If you are an undergraduate degree-program student at Fudan University, interested in looking at social topics related to China’s population, health, and culture, you should consider enrolling in the English-taught Certified Program offered by the School of Social Development and Public Policy (SSDPP).
This Program aims to help students gain first-hand experiences and insights into the social issues inherent in China’s modernization and integration into the world. Upon completion of the Program, you will be awarded a certificate that will add a nice touch to your resumé. If you are an exchange student spending one or two semesters at Fudan, you can also take courses from this Program as optional modules to understand China’s issues in depths.
The courses in this Program are categorized into three directions: population, health, and culture. Watch the video below to get a glimpse of what you will gain through the English-Taught Certified Program.
Let’s take a look at the courses in each of the three directions.Population | Exploring China’s demographic transition and its impact
The population direction courses discuss the interconnection between demographic change and socioeconomic transformation, and explore socioeconomic consequences of population policies in China as well, providing students with diversified perspectives on China's demographic landscape.
Course: China’s population and development
“To what extent do you think the One-Child Policy has reduced the birth rate in China?” Prof. SHEN Ke, the instructor of the course, threw the class a probing question.
After a few seconds of silence, the room erupted with animated discussion as students eagerly voiced their opinions.
Beyond fostering discussion to facilitate learning, Shen employs a comparative analysis approach, offering students a multifaceted view of China’s demographic transition patterns and their socioeconomic consequences.
“I love this class in particular because Prof. Shen takes a comparative approach, which as an international relations major I really value”, said Alyssa Hackett from the U.S., majoring in international relations.
Health | How is China’s public health system constructed?
In the health direction, students will explore the social dimension of health, emphasizing how factors like class, gender, and ethnicity intersect within cultural contexts, focusing on medicalization and the influence of pharmaceutical industries on drug availability and pricing and other themes.
Course: Culture and Health
“This class enhances my comprehension of health and social culture in China,” said Asya Suleiman Shehe, a clinical medicine student from Tanzania. She also works as an intern at Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University, where she puts what she has learned in class into practice.
During her mid-term presentation, Asya conducted an insightful analysis of the experience of a 54-year-old female grappling with feelings of shame and social isolation upon receiving a diagnosis of cervical cancer, which was recognized as stigma in previous discussion they had in class. “Good job! Stigma related to woman-centered psychology is worthy of further exploration,” noted the course instructor Prof. MEI Xiao in feedback.
“Students will be equipped with conceptual tools so that they’ll be able to analyze structural issues and write critique on social inequalities and stigma related to certain illness.” According Mei, students who currently take this course come from different culture diversity as well as disciplinary backgrounds. Students who have completely different upbringing culture and different ideas on what is socially appropriate share their personal experiences, present their opinions, and have friendly debates.
Culture | Understanding religions in the Chinese context
Every aspect that concerns the historical and contemporary practices and policies related to Chinese religions is extensively explored in this direction. Students will also visit temples and churches in and around Shanghai.
Course: Religion in Chinese Society
“Religion in Chinese Society” aims to introduce students to the sociological study of religions and beliefs and to explain differing perspectives in understanding the significance role of Chinese religions in both ancient Chinese society and contemporary world.
Ancestry reverence is an fundamental aspect of Chinese people’s faith, which Francis Hsu, a Chinese-American anthropologist described as “under the ancestor’s shadow” (祖荫下).
When explaining how ancestry reverence is deeply ingrained in various aspects of life, the course instructor Prof. FAN Lizhu referred to “destiny”, known as “GuiSu”(归宿) in Chinese. In ancient times, a woman's destiny was intricately tied to marriage, symbolized by her eligibility to be interred inside the family cemetery upon marriage, indicating that she was under the shadow of ancestor. Otherwise, she was considered to be marginalized by society. Fan also mentioned the intertwined gender perspective and noted that idea has undergone significant changes since the implementation of the One-Child policy.
“We actually go deep into not only the policies but also the history and stories behind the religions and beliefs,” said Malcolm Daniel Shroyer, exchange student from the U.S., majoring in global studies.
City tours
The Program organizes tours to Shanghai landmarks and neighborhoods where students can talk to local people to have a deep understanding of the daily life of the Shanghainese as well as the efforts behind the rapid development of the city.
Program syllabus for this academic year (subject to change)
Feel free to contact SSDPP at facssdpp@fudan.edu.cn if you have further questions.
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Presented by Fudan University Media Center
Writer: DONG Kaiyan
Editor: LI Yijie, WANG Mengqi
Video: Calvin Chou