On November 3, 2015, the SIAS and the Shanghai Academy of Educational Sciences co-organized a lecture on the American education system as part of a project on “educational exchanges between Shanghai and the US.” Professor Kong Haili from Swarthmore College was invited to elaborate on the US approach to liberal arts education. The audience included people from both institutions.

A specialist in comparative literature, Professor Kong is currently serving as Section Head of the Chinese literature program at Swarthmore College. With years of educational experience, he has delved into the comparison of educational practices in the US and China. Influential among Western scholars, he is known for his studious commitment to modern Chinese literature and film, on which he’s written extensively throughout his career. 

Professor Kong detailed the characteristics of liberal arts education in the US, drawing on his experience of teaching in the US for more than 20 years. Along with light-hearted speech and vivid illustrations, he meticulously analyzed the school types, enrollment standards and school management practices in this stratum of US education. During the Q&A session after the lecture, participants exchanged ideas in a lively discussion.