The Liberal Arts at Yenching University as We Know Them

In 2014, the Institute for Advanced Humanistic Studies of Peking UniversityPeking University and the Beijing Alumni Association of Yenching UniversityYenching University co-organized an international symposium on “Yenching University and the Tradition of Liberal Arts Education in Modern China.” Professors Dennis Ng and Peter Ng were invited to present a paper on: “Liberal Arts Educationliberal arts education at Yenching University, as We Know Them,” to explore the tradition of LAE as found at Yenching University in the Republican era. It was believed that China’s modern tradition of LAE came from Yenda, and the understanding and reviving of Yenda’s LAE tradition would enhance the current vision of Peking University, strengthen its international connections, and raise its international academic status. The special characteristics of LAE can be seen in three areas: development of inter-disciplinary curriculum design, teaching, and learning (including academic research), development of campus fellowship among faculty and students, and bi-lingual campus life (signifying an inter-cultural as well as an international environment). The present chapter is an updated version to enhance deeper understanding of the traditions of LAE at Yenda, with special reference to the development of inter-cultural/ inter-religious studies, the application of an inter-disciplinary approach, and a bi-lingual campus which brought up the significance of the interplay between Chinese and Western cultures.