling

lecture: Red mask and white mask: Chinese regional diplomacy

Patricia THORNTON

University of OXFORD

LECTURE: Significant Anniversaries: the PRC at 70

LECTURE: What Xi Jinping owes to the Past

ZHOU Qi

Chinese Academy of Social Sciences

LECTURE: 40 years of PRC-USA relations: lessons learned and the road ahead

Previous editions

Key Dates

24 february

The TOChina Centre begins accepting online applications for the 2020 edition of the TOChina Summer School.

Applications will be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis.

2 JUNE

All complete applications reaching the TOChina Program Manager by this date (CET) are evaluated. No late application will be considered.

8 june

By this date the last successful applicants receiving an offer must formally accept it and send proof of fees payment (direct bank transfer, all banking expenses must be paid by the candidate) via email. Upon receiving these, the TOChina Program Manager will confirm the candidate’s enrollment. Applicants who should fail to meet this deadline will have their offer withdrawn.

21 june

Participants gather in Torino. FREETORINO Scholarship holders are accompanied to their accommodation.

22 june

The TOChina Summer School begins.

Admissions Criteria

The TOChina Summer School is designed for highly motivated students and professionals looking for one of the world’s best intensive programs focussing on the politics, society, political economy and foreign policy of contemporary China. A careful selection is carried out in order to make sure that the School’s working environment is as dynamic and challenging as possible. The Admissions Committee focuses on the following factors in reaching its decisions:

1. the applicant’s capacity to make a credible claim for a proficient research/professional career with China;

2. sound academic credentials and fluency in English;

3. individual potential as expressed by the applicant’s CV;

4. the candidate’s motivation as articulated in the personal statement.

Applications are welcome from any professional or student who is in possession of the required qualifications. These are a Bachelor honours degree at 1 or 2:1 level (or an equivalent European title, such as the Laurea triennale for Italian students with a minimum grade of 100/110) and full command of the English language. Special consideration will be given to applicants who can demonstrate their English ability in the following ways:

1. being of a nationality where English is the first language;

2. having studied at university level in English as shown on the transcript uploaded in the Online Application form;

3. having studied English at school (e.g., GCSE, A-Level, International Baccalaureate…) and achieved good grades;

4. having taken an approved English Language test and met the following standards: IELTS – 6.5; TOEFL (Internet based) – 100 points; TOEFL (Computer based) – 250 points; TOEFL (Paper based) – 600 points; Cambridge Advanced English (CAE) – Pass; Cambridge Proficiency in English (CPE) – Pass.

Outstanding undergraduate students (i.e. students who will not yet have a degree at the start of the Summer School) who are enrolled in a university course with a strong China focus may also apply, provided that they have completed at least one year of course.

auditors

In order to render the TOChina Summer School at least temporarily accessible to students and professionals who are unable to attend the entire duration of the course (2 weeks), a maximum of 5 auditors will be admitted for each session.

Anyone can apply to audit one or more sessions. Unsuccessful Summer School applicants too may re-apply as auditors. There is no restriction on the number of sessions a single auditor may attend. The cost for attending each session as auditors is EUR 100.00. Attendance for the whole day (i.e. both morning and afternoon sessions in the same day) costs EUR 150.00.

Those wishing to apply as auditors should send an email with their updated résumé or CV to the TOChina Program Manager (summerschool@tochina.it) indicating which session(s) they would like to attend (day, time, lecturer).

fees

Tuition fees depend on the status of the applicant, as shown by the following chart:

Applicant status

FEES

Students from University of Torino
enrolled in Bachelor or Master's Degree belonging to the Department of Culture, Politics and Society

Students from partner institutions
Beijing Foreign Studies University
China Foreign Affairs University
Guandong Foreign Studies University
Members and former members of M.S.O.I.-UNYA Italy (Under-35)
Peking University
ThinkIN China Registered Followers
Tongji University
Università degli Studi di Napoli "L'Orientale"
Università di Roma Tre
Zhejiang University

EUR 690.00

All other students

EUR 790.00

Professionals

EUR 1,200.00

These amounts cover tuition and working materials, and must be paid in full by all admitted participants ahead of joining the program.

