Xiamen University History · Issue 1

Author: Liu Zhao
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-03-01
Features: The main research directions of this discipline include: Archaeology and Museum Studies, Specialized History, Ancient Chinese History, Modern and Contemporary Chinese History, World History, and Historical Documentation Studies. There are currently 51 full-time faculty and researchers, including 33 professors, 35 with doctorates, 1 National Outstanding Young and Middle-aged Expert, 2 Outstanding Humanities and Social Sciences Talents of the Ministry of Education, and 2 Outstanding Experts of Fujian Province. There are 24 doctoral supervisors and 43 master's supervisors. Over 50 doctorates and over 70 master's degrees have been awarded in the past three years. As of the end of 2004, there were 83 doctoral students, 122 master's students, and 22 international students enrolled. Many of the graduates have become academic backbone members of various universities and research institutions, achieving remarkable results in the development of Chinese historical studies.
The traditional strengths of this discipline include: southeastern archaeology and ancient export porcelain studies in archaeology; specialized history focusing on Chinese social and economic history, Sino-foreign relations history, and the history of overseas Chinese and; ancient Chinese history studies on the Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties, Sui, Tang, Ming, and Qing dynasties; modern and contemporary Chinese history studies on Lin Zexu, the history of the modern Chinese customs, and the history of the central revolutionary base; and world history studies on Southeast Asian history.
The research on Chinese social and economic history adheres to a historical studies foundation, emphasizes folk documents and regional studies, and advocates the integration of economic history and social history. Its research characteristics are highly praised by peers both domestically and internationally. The studies on Sino-foreign relations history and the history of overseas Chinese and focus on the history of China's relations with Southeast Asia and European countries, the development history of overseas Chinese and, the evolution of the South China Sea territorial boundaries, and ethnic relations with neighboring countries. These have become a major center for academic research and policy studies in this field. The study of Taiwan history focuses on the social and economic history and cultural and historical origins of the Minnan-Taiwan region, demonstrating the intrinsic historical connections between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait, and conducting an in-depth critique of the separatist historical perspective of Taiwan. This has gained recognition from government departments and society.
In recent years, while inheriting traditional research fields, the discipline has actively recruited talent, tracked academic frontiers, and made new developments, fostering several new growth points in the discipline. These include: maritime archaeology in archaeology; specialized history focusing on maritime social and economic history, the history of Chinese finance, the history of enterprises, comparative studies on the development of Sino-foreign economies and urbanization, the social and cultural history of Southeast Asia, the study of ancestral hometowns, and the study of the South China Sea issue; ancient Chinese history studies on the Qin and Han dynasties, the intellectual and cultural history of the Wei and Jin periods, and the regional history of southeastern China; modern and contemporary Chinese history studies on the social and cultural history of modern society; world history studies on European and American history, the history of American cities, and international relations in the Asia-Pacific region; and historical documentation studies on ancient scriptology.
Additionally, the discipline has integrated its academic strengths to establish a doctoral program in maritime history, reflecting the academic advantages and characteristics of overseas Chinese, Taiwan, specialized, and maritime studies. This has generated positive responses in the field of historical studies.