GE1101 Chinese Cultural Heritage In Modern Perspective

Introduction

This course will bring students to the forefront of the subject of Chinese Cultural Heritage. It serves to bring home the importance of Chinese cultural heritage, its role in our collective understanding of the past, and its linkage to the present. The cultural roots of heritage will be stressed, in order that students can grasp well the meanings and roles of cultural heritage in the contemporary society. Students will be equipped with necessary knowledge and ability to understand, appreciate and contribute to protecting Chinese cultural heritage.

Blending fieldtrip, lecture, tutorial, class/online discussion and presentation, guest forum and course projects, this course employs a multi-disciplinary approach to explore cultural heritage and its interactive dynamics (e.g. conservation and reinvigoration) with modern China including Hong Kong and Macau. It covers both physical and intangible heritages, which will be elaborated in the fields of archaeology, folk arts and beliefs, historical buildings and architecture. Various types of heritage and related perspectives will be introduced and interpreted, to foster students with robust and critical attitudes towards cultural heritage issues and affairs.

Course Aims

1. Addresses appropriate identification, evaluation, interpretation, preservation, revitalization, and sustainable development of Chinese Cultural Heritage.
2. Students will comprehend the historical dimensions and cultural roots of heritage and its linkage to the present.
3. They will be equipped with necessary knowledge and ability to understand, appreciate and contribute to protecting Chinese cultural heritage, which is also a major part of Hong Kong’s cultural assets.
4. They will learn to foster robust and critical attitudes towards cultural heritage resources and affairs in contemporary society.
5. Students should learn to understand the social, political and cultural meanings of cultural heritage; should feel more confident and competent to make appropriate judgments when encountering real-life problems/issues such as conflicts between heritage protection and economic developments (for example, the case of the Clock Tower of Star Ferry Pier in Central, Hong Kong Island), urban planning and cultural heritage preservation, and so on.

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Enquiry: cah@cityu.edu.hk