Program overview
The Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection major, simply put, is about learning how to safeguard those invisible yet hand-me-down traditions—like folk tales, traditional crafts, festival rituals, opera and music. You'll study basic theories of intangible cultural heritage, laws and regulations, fieldwork methods, as well as practical skills like digital documentation and community engagement. Core courses include 'Introduction to Intangible Cultural Heritage', 'Folklore Studies', 'Cultural Heritage Protection Laws and Regulations', 'Fieldwork and Documentation', 'Traditional Crafts and Design', and 'Digital Preservation of Intangible Cultural Heritage'. Chinese universities have a unique advantage in this field because China boasts a wealth of intangible cultural heritage resources (such as Kunqu Opera, paper-cutting, and the Dragon Boat Festival), and many universities collaborate with local cultural departments to offer field research opportunities. This major is ideal for students who are passionate about traditional culture, enjoy interacting with people, and are willing to delve into rural areas and communities. If you want to learn some 'hardcore' knowledge while doing something meaningful, this major is a great fit.