Dr Anne Ford, from the University of Otago, has returned for a second time at Peking University to give lectures for the New Zealand History and Culture course. The undergraduate course is organized by the New Zealand Centre at Peking University and is held for one semester. The aim of the course is to provide an overview of New Zealand’s history to the students and to explore how New Zealanders identify themselves today in relation with the rest of the world. Dr Anne Ford has had previous experience of China, having been involved in the research of Neolithic/Bronze Age archaeology in Henan Province, and is currently completing research in Shaanxi Province.

As this is Dr Ford’s second time teaching the course at the university, her lectures are very well organised. They are in a historically chronological order to give the students a better sense of how the “Kiwi” identity has been shaped over the course of history. Dr Ford‘s lectures are very interactive with the students as they begin with group discussions of past lectures. This method is evidently effective as the students are able to express their thoughts and discuss the key topics of each lecture with Dr Ford and the interns of the New Zealand Centre. Furthermore, the practice of discussing such subjects is expected to be very helpful come exam time as these discussions allow students to review the main points of each lecture in class.

The New Zealand Centre and the Peking University students are very pleased and grateful to have Dr Ford back again and will be sure to make the most of her contributions to the course.

Dr Ford prepared provided her lecture as representative of a partner university. If you are from one of our partner institutions ranging across New Zealand universities and Government agencies, are passing through Beijing and feel interested in delivering a lecture or seminar to students on your research or specialty, please do get in touch with our liaison officers to discuss your idea.

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