Summer School Recruitment | Peking University ‘Theories and Methods of Cultural Heritage in the Built Environment: Watershed Civilisation’ Summer School Programme
To foster interaction and exchange among outstanding postgraduate students and young academics across national universities, a summer school programme entitled ‘Theories and Methods of Cultural Heritage in Urban and Rural Built Environments: Basin Civilisations’ is scheduled to take place from 10 to 21 July 2023. This course forms part of Peking University Graduate School's ‘Postgraduate Education Innovation Scheme’, hosted by the School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture at Peking University, with Professor Wang Fang serving as Programme Director.
Course Overview
The developmental trajectory, defining characteristics, and driving mechanisms of Chinese civilisation are intrinsically linked to the natural environment of its river basins. Examining the cultural evolution of these regions through the lens of basin-centred civilisation and environmental interaction provides a crucial entry point for elucidating the profound foundations and contemporary vitality of Chinese civilisation. National strategic priorities increasingly emphasise comprehensive watershed conservation and high-quality development of urban-rural systems. This is evident in policies and regulations enacted for regions such as the Yellow River Basin, Yangtze River Economic Belt, and Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. Watershed protection legislation, including the Yellow River Protection Law and Yangtze River Protection Law, underscores the imperative to strengthen environmental conservation while preserving and promoting distinctive regional cultures.
This course will focus on the scientific questions of ‘the origins, evolution, and human-land adaptation mechanisms of river basin civilisations.’ Aiming to deepen research on river basin human settlements and promote the sustainable development of human-land relations within these systems, it will explore the environmental contexts and evolving human-water relationship mechanisms underlying the origin, development, and continuity of Chinese civilisation—particularly its river basin manifestations. It will establish an interdisciplinary platform for studying river basin human settlements, drawing from ancient wisdom to innovate for the present, guiding participants to contemplate how to deepen their understanding of Chinese civilisation and better build a modern Chinese civilisation through research and practice. Classroom teaching combines lectures with participant seminars, actively stimulating independent research initiatives to comprehensively enhance participants' research capabilities and dialectical thinking skills.
Course History
2023 marks the third year of the summer school programme ‘Theories and Methods of Cultural Heritage in Built Urban and Rural Environments: River Basin Civilisations’. In 2021, the summer course enrolled 107 participants from 63 domestic and international universities or institutions, including the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Cambridge, the University of Hong Kong, and Tianjin University. In 2022, the programme enrolled 245 participants from 102 domestic and international institutions including the Technical University of Munich, National University of Singapore, and Tsinghua University. The course ranked among the top live streams in the humanities and social sciences category on Bilibili, and was featured in media outlets including the China Social Sciences News, Peking University's official website homepage, and Peking University's official Weibo account.
Faculty
This summer programme will feature distinguished scholars from fields including urban and rural planning, archaeology, historical geography, architecture, and heritage conservation as lead professors. They will present the latest developments and research findings within their respective disciplines. These professors have long conducted work centred on river basins, and their diverse disciplinary backgrounds reflect the interdisciplinary nature of this field, integrating humanities, sciences, and engineering.
The following experts have been invited to date (listed alphabetically by surname):
1. Professor Chen Honghai, Northwest University
2. Professor Chen Tongbin, China Academy of Architectural Design & Research
3. Professor Han Guohé, Zhengzhou University
4. Professor Han Jianye, Renmin University of China
5. Professor Lei Xingshan, Capital Normal University/Peking University
6. Professor Liu Jianguo, Institute of Archaeology, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences
7. Professor Qian Guoxiang, Institute of Archaeology, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences
8. Professor Tang Xiaofeng, Peking University
9. Professor Wang Guixiang, Tsinghua University
Course Director Professor Wang Fang will examine the built environment of urban and rural areas within the Yellow River basin, its downstream Huang-Huai-Hai Plain and canal regions, and the middle reaches of the Yangtze River basin. Focusing on the ‘local character and adaptability of the built environment,’ the course aims to deepen understanding of heritage value and developmental patterns, thereby advancing the transmission of cultural heritage values and promoting coordinated sustainable development in urban and rural areas.
Teaching Schedule
Dates: 10 July – 21 July
Each session spans half a day, delivered by an invited expert; the final session comprises a concluding presentation and thematic discussion.
Specific teaching periods require coordination with the lecturers, with the total number of sessions determined by the final roster of invited experts.
Teaching Format
In accordance with Peking University Summer School requirements, this programme will employ a blended online-offline teaching approach.
1) Lectures: Delivery of knowledge concerning built environment cultural heritage, covering regional variations, developmental trajectories, and key case studies within the field of built environment and cultural heritage studies. Integration of current domestic and international research trends to stimulate participants' enthusiasm and critical thinking within this domain.
2) Literature Review: Two academic papers will be assigned post-lecture each session. Participants will be guided to analyse research outcomes concerning watershed cultural heritage, deepening their understanding of contemporary challenges in built environment heritage within watershed contexts.
3) Classroom Discussions: Discussions will primarily centre on case studies of watersheds. Instructors will facilitate participants in articulating diverse perspectives on critical and complex issues within the field.
Course Requirements
1) Attendance rate of no less than 90% of sessions;
2) Independent completion of a final report (minimum 3,000 words) and course reflections (minimum 300 words) related to the course theme.
Target Participants
Applications are welcome from postgraduate students and early-career academics in urban and rural planning, archaeology, geography, architecture, landscape architecture, cultural heritage, and related disciplines. Enrolment is capped at 200 participants. Instruction will be delivered primarily through face-to-face lectures supplemented by online sessions (accessible only to accepted participants). Subject to the professor's consent, selected sessions may be simultaneously streamed on Bilibili (open to the public). Participants who attend all sessions and submit satisfactory final coursework will receive a Certificate of Completion for Peking University Graduate School Summer Courses.
Fees
All costs related to teaching staff and venue provision are covered by the course organisers. Participants are not required to pay any fees. However, participants are responsible for their own accommodation, meals, and travel expenses.
Application Procedure
1) Application Period: From now until 18:00 on 2 July 2023
2) Application Method:
- Scan the questionnaire QR code to complete the application form;
- Download the student application form via the ‘Read More’ link at the end of this notice,fill it out completely, and send it to ual_lywm2023@163.com with the email subject line formatted as ‘Name-University (or Organisation)-Summer School Application’;
3) Admission Notification: Provisionally accepted applicants will be notified personally by telephone or email by 6 July 2023. Applicants not receiving notification by this date are deemed unsuccessful and will not be contacted separately.
Administrative Requirements
1) All information provided by applicants must be truthful and valid. Should any false information be discovered, the organising body reserves the right to revoke the applicant's study eligibility, course certificates, and other related entitlements.
2) Participants must comply with Peking University's relevant regulations and adhere to all arrangements pertaining to this Summer School.
We look forward to your participation!
Contributed by: Sino-German Cooperation Group on Urbanisation and Localism
Edited by: Zhu Liangliang