Selections of participants from specific partner institutions (China Foreign Affairs University, Università di Napoli “L’Orientale”, Università di Roma Tre, Yenching Academy of Peking University) are regulated through ad-hoc agreements with such institutions.

how to pay

The only accepted means of payment is a direct bank transfer for the above mentioned amounts, depending on the participant’s status. Bank transfer costs MUST be covered in full by the participants.

Here are the bank data:

Payee: Dipartimento di Culture, Politica e Società, Università di Torino IBAN: IT37A0306909217100000460184 BIC: BCITITMM

Bank name: Intesa Sanpaolo S.p.A. Bank address: Agenzia di Via Monte di Pietà, 32 – 10122 Torino IT

It is absolutely essential that the stated reason for payment is the following: “Name and Surname, TOChina”

scholarships

Students only may apply for one type of scholarship:

• FREETORINO: scholarships covering accommodation and, partially, meals. Those who are awarded a FREETORINO scholarship will be lodged at one of Torino’s student halls (or similar kind of accommodation). A single or double (depending on availability) en-suite room and one meal per day (dinner) will be provided. These scholarships may be applied for by all School participants who are currently students (i.e. undergraduates who will not have completed their China-related degree at the time of the School, or applicants who either are studying at the postgraduate level or will be doing so in the next academic year).

Applicants must not be resident in the Province of Torino (IT).

To be awarded a TOChina Summer School scholarship, candidates must:
• be currently enrolled in a university course, either as postgraduate or undergraduate students. The latter need to be enrolled in a university degree with a strong China focus;
• be residing outside the province of Torino;
• send relevant application documents: copy of CV, copy of university enrollment certificate, copy of most recent academic transcript;
• have paid their fees in full;
• have attended a minimum of 40 hours of lectures/seminars;
• have achieved at least a “pass” grade in the final exam.

If not all conditions are met, scholarship recipients will be asked to reimburse the expenses for accommodation and meals by Fall.

how to apply

Up to 75 participants will be admitted to the TOChina Summer School. Competition to secure a place in this program can be very intense: early application is strongly recommended.
Applications will be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis. No applications will be accepted beyond the deadline defined in the "Key Dates" section.

Applicants are requested to fill in the online application form.

Upon receiving candidates’ online application, the TOChina Program Manager will request supplementary documents (CV, enrollment letter, academic transcript, scanned copy of passport) via email, will check that compulsory requirements are met and pass their application package on to the Admissions Committee, which will be appointed by the Director of the Department of Culture, Politics and Society of the University of Torino, where the TOChina Hub is based.

Successful applicants receiving an offer must formally accept it and send proof of fees payment (direct bank transfer) via email to the TOChina Program Manager at summerschool@tochina.it by the set deadline (see the Key Dates section). Upon receiving these, the applicant will be officially enrolled in the program.

Applicants who should fail to send such confirmation and proof of fees payment by the set deadline will have their offer withdrawn. Any newly-available place will be offered to the highest-ranking applicants not selected in the first round.

Tuition fees range between EUR 690.00 and EUR 1200.00, depending on the type of applicant (student, professional…). Please see the Fees section of this website for further information. All successful applicants must pay their full fees.

Students who are awarded a FREETORINO scholarship will be warded half-board accommodation, which will not require any payment on their part and will be immediately available upon their arrival in Torino.

Applicants may be called for an interview before a final decision on their application is made.

All candidates will be notified of the outcome of their application at the earliest possible time.

Torino, Travel and Accommodation

Torino, the first capital city of united Italy in 1861, is an ancient place. Established by the Romans with a distinctive rectangular grid which mesmerizes visitors to this day, each moment in history has left its mark on the city, generating a legacy of culture, architecture and monuments. In 2012 the New York Times devoted to Torino one of its “36 hours in…” pieces.

