Wei Zhai

Wei Zhai

Asst. Prof. @UTSA

Teaching

GCAP 3026 Developing Interdisciplinary Field Studies for Environmental Issues

Undergraduate Course, Hong Kong Baptist University, 2022

This is an Experiential-learning course. This course provides experiential learning opportunities for students to apply their knowledge and skills to tackle complex real-life problems via developing and organising field studies. Students will identify environmental or social issues for their field studies, in which they can engage the communities to obtain first-hand materials and feedback for their investigating issues. Students will have the opportunities to apply their interdisciplinary knowledge for designing a field trip study to investigate/research these issues.

GEOG4086 Urban and Environmental Planning

Undergraduate Course, Hong Kong Baptist University, 2022

This course introduces students to the field of urban planning. Firstly, this course approaches urban planning by historical analysis. We, therefore, first, study how cities across the world grew and developed since the industrial revolution. Based on this preliminary understanding, we proceed to take stock of the various theories built to understand urban planning practices. Secondly, this course touches upon the urban problems facing urban planners, such as gentrification, urban decline, congestion, etc. The third part explores the basic ethical, legal, scientific, and economic principles that underlie environmental planning. Planning strategies are examined as a vehicle for understanding the intent and scope of current environmental policy.

GEOG1005 Geography and the Contemporary World

Undergraduate Course, Hong Kong Baptist University, 2021

The course deals with the complex physical and cultural realities of the world. It adopts a topical approach, encompassing major issues in the contemporary world and studies these issues from a geographical perspective. It is designed in a manner that helps students to understand the varied and complex environmental interactions of the Earth. The course begins with an introduction to geography as a discipline and expands student’s geographical awareness by introducing basic geographical concepts and ideas. It then focuses on how people interact with natural and man-made environments at different geographical scales. It also attempts to look at the relationship between modern technology and the geography of everyday life.