The value of university free electives

In this episode of Round Table, Niu Honglin, Yushun, and Steve Hatherley discuss the role and value of public courses in Chinese universities. They define public courses, differentiating between mandatory and elective options, and explore the debate surrounding their quality, with some being considered "water classes" due to their diluted content. The conversation covers factors contributing to the perceived lack of quality, including teachers' focus on research over teaching and students' motivations for choosing easier courses to boost their GPAs. The panel also considers the benefits of free electives, such as providing mental breaks and opportunities for self-discovery, and highlights examples of engaging and enriching public courses in various universities. They further explore the potential for these courses to be offered online and discuss ways to balance the quality, benefits, and cost-effectiveness of public courses within the education system.