Professor Zheng Xunzuo, born in August 1958, is a native of Tianchang City, Anhui Province. In September 1979, he matriculated by examination in the Department of Chineseof Shandong University, majoring in Chinese Language and Literature.He graduated with a BA degreeIn July1983 and joined the staff of Shandong University in September of the same year. He has served on the staff and faculty of Shandong University since that time,first as a Graduate Teaching Assistant, then as Lecturer and Associate Professor, and currently, Professor.He also serves as a Thesis Advisor for MA students. In the past, Professor Zheng has served, in addition to his faculty position, also  asDirector of the Classical Literature Teaching and Research Office in the School of Literature at Shandong University, and as Associate Dean of the School of Literature.

Professor Zheng’s major research fields are: Literature in the Wei, Jin, and Southern and Northern dynasties periods, and the study of calligraphy.

Professor Zheng’s teaching experience includes teaching Chinese as a foreign language to foreign students for two yearsafter his graduation from Shandong University. He currently offers the courses: “Literature in the Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties and Intensive Reading of Representative Literary Works of the Period” (a Foundations Course), and “A Study of Poetry and Songs in the Wei and Jin Dynasties” (an elective) in the undergraduate curriculum of the School of Literature, as well as the Graduate level courses: “Special Topics of Ancient Chinese Poetry, Songs and Prose”, and “Research in the Literature of the Western Jin and EasternJin Dynasties”.

Professor Zheng has authored dozens of scholarly papers and articles published in academic journals, periodicals and newspapers such as Xinhua Digest, Wen-Shi-Zhe (A Journal of Literature, History and Philosophy), Academic Journal of Shandong University, A Journal of Discourses From Taishan, Shandong Journal of Social Sciences, Chinese Calligraphy,Calligraphy, People's Daily, Guangming Daily, and Wenyibao.

Professor Zheng’s major published works include:

· The Book of Meng Zi (Mencius): A Contemporary Translation, (sole author);

· The Book of Meng Zi (Mencius): A Translation with Annotations and Commentaries, (leading author and editor);

· A History of Literature in the Qin, Han, Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties, (sole author);

· The Spirit of Chinese Literature (The Wei Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties volume), (primary author);

· Zuo Si and Zuo Fen (principal author);

· Reading China (Volume II), (sole author);

· The Great Wave of Cultural Development and Change Over the Last Hundred Years, (volume chief editor);

· A Complete Compilation of Essential Works in Travel Literature Over the Ages, (one of the chief editors);

· An Appreciation and Critical Assessment of Handwritten Notes and Letters of Notables in the Qing Dynasty, (sole author);

· Selected Works of Ancient Chinese Literature, (participating editor);

· History of Chinese Literature, (participating editor).

Professor Zheng has undertaken, and has been primarily responsible for a significant number of major research projects, including:

· “A Study of Personality and the Currents of Literary Thought in the Han and Wei Dynasties”, (sponsored by the National Foundation for the Social SciencesFund for Young Scholars);

· “Studies of Contemporary Shandong Calligraphic Art”, (a Key Project sponsored by Shandong Council of the Social Sciences);

· “A History of the Critique of Chinese Calligraphy and a Compendium of Texts and Documents on Calligraphic Studies”, (a Key Project sponsored by Shandong Council of the Social Sciences).

Professor Zheng has received, either independently or in cooperation with other scholars, a Level-Two National Prize for Excellence in Teaching, a Highest Level of Excellence Prize in the Taishan Literature and Art competition, a Level-2 Prize for Outstanding Achievement in the Social Sciences in Shandong Province, and a Level-2 Prize for Outstanding Achievement in Higher Education in Shandong Province.

A detailed academic database for Professor Zheng Xunzuo:

Field(s) of Research and Academic Specialty(ies):

· Literature in the Wei, Jin, and Southern and Northern dynasties periods

· The study of calligraphy

Most Representative Scholarly Writings and Publications Over the Years (limit to 3-5 items):

1. A History of Literature in the Qin, Han, Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties, International Culture Publishing Company, October 2001

2. Reading China (Volume II: The Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties), Taishan Publishers, 1997

3. The Spirit of Chinese Literature (The Wei Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties volume), principal author, Shandong Literature and Art Press, October 2003

