Education is seen by the Chinese as a key element in the modernisation of their country and in maintaining socialism. This book, first published in 1984, examines the nature of modern education in China since 1976, and looks at different parts of the system, the content of teaching and teaching styles. It considers how far the Chinese educational system has been affected by foreign powers and changing political ideology and is unique in that, using empirical data, it places the Chinese system in a world perspective.

Education is seen by the Chinese as a key element in the modernisation of their country and in maintaining socialism. This book, first published in 1984, examines the nature of modern education in China since 1976, and looks at different parts of the system, the content of teaching and teaching styles. It considers how far the Chinese educational system has been affected by foreign powers and changing political ideology and is unique in that, using empirical data, it places the Chinese system in a world perspective.

China's rapid economic growth, modernization and globalization have led to astounding social changes. Contemporary China provides a fascinating portrayal of society and social change in the contemporary People's Republic of China. This book introduces readers to key sociological perspectives, themes and debates about Chinese society. It explores topics such as family life, citizenship, gender, ethnicity, labour, religion, education, class and rural/urban inequalities. It considers China's imperial past, the social and institutional legacies of the Maoist era, and the momentous forces shaping it in the present. It also emphasises diversity and multiplicity, encouraging readers to consider new perspectives and rethink Western stereotypes about China and its people. Real-life case studies illustrate the key features of social relations and change in China. Definitions of key terms, discussion questions and lists of further reading help consolidate learning. Including full-colour maps and photographs, this book offers remarkable insight into Chinese society and social change.

Maintaining education as a pedagogical space for human formation, this book is distinctive in looking at the crisis rather than the success of Chinese education. The editors and contributors, mostly overseas and mainland Chinese scholars, argue that modern Chinese education has been built upon a superficial and instrumental embrace of Western modernity and a fragmented appropriation of Chinese cultural heritage. They call for a rethinking and re-envisioning of Chinese education, grounded in and enriched by various cultural traditions and cross-cultural dialogues. Drawing on Chinese history and culture, Western and Chinese philosophies, curriculum and pedagogical theories, the collected volume analyzes (1) why education as person-making has failed to take root in contemporary China, (2) how the purpose of education has changed during the process of China’s modernization, and (3) what a rediscovery of the meaning of person-making implies for rethinking and re-envisioning Chinese education in the current age of globalization and social change. Re-envisioning Chinese Education: The meaning of person-making in a new age discusses among other issues: China’s Historical Encounter with the West and Modern Chinese Education Rediscover Lasting Values: Confucian Cultural Learning Models in the Twenty-first Century Rethinking and Re-envisioning Chinese Didactics: Implications from the German Didaktik Tradition The New Basic Education and the Development of Human Subjectivity: A Chinese Experience This book will be relevant for scholars, researchers, and policy makers everywhere who seek a more balanced, more sophisticated, and philosophically better grounded understanding of Chinese education.

"Education is seen by the Chinese as a key element in the modernisation of their country and in maintaining socialism. This book, first published in 1984, examines the nature of modern education in China since 1976, and looks at different parts of the system, the content of teaching and teaching styles. It considers how far the Chinese educational system has been affected by foreign powers and changing political ideology and is unique in that, using empirical data, it places the Chinese system in a world perspective."--Provided by publisher.

Education is seen by the Chinese as a key element in the modernisation of their country and in maintaining socialism. This book, first published in 1984, examines the nature of modern education in China since 1976, and looks at different parts of the system, the content of teaching and teaching styles. It considers how far the Chinese educational system has been affected by foreign powers and changing political ideology and is unique in that, using empirical data, it places the Chinese system in a world perspective.

Throughout its history, education in China has played a pivotal role in the nation’s governance, civic society, and the social and cultural lives of its citizens. Today we see a nation grappling with how to modernize and internationalize its education system, while still retaining China’s intellectual traditions and values in the face of growing educational inequalities. This book analyses the historical and contemporary place of education in China and how the past has influenced today’s trends. Recent fundamental educational reforms have been driven by the need for continuing economic development and a highly skilled workforce, at the same time fulfilling the aspirations of its citizens and their desire for the prestige education brings. Moreover, ideological education plays a key role in enlisting citizens to the national cause. Although China has ambitious plans for its education system, several problems remain, including an examination-obsessed system and highly competitive culture, which skew the social fabric and dominate family life and childhoods. This accessible analysis will be a welcome resource for students of comparative education as well as those across the social sciences interested in Chinese society.