معرفی
Dr. Scott Relyea serves as Associate Professor and Assistant Chair in the Department of History at Appalachian State University's College of Arts and Sciences. A specialist in Modern Chinese history, his research and teaching focus on political, social, and intellectual dynamics within China's southwest borderlands (Sichuan, Yunnan, Tibetan plateau), examining nationalism, state-building, and ethnic identity formation during the empire-to-nation-state transition.
His educational foundation includes:
- Ph.D. in History, University of Chicago
- MA in Chinese Studies, School of Oriental and African Studies (University of London)
- MA in International Affairs, George Washington University
- BS in Journalism, Northwestern University
Dr. Relyea's scholarship centers on borderland studies as critical to understanding modern China. His current book manuscript Gazing at the Tibetan Plateau analyzes how early twentieth century Kham borderlands shaped Sino-Tibetan relations and state consolidation. Parallel projects examine colonial influences on frontier policies and high-speed rail's historical relationship to China's urban-rural divide, using Sun Yat-sen's 1922 railway plan as analytical framework.
His publications in Cross-Currents, Modern Asian Studies, and Twentieth Century China demonstrate consistent focus on Kham region authority structures, monetary history, and Western conceptual frameworks in borderland contexts. While no specific awards are listed, his interdisciplinary approach bridges historical analysis with contemporary geopolitical discourse.
In pedagogy, Dr. Relyea implements active learning through textual/visual source engagement, guided by Xunzi's principle that 'only through action can a thing be truly learned.' His courses—including specialized offerings on Olympic ceremonies, student protest movements, and regional Chinese foods—foster perspective-taking and historical complexity awareness. Departmental leadership as Assistant Chair complements his scholarly contributions to borderland studies and Chinese historical scholarship.