4. Zuo Si and Zuo Fen, principal author, Shandong Literature and Art Press, October 2004

Results of Research Work Published or Presented Since 2000 (Books/Monographs/Articles published. Include details of publication: Title, Publisher or Periodical in which the item is published – indicating whether the periodical is a CSSCI Source, year and date of publication, volume/issue number, word-count, personal role, and Categorization [Special/A/B/C]):

1. “The Quality of Toleration in the Aesthetics of Calligraphy,” The Watchtower Magazine, Feb. 2000, (Sole author, 2,000 characters, Category A)

2. “Being together and yet not in harmony versus being in harmony but not together,” The Watchtower Magazine, Mar. 2000, (Sole author, 2,000 characters, Category A)

3. “The Sense of Elite Quality in a Product, and What is One’s Ultimate Concern,” Chinese Review of Books, Apr. 2000, (Sole author, 2,000 characters, Category B)

4. “The Character of Culture, and a Deteriorating Situation,” People’s Daily, Mar. 25, 2001, (Sole author, 2,000 characters, Category B)

5. “Let Us Drive Out the Blindspot of Irrationality in the Circles of Calligraphy,” Wenyibao, Apr. 19, 2001, (Sole author, 2,500 characters, Category B)

6. “On Recluse Literature in the Wei, Jin and Southern and Northern Dynasties Period,” The Social Sciences in Shandong, May 2001, (Sole author, 10,000 characters, Category B)

7. “Let the Classics Leave Their Exalted Seats on the Altar,” Chinese Educational Daily, May 17, 2001, (Sole author, 1,500 characters, Category B)

8. “Cultural Reflections Across the Boundaries of Literary Genres,” Guangming Daily, Dec. 13, 2001, (Sole author, 2,000 characters, Category B)

9. “A Consciousness of Survival Against the Background of the Times,” Wenyibao, Feb. 26, 2002, (Sole author, 3,000 characters, Category B)

10. “Transcendence in Tranquility,” Chinese Calligraphy, June 2002, (Sole author, 1,500 characters, Category B)

11. “A Brief Discourse on the Confucian versus the Daoist Perspective on Reclusion,” Academic Journal of Shandong University, Feb. 2003, (Sole author, 6,000 characters, Category B)

12. “On Writing Brushes,” Chinese Calligraphy, May 2003, (Sole author, 1,000 characters, Category B)

13. “On Pretensions in Calligraphic Creation,” Calligraphy, no. 5, 2004, (Sole author, 5,000 characters, Category C)

14. “A Brief Discussion of Blindspots in the Perceptions of Today’s Calligraphers,” Studies in Aesthetics in Literature and Art, vol. 3, 2004,(Sole author, 12,000 characters, Category B)

Research Project(s) Undertaken Since 2000(Title of project, authorizing unit, dates of project inauguration and conclusion, registration number/code at beginning and conclusion of project, personal role):

1. “A Compilation and Interpretation of Writings on Calligraphy Down the Ages,” sponsored by The Shandong Province Commission on Antiquities, 1999-2002, No. 2 Investigator

2. “Studies of the ‘Being Imperially Employed’ Frame-of-Mind Among the Literati in the Wei and Jin Dynasties,” sponsored by the Shandong Provincial Department of Education, 2001-2003, Principal Investigator

3. “Bronzes Excavated in Shandong,” sponsored by The Shandong Province Commission on Antiquities, 2002-2005, No. 2 Investigator

4. “A Complete History of the Southern and Northern Dynasties,” sponsored by The Shandong Province Social Sciences Planning Council, 2003 -2005, No. 3 Investigator

5. “Studies in Epigraphy Calligraphy,” “Studies in Chinese Calligraphy,” [Hengxiang??], 2001 - , No. 2 Investigator

Academic Prizes and Awards Since 2000 (Title, award sponsoring unit, date/year of prize/award conferred, personal role):

1. A History of Literature in the Qin, Han, Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties, (sole author), Level-3 Prize, Shandong Province Federation for the Social Sciences, 2002

2. A History of Literature in the Qin, Han, Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties, (sole author); Level-2 Prize, Shandong Provincial Department of Education, 2002

Topic(s) of Current and Ongoing Research Undertakings and Recent Research Plans (within 3-5 years):

1. “A Complete History of the Southern and Northern Dynasties,” sponsored by The Shandong Province Social Sciences Planning Council, 2003 -2005

2. “Studies in Chinese Calligraphic Art,” Shandong University grant support, 2001 –

3. “Bronzes Excavated in Shandong,” sponsored by The Shandong Province Commission on Antiquities, 2002-2005