Academics

The Brittney and Adam J. Levinson China and Asia-Pacific Studies (CAPS) program offers unparalleled opportunities for those interested in contemporary China and/or U.S.-China relations by providing a wide variety of courses, two off-campus options in Beijing, China and Washington, D.C., multiple tracks of Chinese language training, and high-quality internship opportunities in both the U.S. and China.

Explore CAPS Academics

CAPS Major CAPS Minor Courses Chinese Language Requirements Off-campus Semesters

Undergraduate program

The program offers a four-year undergraduate major to Cornell students in the College of Arts & Sciences, and a cross-college minor to all Cornell undergraduate students.

CAPS major

CAPS minor

On campus in Ithaca

CAPS students usually spend their freshman and sophomore years in Ithaca to

Fullfill general A & S college requirements
Start taking Chinese language courses
Take one of the four CAPS gateway courses.

Off-campus in Beijing and Washington, D.C.:

Beijing, China: CAPS students spend either the spring semester of their junior year or the fall semester of their senior year in Beijing at Peking University, China’s most distinguished institution of higher learning. In addition to Chinese language studies, the students will take two courses on Chinese history, politics, and foreign relations. In Beijing, students will hold internships with agencies comparable to those in Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C.: CAPS students have the option of spending the fall semester of their junior year in Washington, D.C., at Cornell in Washington (CIW). CIW is not required for the CAPS major but is highly recommended. In addition to Chinese language studies, students take a seminar on U.S.-China relations and a CIW/CAPS core course. Meanwhile, they will have China-related internships working in government agencies, embassies, media, business, law firms, NGOs, and other organizations.

Click here to read more about the off-campus semesters.

CAPS News

Reunion 2022 features host of A&S events

5/24/2022

A number of special events are planned in the College of Arts & Sciences to celebrate Reunion 2022.

The catastrophic success of China’s zero-COVID policy

5/24/2022

In this op-ed, Prof. Jeremy Wallace explains the pitfalls of China's approach to the pandemic.

'There is always more than one side to a story'

5/16/2022

Maggie Zhang Grobowski is a China & Asia-Pacific Studies & Government major.

Ten A&S faculty honored with endowed professorships

3/25/2022

These professorships continue the College’s priority to recognize faculty excellence and accomplishments.

More than $12M donated to support students in 24 hours

3/21/2022

On Cornell’s eighth Giving Day, held March 16, 15,905 alumni, students, faculty, staff, parents and friends from more than 80 countries made gifts totaling a record-breaking $12,268,629.