From Obedience to Independence?

 Education and Society in China and beyong

The past three decades in China have seen the emergence of a new dominant discourse on childhood and child-rearing, which highlights children’s individualism and personal freedom. In what ways do "traditional" educational methods continue to influence children’s place in society? Can an exam-oriented education system foster innovative students? In this course, we will discuss the child’s place in contemporary Chinese society through a comparison to other Asian societies like Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Hong Kong. We will also deal with theoretical questions such as: the relationship between education and discipline, the meaning of personal freedom and creativity, and generally the relationship between individuals and society.