The Liberal Arts Collegium
The Liberal Arts Collegium in China is a collaboration between Beijing's Keystone Academy and two tenured professors from Amherst College, one of America's premier liberal arts colleges. Taught entirely by distinguished faculty, the program employs small seminar-style classes that replicate the American elite university experience. Through selective admissions, students gain immersive exposure to authentic liberal arts education centered on two core courses: Introduction to Game Theory and Positive Psychology: Understanding the Mind-Body Connection.
Professor Kingston's game theory course requires no prior background, focusing on essential tools and real-world applications—from static and dynamic games to repeated games—teaching students to apply economic thinking to business competition, international negotiations, and social dilemmas. Professor Sanderson's positive psychology course explores mind-body connections through classic texts and independent research, advancing students from theory to practice. Capped at 30 students with dedicated office hours and one-on-one guidance, the program ensures deep engagement and intellectual exchange.
Both professors are nationally recognized scholars and teachers. Professor Catherine Sanderson, holder of the Poler Family Professorship in Psychology, is a Stanford-Princeton trained researcher funded by the NSF and NIH, named among The Princeton Review's 300 Most Popular Professors, and featured in major global media. Professor Chris Kingston, the Richard S. Volpert '56 Professor of Economics, is a leading scholar in institutional economics and economic history with numerous teaching awards and Princeton Review recognition. Beyond instruction, both professors share cutting-edge research methods and engage students in face-to-face dialogue, while Amherst's former Director of International Admissions provides professional college counseling guidance.
When is the program?
July 21 to July 31, 8:30AM-3:20PM
Whom does the program serve?
Current G9-12