Abstract

• A seminar-based course: The compulsory GE core-text course “In Dialogue with Nature” (UGFN1000) is an intellectual expedition in the natural world. Students reflect on humans’ knowledge about nature and their relationship with it, and discuss and write on a wide spectrum of topics from the timeless, idealistic and conceptual ones to those which are timely, realistic and tangible.
• General education and real life: Since the full launch of the course in 2012-13, more emphasis has been put on the timeless, idealistic and conceptual topics such as science vs. religion, beauty of science, and mathematization of science. However, general education is not just about abstract and perennial issues but also responds to real life. We thus find it necessary to extend selected course content to the timely, realistic and tangible regime.
• A better world: To enrich students’ learning experience in such a globalized world whose sustainability is well thought of, this project aims to implement a list of learning activities, which are not about idealistic and conceptual topics but those which are closely related to experience, and, whenever possible, connected with the Sustainable Development Goals, to arouse students’ awareness of the need to build a better world.
• International collaboration between students: CUHK students, who come from different places and cultures, will enhance the discussions by bringing in multifarious perspectives. Moreover, opportunities to do collaborative work with students from another part of the world will help CUHK students broaden their horizon and develop teamwork skills in an international context.
• An international student “summit”: The aforementioned student collaboration will culminate in a student symposium where students from CUHK and the National University of Singapore (NUS) will present their work and exchange ideas. A keynote speaker (Prof. Frederick Rowe Davis, Purdue University) who will offer a workshop during the course will be invited to give feedback on students’ works.