Dr. Kailai Huang

Professor, History & Political Science

Professor Huang
Email
Phone
(413) 662-5426
Office
History House, Rm 1

Education

Ph.D., Binghamton University, 1993

M.A., Beijing Normal University, 1984

B.A., Hebei University, 1982

Courses Taught

HIST 103: Pre-Modern World Civilization

HIST 220 Reformers, Rebels, Revolutionaries in East Asia

HIST 310: History of Japan

HIST 310: Chinese Culture and Civilization

HIST 310 History of India

HIST 401: Asia and the West

HIST 403 US and China

MCLA Profile

Office Hours – Spring 2026

Icon CalendarMonday and Wednesday, 9–10 a.m.
Tuesday and Thursday, 9:30–10:30 a.m.
Or by appointment

 

Introduction

Sharing the dramatic and the mundane history presents to us, I attempt to cultivate in students the trademark of historians: the historical thinking that explores the past through understanding the multiple causations, the context, and the interplay of change and continuity. I want students to appreciate how historical knowledge and perspectives develop our sense of identity, understanding of the present, open-mindedness, and critical skills in research and writing. In all my classes, I strive to make history provide a basic background for some different academic disciplines and transferrable analytical and communication skills.

My research interest is the history of US-China relations with a focus on the dynamics of trade and diplomacy. 
Huang, Kailai. "The Role of American Business in Sino-American Normalization." In Thirty Years of China-U.S. Relations: Analytical Approaches and Contemporary Issues, edited by Shujin Guo and Baogang Guo. Lanham, Md.: Lexington Books, 2010.