Spring 2008 Courses
Please note: Official Yale College program and course information is found in Yale College Programs of Study, available on line at www.yale.edu/yalecollege/publications/ycps. Because of the varied disciplinary courses offered, East Asian Studies (EAS) and East Asian Languages and Literatures (EALL) credits do not automatically accrue to courses taught in the Peking University-Yale University Joint Program.
Spring 2008 Course Descriptions
Chinese Language:
CHNS 115b: "Elementary Modern Chinese"
CHNS 130b: "Intermediate Modern Chinese"
CHNS 150b: "Advanced Modern Chinese I"
All three courses are 1.5 credit.
Instructor: Xuan Ya Lecturer, International College for Chinese Language Studies, Peking University
The Chinese language program is supervised and coordinated by faculty in the Yale Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures and is led by Peking University faculty member Xuan Ya. Every Yale student will enroll in one Chinese language course; three levels will be offered.
Students at the fourth-year or higher level will study Chinese in no more than one advanced elective course at Peking University's International College for Chinese Language Studies; Yale credit may be awarded as an independent tutorial on early approval by the Resident Director and the Director of Undergraduate Studies in the Department of East Asian Languages & Literatures.
Students who are fluent in Chinese may be permitted to fulfill the Program's language requirement by auditing a course taught in Chinese at Peking University. This must be arranged in consultation with the Resident Director. No Yale credit will be awarded for auditing a course. However, a student may register for the course as YPKU 470 or 471 Direct Enrollment in Peking University courses (see below), with the approval of the instructor, resident director and the Program’s DUS.
CHNS 125: "Intensive Elementary Modern Chinese" (L1 & L2)
This is a 2 credit course.
Intended for students with no background in Chinese. An intensive immersion course covering CHNS 115a/b in one semester. Emphasis on spoken language and drills, pronunciation, grammatical analysis, conversation practice, and introduction to reading and writing Chinese characters.
ECON 120: "Introduction to Chinese Economy" (Group III, So)
Instructor: Dong Chen, Assistant Professor, Economics, Peking University
This course is designed to give students an overview of various aspects of the current Chinese economy, as well as the challenges that it faces. The topics to be covered include the cultural and political background of the Chinese economy, China's market transition, introduction of Chinese manufacturing and financial sectors, foreign trade, FDI, and the reform of SOEs. Study of China's economic policies and institutions will give students a practical understanding of business prospects in China and also offer insight into fundamental economic issues.
HSAR 350: "Chinese Art and the Modern World" (Group II, Hu)
Instructor: Lillian Lan-ying Tseng, Assistant Professor, History of Art, Yale University
A thematic introduction to Chinese art from the fifteenth century to the present, with special attention to its interaction with the world. Media range from architecture, painting, porcelain, print, and installations. Topics include Chinese gardens in the West, Chinese watercolors for international trade, from Realism to Socialistic Realism, and from ink play to Abstract Expressionism.
HSAR 481: "Art and Architecture of the Forbidden City in China" (Group II, Hu)
Instructor: Lillian Lan-ying Tseng, Assistant Professor, History of Art, Yale University
The seminar examines the Forbidden City from the Mongol Yuan dynasty to the present day. Special attention is given to the interaction between art and politics as revealed by the city planning, architecture and visual culture of this highly symbolic complex. Cases to study include the Altar to Heaven, the Yuanming Garden, the Tiananmen Square and the Palace Museum.
EENG 235a and 236b: "Special Projects, Beida-Yale Joint Research Center for Microelectronics and Nanotechnology" (Group IV)
Faculty-supervised individual or small-group projects with emphasis on laboratory experience, engineering design or tutorial study. Consult the DUS and faculty member to arrive at a one- to two-page prospectus for submission before the semester begins.
MCDB 140: "Key Concepts in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology" (Group IV, Sc)
The course will include weekly lectures to introduce fundamental principles guiding embryonic development and to discuss how such principles may apply to embryonic and adult stem cells.
The course will be geared towards students not majoring in biology or related areas. It does not intend to provide a comprehensive overview of embryonic development but will be taught in an issue-based manner, by illustrating the importance of key principles of developmental biology in understanding birth defects, mental retardation and other human diseases. The potential of using stem cells to treat disease and injury will also be discussed.
The course also intends to have occasional guest lectures by prominent developmental and stem cell biologist in China (or those visiting Beijing) for students to have a flavor of what science education is like in China.
MCBD 440b: “Seminar in Brain Development and Plasticity” (Group IV, Sc)
This course explores recent advances in our understanding of brain development and plasticity, including neuronal determination, axon guidance, synaptogenesis, and developmental plasticity.
It is currently taught at Yale and will accompany the course "Key Concepts in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology", with a focus on brain development and neural stem cells. It is intended for students majoring in biology, psychology or other related areas. Students will discuss and evaluate selected research papers related to the topics described above. The emphasis will be on critical thinking, by encouraging students to identify the nature of the problem and to evaluate the experimental approach as well as the authors’ interpretation of the results.
