BEIJING, Aug. 13,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- As two of the world's largest
economies, the US and China hold a unique position on the
global stage. At the recent US
Sinologists Conference in China,
scholars gathered to discuss the evolving field of sinology. This
article explores the current state and future directions of
sinology in the US, examining how the field contributes to
fostering mutual understanding and cooperation. Through the
experiences and perspectives of contemporary US sinologists,
we delve into how US-China relations impact academic research and,
conversely, how sinological studies can promote greater
understanding and dialogue between the two nations. Despite
challenges, these scholars are committed to advancing academic and
cultural exchanges, which remain vital for bridging divides and
enhancing cooperation.
At a latest US Sinologists Conference held in Qingdao, East China's Shandong Province, more than 100 experts from
China and the US gathered to discuss the current situation of
sinology and Chinese studies. After reflecting on the unprecedented
challenges and opportunities facing
sinology, they recognized that the field now stands at a
critical juncture.
"The US and China are two of the most important nations in the
world, each of them with glorious cultural traditions,"
Bryan Van Norden, James Monroe Taylor chair in philosophy at
Vassar College, told the Global Times
during the conference held at the World Sinology Center in
Qingdao.
"The ancient Greek philosopher Socrates said the only real cause
of evil is ignorance. That's perhaps a little too idealistic, but
it's certainly true that much conflict and much hatred in the world
stems simply from ignorance and failure to understand others,"
Norden said, lamenting on the declining opportunities in the
US for China studies.
Keith Knapp, professor of History
at the Military College of South
Carolina, concurred with Norden's perspective, noting, "The
US and China are the two largest economies and the two most
powerful countries in the world. Many global issues require the
cooperation of these two countries.
"
A challenging path
Operating in more than 160 countries worldwide, the US
Department of State's Fulbright Program provides US students and
scholars the opportunity to study, teach, or conduct research
abroad, as well as brings international students and scholars to
the US. However, the US government suspended the Fulbright China
Program in 2020. According to the US Department of State-funded
"2023 Open Doors Report," only 211 US students studied in
China during the 2021-22 academic
year. Several experts at the conference stressed the importance of
allowing young scholars to visit China and see the country with
their own eyes.
Speaking from his personal experience, Tristan Brown, a historian of early modern China
and self-identified foodie, recalled that it was only after
visiting China for the first time that he realized, as a child in
the US, he had only been exposed to US-style Chinese food, which
isn't authentic Chinese cuisine. "But after coming to China, I
discovered that true Chinese cuisine is incredibly diverse, with
various regional styles or the Eight Great Culinary
Traditions."
John Osburg, associate professor
of Anthropology at the University of
Rochester, whose research focuses on contemporary Chinese
society, found studying contemporary China particularly
challenging.
"By the time you publish your research findings, they are often
already outdated, reflecting a China from five or 10 years ago,"
said Osburg, explaining why keeping research aligned with the
current state of Chinese society without actually visiting China is
quite difficult.
Osburg also emphasized the significance of having a platform for
exchanging ideas with Chinese scholars for US sinologists. However,
for him at the University of Rochester,
which has only a few professors specializing in China, this opportunity is limited.
The shortage of Chinese scholars at the University of Rochester is not an isolated issue.
Terry Kleeman, professor emeritus at
the University of Colorado Boulder,
pointed out that there has been less support for sinology programs
at universities. At the same time, the number of students wanting
to study in the field has also decreased. In contrast, the number
of students studying Japanese or Korean studies has increased
significantly. "The situation of sinology in the US is perhaps not
the most optimistic," he said.
After spending "17 unforgettable years" at the Brookings
Institution's John L. Thornton China
Center and one to two years of
consideration, Li Cheng, the former
director of the center, finally decided to accept a teaching
position at the University of Hong Kong
in 2023. Li said Washington had
become increasingly unfamiliar to him.
Brown suggested that the declining interest in humanities among
US students also poses a challenge to sinology's prospects.
"Compared to 20 years ago, when pursuing a major in history at a
top university like Harvard was more
accepted and graduates could still find jobs, today's students are
more practical and concerned about job prospects
post-graduation."
"Becoming a sinologist is a challenging path. It requires many
years of studying the Chinese language and Chinese history, which
are complex and not easy to master," he added. In addition to the
lack of available teaching positions and opportunities related to
sinology in the US, universities tend to favor candidates who
specialize in modern Chinese studies when hiring for Chinese
studies jobs. There are even more limited opportunities for
scholars specializing in ancient periods like the Tang (618-907) or
Song (960-1279) dynasties.