The Torino 2006 Olympic Winter Games showcased a cosmopolitan city, still attached to its industrial tradition – the now global FCA car manufacture was founded here – while transforming into an Italian hub of technological and cultural innovation with a high quality of life. The UN System has its Staff College here (UNSSC), together with the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) and the International Training Centre of the International Labour Organization (ITC-ILO). UNESCO has recently approved the creation of a centre for research on world cultural heritage to be based in the baroque Venaria Reale palace, one of several world heritage sites in the area.

World-renowned Juventus football club – one of Torino’s glories – has its brand-new Stadium in town, alongside the world’s second-largest Egyptian antiques museum after Cairo (Museo Egizio), the Automobile Museum, the Cinema Museum (few know that in the early days cinema was being developed here), and the Mountain Museum (Museo Nazionale della Montagna), aptly located on Torino’s hills overlooking the Alps. Torino’s region – Piedmont (Piemonte) – means “at the feet of the mountains” and Europe’s most charming peaks are within a couple of hours drive.

Sampling the local cuisine is a cultural must in Torino. Its informal trattoria, refinded top-end restaurants and exotic ethnic eateries make the city one of the undisputed world capitals of taste, including for its illustrious wine scene, whether one is looking for whites (Gavi, Arneis, Moscato), superb reds (Dolcetto, Grignolino, Barbera, Nebbiolo, Barbaresco and Barolo), or even sparkling wines, which, through Martini & Rossi, gave rise to the tradition of Asti Spumante.

Seemingly closer to the Northern European no-nonsense, hard-working style than it is to Italy’s Mediterranean allure, Torino transforms at sunset: by aperitif time the streets are lit up and buzzing with people enjoying live jazz, exclusive dj sets, the local philharmonic orchestra performances, theatre and opera, but also shows, cabaret, literary cafes, street festivals and crazy notti bianche, all night non-stop events that animate the city streets until dawn.

GETTING TO KNOW TORINO AND ITS REGION

Torino Piemonte

arriving in town

By plane (Milan)By plane (Torino)

MOVING AROUND

Public Transport Car-sharing

Trenitalia (Train)Italo (Train)Motorway

MOVING AROUND

Public Transport Car-sharing Trenitalia (Train)Italo (Train)Motorway

Accommodation in Torino

As explained in the “Fees and Scholarships” section, TOChina staff will provide accommodation for the applicants who qualify for the Freetorino scholarship. All other participants will have to organize their stay in Torino independently. TOChina staff will do their best to advise successful applicants as they seek adequate accommodation in town.

The following links may be a useful first port-of-call.

Sportello CASA Service Collegio Universitario Einaudi Turismo Torino ReSocialClub

As for meals, all participants will be given a dossier during induction with a list of venues for all budgets, together with other useful tips.

For local transport information, best to log on to the GTT transport group. Please note that the venue of the Summer School – though located in the city centre – may not be within walking distance of your accommodation.

faqs and contacts

Please note that our FAQs are updated on a regular basis and the majority of enquiries tend to be answered there. The TOChina Program Manager may choose not to reply to queries that are clearly answered here.

Due to international time differences, we strongly advise you to contact the TOChina Program Manager by email. We answer email enquiries every day. Should you need to contact TOChina by telephone, please email the TOChina Program Manager to fix an appointment.

The email address for enquiries on the TOChina Summer School is
summerschool@tochina.it.

We will respond as soon as possible to your email enquiry. However, please be aware that during peak periods the office is very busy and there may be a turnaround time of approximately 48 hours.

The TOChina Hub Manager is Mr. Kavinda Navaratne. Upon appointment, arranged via email, he may be reached at:

Room 1D325, “LUIGI EINAUDI” CAMPUS, LUNGODORA SIENA 100/A TORINO – ITALY

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