Prerequisites: MCDB 210, MCDB 320, or taking "Key Concepts in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology" simultaneously.
MCDB 470: "Tutorial, Peking-Yale Center for Plant Molecular Genetics and Agro-biotechnology" (Group IV)
Instructor: Xing Wang Deng, Professor of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, Yale University
Individual study for qualified students on the following research topics: plant development mechanism; plant biotechnology and functional genomics; plant defense mechanism and plant evolution; plant development and rice biotechnology; plant defense against virus; plant functional genomics; plant hormone action. The course must include one or more written examinations and/or a term paper. To register, the student must prepare a form, available in the office of the director of undergraduate studies, and a written plan of study with bibliography, approved by Professor Deng. The final paper is required before a grade is given. One term of this course fulfills the senior requirement if taken in the senior year.
MCDB 475: "Directed Research, Peking-Yale Center for Plant Molecular Genetics and Agro-biotechnology" (Group IV)
Instructor: Xing Wang Deng, Professor of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, Yale University
Research projects under faculty supervision, ordinarily taken to fulfill the senior requirement. This course may be taken before the senior year, but it cannot substitute for other requirements. Students spend approximately ten hours per week in the laboratory and participate in monthly section meetings. At the beginning of the term the student must submit a written proposal of research approved by the Yale faculty sponsor and the instructor in charge of the course. A final research report is required before a grade is given. Research possibilities include: plant sex determination; plant biotechnology and functional genomics; plant defense mechanism and plant evolution; plant development and rice biotechnology; plant defense against virus; plant functional genomics; rice gene function and biotechnology; self-incompatibility mechanism and rice functional genomics; photosynthesis and proteomics; plant development mechanism; plant hormone action.
MCDB 475: "Directed Research Under the Supervision of Weimin Zhong" (Group IV)
Professor Zhong will sponsor and supervise one or two students to conduct research for approximately 10 hours a week in a laboratory at Peking University. The student is required to write a research proposal at the beginning of the semester and a final report summarizing the results of the research conducted.
Prerequisites: MCDB 200, MCDB 202, MCBD 205, or previous research experience.
MUSI 240b: "The Role of the Performer in the Musical Experience" (Group II, Hu)
Instructor: Michael Friedmann, Professor (Adjunct), Music Dept & School of Music, Yale University
This seminar develops understanding of varied models of the role of the performer in the composer-performer-audience trinity. CDs and DVDs are used to introduce concepts of interpretation, stylistic approaches associated with specific historical periods, the performer as intermediary for the composer's wishes, the performer using repertoire as a platform to introduce his/her personality. Beethoven's music provides the principal repertoire since it speaks to all of these issues in clearcut ways. Coursework will involve quizzes and short essay assignments demanding close listening to the recorded materials and grasp of concepts. Modest readings pertaining to historical performance models will be required.
MUSI 342b: "Analysis and Performance of Chamber Music" (Group II, Hu)
Instructor: Michael Friedmann, Professor (Adjunct), Music Dept & School of Music, Yale University
This course will be offered at the Central Conservatory. Accepted groups will work on one substantial work, but all students will analyze all the works studied in the class. Analytic techniques directly applicable to performance will be introduced and practiced in weekly assignments. Yale undergraduates who are advanced performers will be eligible for the class. The course will culminate in a chamber music recital.
Prerequisites: high level of instrumental performance and theory knowledge equivalent to Music 210 is required.
SOCY 140b: "Four Giants of the Modern World" (Group III, So)
Instructor: Deborah Davis, Professor, Sociology and East Asian Studies, Yale University
An introduction to sociology anchored in comparisons of the political-economies and social institutions of contemporary China, France, Japan, and the US. In spring 2008 the five empirical case studies that ground our cross-national comparisons are: financial returns on higher education, intergenerational social mobility, recent trends in divorce, care of the elderly, and health care financing. Course work features in-class policy debates and a choice between a final research paper or in-class exam. No prerequisites.
SOCY 166: "Method and Practice of Fieldwork" (Group III, So, WR)
Instructor: Deborah Davis, Professor, Sociology and East Asian Studies, Yale University
This seminar provides an introduction to theoretical and methodological issues in sociological fieldwork, focused on the intellectual and practical challenges of grounding theory through supervised field experiences and supplemented by critical reading of published research. The first half of the course focuses on developing skills to operationalize hypotheses into concrete research designs as well as developing strategies to address the ethical and practical issues of fieldwork . The second half provides hands-on experience in designing and implementing either an individual or group research project.
YPKU 471 Direct Enrollment in Peking University Courses
Students with very advanced Chinese language skills may enroll directly in at least one Peking University course with the permission of the instructor and the approval of the resident director and the Joint Program’s DUS. Should a student wish to petition for credit to the major, then she would also need to present a syllabus to the departmental DUS. Because students are expected to enroll in program courses, including one that fulfills the Chinese language requirement, requests to enroll in more than one Peking University course will be considered on a case by case basis.
