Do you want to dress up as a “dragon” and tumble around,
Experience traditional Chinese folk culture firsthand?
Do you want to traverse through ancient corridors,
Learning mural painting from the people of the Tang Dynasty?
Do you want to come face-to-face with the masters, exploring more possibilities in life together with them?
Do you want to be “fully armed” to sing, recite, perform, engaging in dialogues with renowned actors through your voice?
…
At NPU, all of this can be realized!
Today, the editor will take you into eight fascinating and interesting treasure classrooms, opening up your perspective on attending classes~
1.“Dragon Dance Appreciation and Practice”
“Dragon Dance Appreciation and Practice” is a physical education course designed by the Martial Arts Teaching and Research Office of the Physical Education Department for undergraduate students across the university. The course focuses on the elements of form, technique, method, and emotion, showcasing the expression of emotions and skills during the dragon dance through variations in patterns and trajectories. It adopts a teaching approach that encourages communication and collaboration within groups, competition among different groups, connections with extracurricular associations, and direct participation in competitive events to facilitate student growth within an atmosphere of communication and striving. Dragon dancing not only improves students’ cardiovascular system, physical fitness, and basic physical form but also enhances their teamwork and exploration and innovation abilities. It fosters students’ patriotism and their sense of identification with the outstanding traditional Chinese culture.
Student Insights from the Classes
Cao Shude, a 2020 undergraduate student from the School of Aerospace Engineering:
“Taking the Dragon Dance course has improved both my physical coordination and mental focus. This course is not just a physical activity; it’s a whole new life experience.”
He Xinyi, a 2020 undergraduate student from the School of Automation:
"During the Dragon Dance, each person holds a section of the dragon and cooperates with each other to create a spectacular performance. In the process of running, lifting, jumping, and changing positions, I can feel the importance and sense of pride of being part of the dragon. This cultural experience continuously motivates me to strive for excellence in my future studies and life.
2.“Workshop on Mural Art”
The “Workshop on Mural Art” is a course offered to undergraduate students across the university, organized under the auspices of the Shaanxi Excellent Traditional Chinese Culture Heritage Base for “Traditional Mural Art in China.” The course falls under the category of limited elective art courses. It is led by renowned mural expert, researcher Wang Jianqi, from the Shaanxi History Museum. The course focuses on selected representative Tang Dynasty tomb murals unearthed in Shaanxi, guiding students to practice the ancient technique of copying and teaching mural painting skills and culture. This course plays an important role in enhancing students’ understanding of traditional culture, fostering their creativity, hands-on skills, and awareness of cultural heritage conservation.
Student Insights from the Classes
Shi Yunxiang, a 2019 undergraduate student from the School of Computer Science:
“The process of creating murals by hand has made me appreciate the difficulty of cultural heritage preservation and restoration work. In this course, I not only learned mural painting techniques but also gained an understanding of the aesthetic, history, and culture of the Tang Dynasty through relatable and engaging stories. The learning experience in this course feels more like a cultural exchange, engaging in conversations with history and ancient people.”
Zeng Zuoxin, a 2018 undergraduate student from the School of Education and Experiments:
"Chinese traditional culture is profound and extensive. The mural course has made me realize even more that we need to leverage our strengths to become guardians and inheritors of Chinese culture.
3.“Alumni Education Course”
The “Alumni Education Course” is jointly organized by the Party Committee’s Propaganda Department, the School of Aerospace Engineering, the Alumni Association, and the Education Foundation. It invites outstanding alumni, including Chief Engineers and Deputy Chief Engineers of major national projects, to give ideological and political education lectures to students. Through sharing their personal experiences, growth stories, and struggles, the course aims to cultivate students’ patriotism, inspire them to integrate their personal ideals and beliefs with national development and guide them to forge ahead with determination, cultivate excellent skills, and improve moral character.
Student Insights from the Classes
Lu Xianche, a 2022 undergraduate student from the School of Aerospace:
“This course has allowed me to deeply experience the profound patriotic sentiments of the chief engineers. Their selfless dedication and spirit of scaling technological heights inspire our generation of young people. As a university student, I want to further enhance my academic level, strive for the aerospace dreams of our country, and make due contributions to the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.”
He Haolin, a 2021 undergraduate student from the School of Mathematics and Statistics:
"Having the opportunity to listen to outstanding alumni, such as the chief engineers and deputy chief engineers of important national projects, as they share their experiences and struggles in their journey toward success, and engaging in face-to-face communication with them, fills me with immense pride. We must remain steadfast in our ideals and beliefs, pursue progress, and be courageous in our endeavors. Let us become outstanding youth who possess lofty aspirations, high moral standards, great talents, and the ability to shoulder significant responsibilities.
4.“Practical Experience of Fine Peking Opera”
“Practical Experience of Fine Peking Opera” is an art practice and experiential course offered to undergraduate students throughout the university. It is based on the collaborative establishment of the Peking Opera Traditional Cultural Education Base between our university and the Shaanxi Peking Opera Theater. Through a combination of theoretical and practical teaching, the course aims to enhance students’ recognition and understanding of Peking Opera, helping them gain a deeper understanding of the essence of traditional fine Peking Opera repertoire. It also aims to cultivate students’ appreciation and practical skills in the realm of elegant arts.
