The first objective of the required Deep Dive course is to provide students with a broad understanding of China through introductory lectures and cultural excursions. Students will then have the opportunity to explore economic, political, and social topics more deeply by visiting companies, government agencies, and cultural sites during an intensive week-long field trip to a particular region. Some Deep Dive field trips focus on business development and technology, visiting prominent state-owned and private companies. Other Deep Dive field trips focus on social development, visiting rural areas, community centers, schools and nursing homes. Students also have the opportunity to meet with local government officials in each city to discuss business and social development -related issues. Faculty join each of the Deep Dives in order to contextualize what the students are seeing and experiencing, to lead discussion sessions, and to help connect the visits to courses taught in the program.