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Nonfiction Books
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Articles
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American Community Colleges:
The International Student's Guide by C.J. Shane American community colleges are a great choice for international students seeking higher education in the United States. This book guides students through the process of becoming a community college student, helps students to achieve academic and career goals, and saves students a lot of money! Topics covered are: • how community colleges fit into the U.S. system of higher education • the advantages of starting your American education at a community college • the steps you must go through to study at an American community college • key factors to consider when choosing an American community college such as transfer agreements • the process of applying to and gaining entrance into a community college • the process of applying for a U.S. visa including required forms • the forms needed when arriving in the U.S. and passing through U.S. customs • choosing classes at your community college and how to register for those classes • how to get help improving your English-language skills • basics about living in America, including housing, transportation, and medical care • American culture and how to deal with culture shock • profiles of seven American community colleges in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Massachusetts, Michigan, and Texas • commentary by international students currently studying at American community colleges Includes glossary of terms and index. Rope's End Publishing, 2017. Reviews: Super resource for international students who are interested in attending a community college in the U.S. The author explains the whole process of selecting a college, immigration requirements, enrollment, U.S. culture, as well a glossary of terms for students to use to better understand the processes of attending school in the U.S. as well as the educational system. The range of student comments is extremely helpful because different cultures have different perspectives and expectations. ~~Carol Highly recommended guide on community colleges for international students I purchased a kindle version of this book so that I can share it with my friend remotely. It’s a very helpful guide for international students who seek for higher education in the United States. It’s usually very difficult for international students to understand the concept of a community college. This book explains clearly how community college system works in the United States and how international students can transfer to earn their Bachelor’s Degrees easily with a much lower cost. It demonstrates many advantages and services community colleges have to offer to many international students. It’s a very helpful book and I highly recommend it. ~~WWY 
Voices of New China
by C.J. Shane In a series of interviews, Chinese young adults tell us in their own words about their lives, their values, their goals for the future, their daily joys and persistent challenges. They also tell us what they think of westerners and what they believe we need to know about China. Chapters by the author on Confucian values, recent Chinese history, and the typical life stages of the Chinese give meaningful context to their commentary. Chinese blue-collar workers, educated professionals, and university students are represented in these interviews which were conducted with adults between the ages of 18 and 35. Learn what life is like in China from the Chinese perspective. Order this book from Rope's End Publishing RopesEndPublishing.com, from Ingram, or from Amazon.com. Book Information Paperback, 8.5" x 5.5" x .5" 191 pages, perfect binding with title on spine Includes INDEX ISBN 978-0-9892216-1-0 cover by Roberta Murray, UncommonDepth.com © Rope's End Publishing, 2013 Available for Purchase here - Books 2 Read https://books2read.com/u/mvoGzl Reviews:
This book is a series of interviews with young Chinese people from various backgrounds, about themselves and their country. CJ Shane helps the reader understand the hopes, dreams, and beliefs of Chinese people. The book is a continuation of the work she did with her Yingwen Teach project, a cross-cultural education project that sent Americans to China, to teach English and learn about Chinese culture. The first third of the book is all about context. It is a brief overview of Chinese history, focusing mostly on the dramatic events of the 20th Century which still reverberate in the memories of the current generation. There is also a chapter which introduces the reader to the ways in which Chinese culture differs from Western culture. The book stresses the danger of assuming that "we are all basically the same", without examining the way history has shaped us. The rest of the book is a series of interviews with young people, aged between 18 - 35. Some are educated university students from relatively wealthy backgrounds. Some are poor workers who have only had a few years of primary school. Each interview teases out touching insights and shows a unique and intimate portrait of an individual, their opinions, their sense of humour, their wistful dreams. There are many beautiful moments. For example, when a young mother asks the interviewer to give her little son an English name, and is charmed with the resulting suggestion. Some moments are sad -- for example a young man who works for the government, but is a poet and philosopher at heart. He is one of the few who expresses quite outspoken against the Chinese government, but is torn between his dream of being a successful poet, and the reality of having to survive as a business man. Another interview reveals the struggle of a young woman who has to choose between pursuing her dream of studying further, or having a child. The interview seems to create a space for her to face the choice she has to make. Many bitter-sweet moments. I was struck by how many of those interviewed worried about the environmental problems that China faces today. People mention never seeing the blue sky, or stars. Or lament the cutting down of forests near their home. Voices of New China offers a glimpse of China as seen through the eyes of young Chinese people. An antidote to the version we see in Western media. ~~review by M.S. DuToit Excerpts from more reviews: ~~ ...the material provides a useful introduction to modern China. J.C. Martin, Arizona Daily Star, Dec. 1, 2013. ~~This is a terrific book for people who are traveling to China. It will help to humanize their travel experience in a way that a tour book and tour guide just can't do. Amazon reader review ~~This book is an excellent choice for anyone who would like real insight into the social context and the lives of ordinary people in modern China. Amazon reader review ~~This book is a must read for anyone who dreams about traveling to China or is having a business or private relationship with Chinese people. It explains a lot of things. Amazon reader review About the author: C.J. Shane is a former newspaper journalist, academic reference librarian, and ESL teacher. Voices of New China is her seventh book. It is based on her experiences living and teaching in the People's Republic of China. |
 Hot Nights in the City
Hot Nights in the City
(urban heat island effect) cover story for The Desert Leaf, May 2014 HERE> pages 36-39, 65. 
For a complete listing of my Zocalo articles click HERE>
For a sampling of articles: 
Art Review: Artistic Commemorations for the Dearly Departed. Zocalo, September 30, 2013 Here> Community Feature: GD2 Community Garden, September 6, 2013 Here> Science Feature: Africanized Bees, May 29, 2013 Here> Profile: Teaching Artist Carolyn King, November 12, 2012: Here> 
Book Anthologies C.J. Shane is editor/author of the following anthologies from Greenhaven Press. China (History of Nations series) 2003 The Chinese (Coming to America series). 2006 Great Medical Discoveries, 2004 The Italians (Coming to America series), 2005 Mao Zedong. 2003 The Mexicans (Coming to American series), 2004 
Announced April 30, 2016:
Sonoran Arts Network Editor/Publisher C.J. Shane has been honored with a First in Community Arts Criticism for the 2015 Arizona Press Club Awards. |