Student Insights from the Classes
Wang Xuzhen, a 2019 undergraduate student from the School of Public Policy and Management:
“This course has allowed me to deeply appreciate the charm of Chinese culture and understand the significance of Peking Opera throughout its long history. I have gained insights into why it is so popular. In the future, the ‘genes’ of Peking Opera that are embedded in my heart will never fade away.”
5.“We-Media Creation and Artistic Practice”
“We-Media Creation and Artistic Practice” is a course offered to undergraduate students across the university as part of the eight limited elective art courses. It mainly covers topics such as an overview of we-media, the history of media technology and artistic development, the process of self-media artistic creation, essential qualities for self-media practitioners, guidance for we-media artistic creation, and practical experience in we-media artistic creation. The course adopts a combination of theoretical teaching and practical exercises, presenting the content through demonstrations and examples. This enables students to not only grasp the theoretical aspects of we-media creation but also apply digital methods to create and artistically process media materials. The course aims to enhance students’ cultural literacy in media and foster their artistic expression and creativity.
Student Insights from the Classes
Chen Chong, a 2022 undergraduate student from the School of Life Sciences:
“Self-Media Creation and Artistic Practice” not only taught me many skills in self-media creation but also helped me express my viewpoints and insights through my works.”
Huang Zihan, a 2022 undergraduate student from the School of Automation:
"Being exposed to art is a meaningful experience. The teacher not only imparts theoretical knowledge but also guides us in practical exercises during class, allowing us to truly experience the combination of theory and practice.”
6.“Orienteering”
Orienteering is a sport where participants navigate through a predetermined area using a map, compass, or other navigation tools. They have to quickly reach various checkpoints within the designated area while overcoming obstacles along the way. The objective is to complete the tasks associated with each checkpoint and ultimately reach the finish line. The course “Orienteering” aims to improve students’ physical fitness, mental resilience, teamwork skills, and overall competence. It enables students to learn independent thinking and problem-solving abilities and fosters their comprehensive development in moral, intellectual, physical, aesthetic, and labor aspects through practical activities in the course.
Student Insights from the Classes
Wang Boyang, a 2021 undergraduate student from the School of Aerospace Engineering:
“Under the careful guidance of teacher Wang, I have experienced the charm of orienteering. During the practical sessions, we navigate between the campus buildings, using maps and compasses to discover hidden landmarks and complete checkpoint tasks. It has provided me with a firsthand experience of the beauty of nature and exercise.”
Ba Zeying, a 2021 undergraduate student from the School of Education Experimentation:
"Orienteering is a sport that combines physical and mental challenges. Every route planning and checkpoint finding enhances our individual abilities. Besides the exciting competitions, it also allows us to connect with nature and breathe in fresh air, creating a sense of contentment.”
7.“Comprehensive Field Practicum in Ecology”
“Comprehensive Field Practicum in Ecology” is a practical training course offered by the School of Ecology and Environment for both undergraduate and graduate students. This course integrates field practices with classroom teachings, employing a “learning by doing” approach to fully engage students’ interest in learning. The course covers topics such as plant identification, phenology observation, biodiversity monitoring, and conservation, encompassing both foundational and cutting-edge knowledge. Students are encouraged to independently select research topics, design research plans, and carry out practical work under the guidance of faculty members, fostering their innovative thinking. This course is offered during the spring semester and consists of 32 class hours, earning 2 credits. Associate Professor Jia Shihong serves as the course coordinator. Since its inception in 2022, the course has attracted more than 50 students.
Student Insights from the Classes
Wu Kejin, a 2021 undergraduate student from the School of Ecology and Environment:
“For the first time, I was able to identify the species of a plant based on its leaf and branch characteristics. It was also my first time participating in the creation of a research plan, conducting field investigations, and creating sample plots. This course has given me many ‘firsts’ in life, and I can truly say that I have gained a lot!”
Xing Longyi, a 2021 graduate student from the School of Ecology and Environment:
“This course has had a twofold impact on me. On one hand, it has solidified my theoretical knowledge and broadened my understanding of the field of ecology. On the other hand, it has enhanced my abilities in independent observation, experimental design, critical thinking, problem-solving, and working in outdoor environments. This course has greatly contributed to the overall improvement of our comprehensive competence.”
8.“Innovative Practice of Small Sounding Rockets”
The course“Innovative Practice of Small Sounding Rockets” was first offered in the spring semester of 2020-2021 and has received widespread acclaim since its inception. Over 160 students have chosen to take this course, using it as an opportunity to embark on their own innovative explorations and practical experiences in the field of aerospace and beyond. The course emphasizes the cultivation of students’ autonomy and teamwork abilities.
Through various teaching modules, such as theoretical instruction on small-sounding rockets, virtual simulation exercises, and practical activities involving rocket design and fabrication, the course encourages students to actively identify and collaboratively solve problems. The development of projects serves as a guiding principle, driving students to discover issues independently and engage in collaborative research. The course places a significant emphasis on cultivating and enhancing students’ practical skills.
Student Insights from the Classes
Li Bingwen, a 2021 undergraduate student from the School of Aerospace Engineering:
“In the course, we had hands-on practical experience in making solid small rockets. It was not only engaging and enjoyable, but also a test and application of the knowledge we learned in textbooks!”
Source: NPU News
Translator: Jiang Meng
