China in Transition is a systematic and interdisciplinary survey of contemporary China, a revitalizing civilization-state continuously in search of modernity, sustainability and humanity in the process of nation building against the backdrop of globalization. By focusing on China’s transition during the Reform era in the recent four decades from a broader historical and global perspective, this course is intended to offer a close working knowledge of China’s transition in the realms of economy, governance/law, society/culture, and environment/health, with a focus on internal dynamics and practices within China. This course combines lectures with group discussions, and incorporates both research and field studies. Team work and independent research are both important components of the course. Students are encouraged to design field studies themselves, and to carry out team academic research projects in various regions of China.

In this course, all students travel to Zhejiang Province for a week-long study trip led by professors from different disciplines. By visiting historical and cultural sites as well as modern industrial parks, scholars learn about the transformation and development of Sichuan and Chongqing from perspectives such as history, architecture, religion, customs, and modern economic growth. During the field study trip, students not only deepen their understanding of ancient Chinese culture and history, but also experience traces of innovation and development in contemporary China.

The Topics in China Studies Lecture Series invites renowned scholars from China and abroad to deliver talks on issues related to China Studies, ranging across the social sciences and humanities. The course is question-oriented, and employs interdisciplinary knowledge and methodologies to spark meaningful discussions and academic dialogue.

All international Yenching Scholars enroll in Chinese language courses taught by faculty of the Peking University School of Chinese as a Second Language. Students attend small group classes according to their levels of Chinese. The course focuses on application of language knowledge, improving communicative competence across contexts, and developing reading and writing abilities. It also aims to help students improve their intercultural communication awareness and capabilities.

Academic Writing aims to develop students' writing skills and critical thinking required for producing academic papers and reports in the humanities and social sciences. The course enhances students' English writing proficiency and strengthens their research skills and academic literacy.

Critical Thinking and Academic Writing

Qualitative Research Method

Quantitative Reasoning

Chinese Buddhism: Scrolls, Society, and Soteriology

Chinese Classics and Thought: Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism

Chinese World Views

Critical Terms of Chinese Thoughts

Selected Readings from the Confucian Classics

China and the World Economy: a Macroeconomic Perspective

China's Economic Reform and Development

Economic Demography: A Chinese Perspective

ESG: Business, Policy, and Society

International Trade

Rural China Studies

The Economic Thinking of Chinese Entrepreneurs

Understanding Chinese Economic Governance

Chinese Frontier Societies: A Socio-historical Approach

Contemporary Chinese Society

Ethnographies of Modern Education: China and Beyond

Social Stratification and Mobility in China

The Legal Dynamics of Chinese Commerce and Society

Understanding Social Inequality: China and the world

Women in Contemporary China

China and International Law

Chinese Perspective on Global Migration

Chinese Politics in a Historical Perspective

Cultural Dimensions of China's Foreign Relations

Reforms in China: Theory and Policy

Retrospect and Prospect of International Development Cooperation in China

Theory and Practice of Chinese Foreign Policy

Art of China

Contemporary Chinese and American Fiction in Comparative Perspective

Guided Readings in the Classics of Ancient Chinese Literature

Reading Classical Chinese Literature

The Representation of Reality in Chinese Literature

Chinese Cultural Heritage Studies

Development of Chinese Civilization

Formation of Chinese Civilization

History of the Field: Sinology and China Studies from a Global Perspective

Modern Chinese History