American
Studies Center
Peking University

home
introduction
objectives
personnel
facilities
activities
AS connections
donors
contact us

  

The Purpose of
the ASC
jump

Communication . Comprehension . Cooperation

The primary purpose of the American Studies Center at Peking University is to promote understanding of the United States through teaching, research, and policy outreach, using an interdisciplinary approach. The university envisions the center to be:

  • An educational facility that will nurture the next generation of scholars in China through exchanges, fellowships, research opportunities and course offerings and, ultimately, degree programs that concentrate on the U.S. at the undergraduate, graduate and post-graduate levels
  • A retreat where people engaged in intercultural interpretation and exchange -- leading scholars, journalists, and other professionals from China, the U.S. and other countries -- can gather to discuss U.S. society and U.S.-China relations.
  • A laboratory where academicians and practitioners can integrate scholarly and applied experience.
  • A resource that the Chinese policy community can tap for policy research and studies in areas relevant to contemporary Sino-American affairs.

A secondary but important purpose is to strengthen American Studies as an academic discipline in China. The majority of the American Studies programs in China are primarily dedicated to the study of U.S.-China relations as a diplomatic, commercial, and strategic affair. The ASC intends to add emphasis in the humanities and arts as well as history, law, and the social sciences, broadly conceived.

In short, through the ASC Peking University hopes to revitalize and refine American Studies in its Chinese context. The ASC will encourage understanding of American cultures and Sino-American relations to serve the university, its alumni and alumnae, and leaders of both nations.


PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

EDUCATION
In order to enhance the development of American Studies in China and to foster the integration of academic and practical experience with the U.S. the Center:

  • Maintains a reference library that serves students and faculty as well as visitors to the university.
  • Sponsors lectures, scholarly conferences, and public forums that advance understanding of the U.S. and Sino-American relations.
  • Develops interdisciplinary curriculum focusing on the United States.

OUTREACH
In order to promote international exchange, the Center establishes links with American universities in the following areas:

  • Research Fellow exchanges, enabling American studies scholars from Peking University to spend a semester or an academic year in an American university, while counterparts from the American university who specialize in Chinese or Asian topics spend time studying at Peking University.
  • Opportunities for affiliates of Peking University's program in American studies to enroll in M.A. and Ph.D programs in American Studies at an American university.
  • Joint research programs on issues of mutual interest.
  • Faculty exchanges to enhance pedagogical and professional development.
  • Opportunities for advanced American Studies Ph.D. students from U.S. universities to spend a semester or two teaching at Peking University, thereby enhancing American studies at home and knowledge of Chinese perspectives abroad.