Friends World Program of Long Island University

Faculty & Staff

Academic Director - Zhan Tianxiang 詹天祥

Professor Zhan Tianxiang joined the Friends World community soon after the Center moved to Hangzhou in 1989. Professor Zhan first began his employment with us as an adjunct lecturer and in 1991 he became a formal Faculty Adviser and taught courses on traditional Chinese philosophy, the city of Hangzhou as a text for understanding traditional Chinese culture and history, and an engaging seminar on the legacy of Chairman Mao during the Chinese Revolution and the Cultural Revolution, landmark periods in modern Chinese history that he experienced firsthand.

As a dedicated member of our host university in China for the last forty years, Professor Zhan graduated in 1966 with a B.A. from then Hangzhou University, just prior to the onset of the Cultural Revolution, at which time he was sent to the countryside to work as a high school teacher in the mountains for over a decade. When he returned to Hangzhou soon after the revolution, he resumed his graduate work at the newly reopened university, and in 1982 received his M.A. in History. He immediately began employment at his alma mater, first as a lecturer and then in 1990 as an associate professor. Professor Zhan spent a one-year stint as a visiting scholar at Indiana University in 1984. He has served for twelve years as the Deputy Director of the Zhejiang Provincial History Association (1988-2000) and as board member of the National Board of Ancient World History since 1998 as one of only five professors representing Eastern China. Since 2000, Professor Zhan has brought his expertise to the United States, where he teaches courses on Chinese history and culture at Portland State University every summer.

Last updated on Apr 08, 2010

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