Assistant Professor of Chinese History
(Traditional to Ming/Qing and Early-Modern China)
The University of Alabama History Department

Some of the most interesting things in life can be learned from Kung Fu movies. There is a scene, for example, where Kwan Tak-hing teaches a challenger about virtue by writing a quote from Mencius in beautiful Chinese calligraphy while defeating him: "The benevolent man does not contend." His opponent was taught one of life's most important lessons while receiving a black eye and a tutorial in Confucian values. Studying China is like this: hours of sparring with recalcitrant Chinese texts, ancient and new, is worth the effort for the insight it provides. As Confucius says: "To study and review what you've learned - is this not delight?!"