China’s Search for Its Liberal Arts and Sciences Model

Abstract

The liberal arts and sciences have become more important to China as it diversifies its higher education system, builds world-class universities, strengthens its knowledge economy, and takes a greater role in international higher education. Yet, there is increasing debate about how China’s indigenous cultural tradition should shape a distinct Chinese model of higher education. Against this backdrop, the chapter reviews selected aspects of liberal arts and sciences in China’s top-tier universities, Sino-foreign campuses, and universities in China’s Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The chapter argues that China’s challenge in popularizing liberal arts and sciences will hinge the extent to which it addresses rising domestic demands by different groups for higher education with growing aspirations of its universities to go global.