About the Book
An indispensable resource for specialists and students in Chinese studies.
Twenty-one high-quality introductions to major subfields as they have evolved in Chinese studies over the past three decades.
A vital resource for non-Asia specialists in the fields of history, literature, music, economics, sociology, and art looking for a comparative or world-historical perspective on particular questions, including the nature of early modernity, the development of science, or recent trends in the study of early and medieval arts and letters.
Book Reviews
"Chinese studies in North America has expanded so rapidly during the last half century that hardly anyone can keep up with the literature in more than one or two fields. That is what makes these essays so valuable. They give a quick explanation of what has been happening and highlight important studies. We are indebted to the authors for sharing their insights in such a handy format." 
                                                                                              Patricia Ebrey, University of Washington
"A valuable starting point for students seeking to understand the evolution of English-language scholarship on Chinese history." 
                                                                                              Madeleine Zelin, Columbia University
"This volume will be of great value not just to graduate students working in Chinese studies but also to established China scholars and those seeking comparative perspective. Today's researchers are intellectually indebted to the pioneers in their fields and this volume gives credit to those on whose shoulders today's China scholars stand—whether in economics, the development of science, music, or history. It will be of great help to contemporary scholars wishing to place their research questions into the broader context." 
                                                                                            Maggie Maurer-Fazio, Bates College
Contents
Acknowledgments / vi
Haihui Zhang
Foreword / vii
Gail Hershatter
History: Early China / 1
Paul R. Goldin
History and Society of Early Medieval China / 11
Cynthia L. Chennault and Scott Pearce
Song Studies / 23
Hilde De Weerdt
Yuan Studies in North America: Historical Overview, Contributions,
and Current Trends / 54
Bettine Birge
Ming History: Three Hundred Years of History Still Searching for Recognition / 79
Martin J. Heijdra
Qing Historical Studies / 99
Evelyn S. Rawski
The Field of Qing Legal History / 113
Matthew H. Sommer
Science History, 1600–1900 / 133
Benjamin A. Elman
Social History and Rehistorizing the Great Divergence Debate in Qing and
World History / 148
Christopher Isett
Studies of China’s Economy / 174
Thomas G. Rawski
Social Science Research on Chinese Organizations in the English Literature: A Survey / 192
Xueguang Zhou and Wei Zhao
Chinese Social Stratification and Social Mobility / 232
Yanjie Bian
Studying Chinese Politics: Farewell to Revolution? / 264
Elizabeth J. Perry
Literature: Early China / 292
Martin Kern
Song, Jin, and Yuan Dynasties Literature / 317
Ronald Egan
Ming and Qing Literature / 330
Wilt L. Idema
US Scholarship on Modern Chinese Literature / 344
Edward M. Gunn
Studies of Modern Chinese Literature / 377
Ban Wang
Developments in the Study of Chinese Linguistics during the Last Three Decades / 390
Victor H. Mair
Chinese Music: Graduate Training, Resources, and Publication / 422
Bell Yung
Art History: Comparative Methodology, Pragmatism, and the Seeds of Doubt / 455
Cary Y. Liu
Appendix: English/Chinese Comparison Table for Names of Chinese Studies Scholars
with a North American Focus / 467