China fulfilling its part
Kleeman, who specializes in Chinese religion, particularly
Taoism, pointed out that there are very few English translations of
books on Taoism.
"We need to do more translations. However, it's not just about
understanding the Chinese language; you also need to understand
Taoist culture, which requires guidance from a teacher.
Unfortunately, in major universities in the US, there are few
people continuing to do this."
To Kleeman, the future of Taoist studies in the US looks
bleak.
"I have already retired, Steven
Bokenkamp is about to retire, and Kenneth Dean is in Singapore," he said. He expressed concern that
this will affect the cultivation of the next generation of
sinologists specializing in Taoism.
Despite these challenges, the field of sinology is not without
innovation and opportunities. The World Sinology Center is working
on digitizing the books in its library to share these resources
with sinologists around the world, including in the US, which will
surely benefit sinologists' research.
Following the conference, some Chinese scholars and US
sinologists attended a symposium at the center and engaged in an
in-depth discussion on addressing the severe challenge of the
declining number of sinology researchers in the US. They proposed
various cooperative mechanisms, including establishing sinology
centers in the US and promoting Chinese language and culture
education from the basic education level. Additionally, they
suggested implementing short-term study programs and credit
recognition mechanisms to encourage more US students to conduct
research in China, enhancing their
language skills and cultural literacy. There was also a call for
the introduction of more cross-cultural teaching models in higher
education, such as co-teaching by Chinese and US teachers.
Some sinologists have observed the growing need for an emphasis
on interdisciplinary studies. Grant
Rhode, a senior lecturer at the Pardee School of Global
Studies at Boston University, told the
Global Times that one cannot gain a more nuanced understanding of
China and China's role in the world "without looking in-depth at so
many different disciplines, whether it be economics and politics,
the history of diplomacy, even psychology and anthropology. The
cultural aspects are very important as well as the economic and
political aspects." He said this holistic approach is more crucial
than ever.
The future of past allies
"The exchange program in China
in 2007 really changed my life, leading me to study the Chinese
language and then Chinese history," Brown said, reflecting on where
it all started for him becoming a sinologist when he got an
opportunity to take part in an exchange program in a high school in
East China's Zhejiang Province. He
felt it was a shame that there seem to be fewer such exchange
programs between China and the US in recent years.
Luckily, in November 2023, Chinese
President Xi Jinping announced in San
Francisco that China was ready to invite 50,000 young
Americans to China on exchange and study programs over the next
five years. Some young US students have already begun visiting
China under this initiative.
"Not only did you invite us here, but you also
found ways to bring more students and graduate students. I think
China has done quite well in this regard. I hope the US can also
similarly welcome Chinese students back and make it easier for them
to return," said Judith Shapiro,
director of the MA program in Natural Resources and Sustainable
Development at American University. One
of the first Americans to live in China following the normalization of China-US
relations, Shapiro taught English at Hunan Teachers' College in
Changsha, Central China's Hunan Province.
Brown said that learning Chinese language and culture is a
lifelong process. He has always encouraged his students to see
China with their own eyes by visiting it, noting that if they take
more time to learn about China's history, their experience will be
even more rewarding.
"But I also tell them that they can never be fully prepared,
because China's culture and history are so rich, and there's always
something new going on here."
"I cannot change the
world, but I can make a small difference in my class. By
helping students understand some aspects of China's history or
culture, I find it to be very meaningful," said Brown.
The emphasis on cultural exchange and mutual understanding has
been echoed by many scholars. Norden said he was excited to meet
many scholars interested in both China and how the West studies
China. He added, "I've also been impressed with how many graduate
students are here and are learning about both Western studies of
China, but also trying to understand ways in which we try to promote more constructive
dialogue."
Norden hoped for an expansion in the field of sinology, but also
for "real appreciation by people, both ordinary people and scholars
in China and the US."
"We all recall that the US and China were allies in World War II
and can both take pride in defeating fascism around the world. I
look forward to a future in which the
United States and China are again allies. And I think part
of what is necessary for that is a greater investment in
understanding each other's culture. I
look forward to a future in which there is greater
understanding between the two cultures guided by scholarship and
government support on both sides of the Pacific," he said.
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SOURCE Global Times