Students embrace martial arts

A course on wushu, Chinese martial arts, and wuxia, fiction works about martial arts, has become one of the most popular electives at Zhuzhou-based College of Science and Technology Hunan University in Hunan Province, drawing over 1,000 students since it was launched in 2004.

Xia Weizhou, a 42-year-old instructor at the School of Mechanical, Electronic and Information Engineering who has been a wushu fan since childhood, teaches the class, which currently has 80 students and meets twice a week.

Xia told the Global Times that the curriculum is aimed at building more interest in wushu and wuxia, as they are an important component of traditional Chinese culture.

The curriculum is made up of two sections, one covering wars between 1912 and 1949 in China, and the other focusing on the various styles of wushu in wuxia fiction, such as kung fu in works by Louis Cha Leung-yung, better known by his pen name Jin Yong.

The final examination is carried out on Xia's Sina Blog, on which he posts topics and the students post answers. Xia said he took this creative approach because it demonstrates students' ability to communicate their knowledge and it also limits the chances of plagiarism.

Not just fighting

Xia said wushu is not only a fighting style but also an important component of traditional Chinese culture.

"Wushu embodies Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism. For example, wushu is part of the Six Arts [rites, music, archery, charioteering, calligraphy, mathematics] rooted in Confucian philosophy," explained Xia, adding that Confucius was skilled in martial arts.

Xia also pointed out that wuxia, which literally means "martial hero," communicates traditional Chinese virtues such as persistence, integrity, and credibility, which he believes are quite lacking in today's society.

"Wuxia inspires people to stand up in the face of injustice. It's not just college students who benefit from this spirit, but also the whole of society," said Xia.

In addition to offering the course, Xia founded a wushu association at the college, which has attracted around 100 student members, many of whom practice with him every day.

Members of the association performed at the opening ceremony of the 4th Zhuzhou Mass Sports Competition last November. Xia performed tai chi, and student members demonstrated changquan, a form of martial arts that uses large, extended, circular movements.

Xia's course has been warmly welcomed by many students at the school.

Easy fascination

Liu Qi, a senior majoring in English who took the class as a sophomore, told the Global Times that she was immediately attracted by the topic of the course. Liu said she was particularly pleased with Xia's teaching style, which she says extended beyond the actual text they work with, which most teachers rarely deviate from.

"He introduced us to the origins and development of wushu and discussed wuxia fiction with us," said Liu, adding that Xia also shared stories of his own experience learning wushu in Shanghai, which made the class more interesting.

"The class has given me a new perspective on wushu, namely that it is not mysterious and esoteric like I thought before," said Liu.

Liu noted that the roles of wushu and wuxia culture within Chinese society have been broadening over the years.

"Wushu is now a national sport that strengthens our bodies, and anyone who is brave and upright is wuxia," she said.

Chen Yijing, a senior majoring in financial management, told the Global Times that she was quite impressed by Xia's knowledge of wushu, adding that he emphasizes not only the beauty of the movements but also the meaning behind them.

"He explains how a movement benefits our health while practicing it in class," she said.

Chen said she has been learning wushu from Xia both in and out of the classroom since she was a sophomore, practicing each morning at 6:30. She said she will be sad to leave college next year.

"I may go back to my hometown, Hangzhou, after graduation, but I will work hard to spread our wushu culture as teacher Xia does," Chen said.