This course is designed to give students an understanding of the origin and development of China studies from an interdisciplinary perspective. In general, it evaluates the state of research and substantive knowledge in the field of contemporary China studies. It also examines the works of such noted American China- watchers as Edgar Snow, John Fairbank, A Doak Barnett, Ezra Vogel, Lucian Pye, Andrew Walder, Harry Harding and Nicholas Lardy as well as the recent trends in China studies.