Get 20M+ Full-Text Papers For Less Than $1.50/day. Start a 14-Day Trial for You or Your Team.

Learn More →

The historical development of sinology in two Canadian universities: York University and the University of Guelph

The historical development of sinology in two Canadian universities: York University and the... This paper gives a comparative analysis of the foundation of sinology in two Canadian universities. Despite not having diplomatic exchanges, Canada's new relationship with the People's Republic of China (PRC) ignited a China interest in the Canadian academe. Through York University and the University of Guelph (U of G)'s experiences, readers will learn the rewards and challenges that sinology brings to Canadian higher education.Design/methodology/approachThis paper offers an overview of the historical foundation of sinology in the Canadian academe. Who pushes through this process? What geopolitical developments triggered young and educated Canadians to learn about China? This paper assesses York and Guelph's process in introducing sinology by relying on university archival resources and personal interviews. Why was York University successful in its mission, which, in turn, made into a comprehensive East Asian Studies degree option in 1971? What obstacles did the U of G face that prohibited it from implementing China Studies successfully?FindingsAfter 1949, Canada took a friendlier relationship with the PRC than its neighbor in the south. As China–Canada relations unfolded, Canadian witnessed a dramatic state investment in higher education. The 1960s was a decade of unprecedented university expansion. In the process, sinology enjoyed its significant growth, and both York University and the U of G made their full use of this right timing. However, China Studies at the U of G did not take off. Besides its geolocation disadvantage, Guelph's top-down managerial style in the 1960s, which resulted in collegial disillusionment, was also a significant barrier to this program's success.Originality/valueBefore the Internet age, universities were the first venues for most Canadians to acquire their initial academic knowledge of China. After the Second World War, sinology became popular among students as China became one of the world's “Big Fives”. More Canadians became romanticized with Maoism while opposing America's containment policy. York and Guelph exemplified this trend in Canadian history. Contrary to popular belief, historian Jerome Chen did not establish York's China Studies. Likewise, an ex-US diplomat John Melby did not bring China into Guelph, sinology arrived due to individual scholastic initiatives. Visionaries saw envisioned China's importance in the future world community. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Asian Education and Development Studies Emerald Publishing

The historical development of sinology in two Canadian universities: York University and the University of Guelph

Lan, Kenneth
Asian Education and Development Studies , Volume 12 (1): 11 – Jan 2, 2023
Download PDF
11 pages

Loading next page...
 
/lp/emerald-publishing/the-historical-development-of-sinology-in-two-canadian-universities-2I9M4a6iWV
Publisher
Emerald Publishing
Copyright
© Emerald Publishing Limited
ISSN
2046-3162
DOI
10.1108/aeds-02-2021-0040
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

This paper gives a comparative analysis of the foundation of sinology in two Canadian universities. Despite not having diplomatic exchanges, Canada's new relationship with the People's Republic of China (PRC) ignited a China interest in the Canadian academe. Through York University and the University of Guelph (U of G)'s experiences, readers will learn the rewards and challenges that sinology brings to Canadian higher education.Design/methodology/approachThis paper offers an overview of the historical foundation of sinology in the Canadian academe. Who pushes through this process? What geopolitical developments triggered young and educated Canadians to learn about China? This paper assesses York and Guelph's process in introducing sinology by relying on university archival resources and personal interviews. Why was York University successful in its mission, which, in turn, made into a comprehensive East Asian Studies degree option in 1971? What obstacles did the U of G face that prohibited it from implementing China Studies successfully?FindingsAfter 1949, Canada took a friendlier relationship with the PRC than its neighbor in the south. As China–Canada relations unfolded, Canadian witnessed a dramatic state investment in higher education. The 1960s was a decade of unprecedented university expansion. In the process, sinology enjoyed its significant growth, and both York University and the U of G made their full use of this right timing. However, China Studies at the U of G did not take off. Besides its geolocation disadvantage, Guelph's top-down managerial style in the 1960s, which resulted in collegial disillusionment, was also a significant barrier to this program's success.Originality/valueBefore the Internet age, universities were the first venues for most Canadians to acquire their initial academic knowledge of China. After the Second World War, sinology became popular among students as China became one of the world's “Big Fives”. More Canadians became romanticized with Maoism while opposing America's containment policy. York and Guelph exemplified this trend in Canadian history. Contrary to popular belief, historian Jerome Chen did not establish York's China Studies. Likewise, an ex-US diplomat John Melby did not bring China into Guelph, sinology arrived due to individual scholastic initiatives. Visionaries saw envisioned China's importance in the future world community.

Journal

Asian Education and Development Studies – Emerald Publishing

Published: Jan 2, 2023

Keywords: Education; East Asian studies; Canada–China relations; Jerome Chen; John Melby

References

  • UW hosts lecture by Reverend Herbert Gowen on May 11, 1909, to inaugurate new department of oriental subjects
    Blecha, P.
  • Canadians more likely to support decreasing trade with China, survey finds
    Cousins, B.
  • Obituary: Jack Saywell: historian, Teacher, builder of York University
    Martin, S.
  • Mighty Minds Coast to Coast: McGill alumni who are university presidents tell us their fables and foibles
  • American students' Love affair with China Cools as political tensions rise
    Qi, L.
  • History of the geography department
    Rannie, B.
  • The questions Canada's own China watcher get
    Schreiner, J.
  • Escalating Huawei Feud, China indicts two Canadians in spying case
    Shih, G.
  • 7 in 10 Canadians blame China for COVID-19 pandemic but reject the term ‘Chinese Virus’ – poll
    Shih, G.