Peking University, Nov.4, 2017: On the morning of November 2, the humanities faculty held a meeting regarding undergraduate interdisciplinary programs. Present at the meeting were PKU President Lin Jianhua, leaders of relevant functional sectors and projects, as well as teacher representatives. Li Silong, deputy director of the humanities faculty, hosted the meeting.
The meeting
President Lin pointed out that Peking University is propelling its reform of undergraduate education in two aspects. One is by fortifying professional education. PKU provides students with more choices—students are allowed to transfer to different majors in their college and to select classes from other departments, and several interdisciplinary programs have also been established. The other is by promoting liberal arts education, extending it from Yuanpei College to the whole university. Lin hoped to hear advice from teachers about PKU’s undergraduate education, exploring a future educational pattern which will be capable of meeting the needs of China.
Lin Jianhua making a speech
Li Silong introduced six interdisciplinary programs that PKU has established or is preparing for. He spoke in particular about the Classical Philology Program which was started eight years ago, and gave a detailed account about its principles, curriculum, internationalization, and its new contributions to the mentoring system. After that, reports from leaders of different programs were presented. Some programs are making advancements based on previous experiences, such as the Foreign Languages and History Major and the Ideology and Society Program. Others are in the pipeline, including the Historic Preservation Major and the Cognitive Linguistics Program. Chen Kanli, assistant professor from the Department of History, shared his feelings and opinions after participating in a joint program.
In the following free discussion session, Song Yayun, deputy dean of the Department of Chinese Language and Literature, emphasized the importance of reading classics and having small class sizes. Professor Wu Guowu from the Department of Chinese Language and Literature also added briefly about the current operation situation of the Classical Philology Program, expecting PKU to make full advantage of a comprehensive university and to cultivate forward-looking research talents.
Lin affirmed the achievements of the humanities faculty on interdisciplinary programs. He encouraged officials and scholars to have more discussions in face of challenges, and gradually strengthen and optimize PKU’s educational system and culture.
Written by: Wang Xi
Edited by: Fu Wenyun, Karen Xu
