Teaching

I come from China, having been born into a family that has been entrenched in academia for six generations, both of my parents being emeritus professors at Ningxia University, China. I always heard all my elders reiterate this popular saying: “teaching others is teaching oneself”, which indicates the dynamic relationship between teaching and learning, as well as between teacher and student. Indeed, my educational philosophy strongly holds to the fact that although some students may learn faster than others, and some may have special skills, I feel the teacher should have a sense of respect and equality towards all students and be free of the air of superiority. I’ve always kept this in mind starting when my teaching career began, as I immediately entered my master program at Sichuan University, China, about nine years ago.
Over the years that I have gained experience as lecturer, instructor, teaching assistant, seminar facilitator and then supervisor, I have gradually developed my educational philosophy which has influenced my teaching strategies as follows:

1. Respect all the students as unique learners and teach them in accordance with their aptitude
   My perspective is that all learners, no matter the diversity of their backgrounds, are independent researchers; the instructors’ job is to point out the way, guiding the direction.
2. Stimulate mutual and equal thoughtful exchange among students, faculty, academia and industry, in both the eastern and western hemispheres
   Thoughtful exchange makes ideas alive because “the shining spark of truth, cometh forth only after the clash of differing opinions” (Abdu’l-Bahá). It also opens the peoples’ minds and makes them eager to respect what differing environments have to offer and establishes equal and fair relationships and networks.

My interdisciplinary educational background (architecture, landscape architecture, urban planning, urban design and social work) and eight years’ teaching experience orients my focus on the multi-dimensional influence of social, cultural, economic and environmental aspects on community sustainable development.

My areas of interest in teaching include: built environment’s influence on human well-being, as well as community social and cultural sustainable development planning and design. I am confident to teach almost all the courses offered for the Architecture, Urban Planning, Landscape Architecture and Urban Design Programs.

I have taught, co –taught, TAed or acted as a guest speaker for the following courses:

I. Architecture and Built Environment Fields:

Studio Sequence:

• Introduction to Architecture and Design
• Design Studio in Architecture
• Design Studio in Landscape Architecture
• Design Studio in Urban Planning/Design

Theory/Methods Courses:

• Urban Design Theory and Method
• Chinese and International Architectural History
• Chinese and International Urban Planning History
• Master Degree Thesis in Architecture and Urban Planning
• Advance Media in Architecture and Landscape Architecture
• Landscape Planning and Management
• Human Settlement Theory and Design

II. Social Work Field:

• Advanced Practicum Seminar
• Social Work Research Issues
• International Social Work
• Community Social Development and Community Based Research

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I am also qualified to teach the following courses:

• Qualitative and Quantitative Research Methods
• Planning for Disaster-Resilient Communities
• Environment and Urban Form

Students’ Project

Students’ Project

Students’ Project