Fifteenth Global Studies Conference

Abstract

Citing the cases of Ping-ti Ho, Kwang-chih Chang and Hung Wu, this thesis explores the embodiment of nationalistic sentiment in the research approach of Chinese American historians, and analyzes the underlying reasons for the patterns revealed. Born in China and educated in America at different times, the three historians all chose to enter the field of Chinese history for lifelong career, and have established themselves internationally by critically utilizing western theories and methods of social sciences, while seeking a new understanding of Chinese history, and bridging China and the West through academic endeavor, which demonstrate traditional Chinese scholars’ love of their homeland and deeply ingrained sense of obligation. This study finds that different experiences and backgrounds of the three historians lead to their differences in temperament, aspirations and codes of conduct, which determine how they incorporate nationalistic sentiments into academic research. This study argues that “Chinese complex, global perspective” is a desirable posture of ethnic Chinese scholars in winning respect in the international community; western scholars’ arrogance and bias tend intensify Chinese scholars’ nationalism; adhering to scientism and intellectualism, and discarding political ideology pose challenges to academics all over the world.