A native of Charlotte, North Carolina USA, Dr. Haas began his study of China as an undergraduate student, when a freshman survey of Chinese history changed the course of his studies and career. He made his first trip to Beijing as a student at an intensive language program in the summer of 1999. After graduating from Georgetown University with a major in History and a minor in Chinese, he returned to Beijing to continue his language study at the Inter-University Program (IUP) for Chinese Language Studies during the 2002-2003 academic year. He received his M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of California, San Diego, where he studied Modern Chinese History under the guidance of Joseph W. Esherick and Paul G. Pickowicz. He has taught courses on East Asian civilization, modern Chinese history, Sino-American relations, Chinese images of the “West”, at Duke Study in China, Duke University, St. Mary’s College of Maryland, the University of California Education Abroad Program, and Peking University. Dr. Haas has managed study abroad programs in China for Duke University and the University of California Education Abroad program (UCEAP), UC’s system-wide study abroad organization serving all ten campuses. He has been the Resident Director of IUP for the last three years.
This course explores China’s attempt to adjust to the complex transformations in its economy, society, politics and intellectual life initiated during the early modern period and transfigured into crisis proportions by unchecked demographic growth. These challenges were heightened and made more acute by the often hostile encounter with first the West and then Japan through the end of World War II.
Students will be able to describe and assess the numerous evolutionary and revolutionary strategies for change during the period in China under discussion.
