Abstract
This study explains the dual task on both political and academic issues in Chinese higher education, using Fudan University in Hong Kong SAR, People’s Republic of China (PRC), as a case study. The research problem focuses on the dynamics and complexity of the interplay among the state, university, staff, and students in the process of socialization through political education and academic affairs. With empirical data collected through documents, questionnaires, observation, and interviews, this study found that academic staff, as both political socialization enforcers and academic freedom pursuers, must implement political socialization and academic freedom in teaching. From its analysis of the interplay among the different players, this article suggests the existence of role-splitting as a phenomenon in Chinese higher education, in which university teachers play different specific roles to form their strategies, and have complex interactions with other players to deal with differentiated expectations. In these interactions, teachers take on different roles with different responsibilities, adopt different strategies, and exhibit different, even contrasting behaviors on different occasions. These behaviors could range from obediently observing bottom lines and working within boundaries set by the state, particularly regarding political affairs, to challenging norms by attempting to expand the scope of academic autonomy and freedom, even in areas the state might deem politically sensitive, which constituted a unique model of higher education.
Similar content being viewed by others
Change history
13 September 2018
The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake.
References
Akerlind, G. S., & Kayrooz, C. (2003). Understanding academic freedom: The views of social scientists. Higher Education Research & Development, 22(3), 327–344.
Altbach, P. G. (2004a). The costs and benefits of world-class universities. Academe, 90(1), 20–23.
Altbach, P. G. (2004b). Globalization and the university: Myths and realities in an unequal world. In M. Pan (Ed.), Inheritance and reform: International conference on higher education reform in China (pp. 18–34). Xiamen: Xiamen University Press.
Ballantine, J. H., & Spade, J. Z. (Eds.). (2011). Schools and Society: A Sociological Approach to Education (4th ed.): Sage Publications, Incorporated.
Barnett, R. (1990). The Idea of Higher Education: ERIC.
Cai, C. (Ed.). (2014). Xinde Lishi Tiaojian Xia Ruhe Zuohao Gaoxiao Yishi Xingtai Gongzuo (How to Do Better the Ideological Work in Universities With New Historical Condition) (Vol. 17): Qiushi.
Cai, R. (1987). Rujia Sixiang de Xiandai Yiyi (the modern significance of Confucian thoughts) (E'hu Xueshu Congkan). Taipei: WenChin Publishing Company.
Dawson, R. E., & Prewitt, K. (1969). Political socialization : An analytic study. Boston: Little Brown.
Dong, Y. (2005). Zhishi Xinyang Xiandaihua: Zhongguo Zhengzhi Shehuihua Zhong de Gaodeng Jiaoyu (knowledge, belief and modernization: Higher education in China's political socialization). Shanghai: Fudan University Press.
Dowse, R. E., & Hughes, J. (1971). The family, the school, and the political socialization process. Sociology, 5(1), 21–45.
Dreyer, J. T. (2004). China's political system : Modernization and tradition (4th ed.). Boston: Pearson/Longman.
Du, R. (1992). Chinese higher education: A decade of reform and development (1978–1988). New York: St. Martin's Press.
Du, Y. (2016). Tisheng Lilun Suyang Zengqiang Zhiye Nengli Qieshi Jiaqiang Gaoxiao Fudaoyuan Duiwu Jianshe (Enhancing Theoretical Quality and Professional Capability to Improve the Construction on the University Students' Counselors' Team). http://www.jyb.cn/high/gdjyxw/201606/t20160606_661815.html2016.
Easton, D., & Hess, R. D. (1961). Youth and the political system. Culture and social character, 226–251.
Enders, J. (2007). The academic profession. In J. J. F. Forest & P. G. Altbach (Eds.), International handbook of higher education (Vol. 1, pp. 5–21). Dordrecht: Springer.
Enders, J., De Boer, H., & Weyer, E. (2013). Regulatory autonomy and performance: The reform of higher education re-visited. Higher Education, 65(1), 5–23.
Fairbrother, G. P. (2003). The effects of political education and critical thinking on Hong Kong and mainland Chinese university Students' National Attitudes. British Journal of Sociology of Education, 24(5), 605–620.
Fong, V., & Murphy, R. (2005). Introduction: Chinese experience of citizenship at the margins. In V. Fong & R. Murphy (Eds.), Chinese citizenship: Views from the margins. London and New York: Routledge.
Fudan University (2014). Fudan Daxue Zhangcheng (Charter of Fudan University). http://www.fudan.edu.cn/cms/files/20141112finalzhangcheng.pdf.
Giddens, A. (1993). Sociology (2nd ed.). Cambridge: Polity Press.
Hayhoe, R. (1983). Towards the forging of a Chinese university ethos: Zhendan and Fudan, 1903–1919. The China Quarterly, 94, 323–341.
Hayhoe, R. (2011). Introduction and acknowledgement. In R. Hayhoe, J. Li, J. Lin, & Q. Zha (Eds.), Portraits of 21st century Chinese universities: In the move to mass higher education (pp. 1–18). Hong Kong: Springer.
Hu, J. (2005). Xueshu yu Zhengzhi Zhijian de Juese Kundun: Daxue Jiaoshi de Shehuixue Yanjiu (the role dilemma in between academics and politics: A sociological study on university teachers). Nanjing: Nanjing Normal University Press.
Ichilov, O. (1998). Patterns of citizenship in a changing world. In O. Ichilov (Ed.), Citizenship and citizenship education in a changing world. London; Portland, OR: Woburn Press.
Jennings, M. K. (2007). Political Socialization. In R. J. Dalton, & H.-D. Klingemann (Eds.), Oxford Handbook of Political Behavior (pp. 29–44).
Law, W.-W. (1995). The role of the state in higher education reform: Mainland China and Taiwan. Comparative Education Review, 39(3), 322–355.
Law, W.-W. (2011). Citizenship and citizenship education in a global age: Politics, policies, and practices in China global studies in education (Vol. 2). New York: P. Lang.
Law, W.-W. (2013). Globalization, National Identity, and citizenship education: China’s search for modernization and a modern Chinese citizenry. Frontiers of Education in China, 8(4), 596–627.
Li, J. (2011). Equity, institutional change and civil society-the student experience in China's move to mass higher education. In R. Hayhoe, J. Li, J. Lin, & Q. Zha (Eds.), Portraits of 21st century Chinese universities: In the move to mass higher education (pp. 58–93). Hong Kong: Springer.
Li, J. (2012). World-Class Higher Education and the Emerging Chinese Model of the University. Prospects, 1–21.
Li, J. (2014). Three China Universities Vow to Strengthen Ideological Control over Students, Teachers: Communist Party Journal Publishes Statements of Peking, Fudan and Sun Yat-sen Universities. (2014, 2014/9/01). South China Morning Post. Hong Kong.
Lo, N. K. L. (1991). State patronage of intellectuals in Chinese higher education. Comparative Education Review, 35(4), 690–720.
Lo, N. K. L., & Man, S.-W. (1996). Introduction: Nuturing the moral citizen of the future. In N. K. L. Lo & S.-w. Man (Eds.), Research and Endeavours in moral and civic education. Hong Kong Institute of Educational Research: Hong Kong.
Marginson, S. (2014). Academic freedom: A global comparative approach. Frontiers of Education in China, 9(1), 24–41.
Merriam, S. B. (1998). Qualitative research and case study applications in education (2nd ed.). San Francisco, Calif: Jossey-Bass Publishers.
Moor, R. A. D. (1993). Academic freedom and university autonomy: Essentials and limitations. In U. N. E. S. C. O. E. C. F. H. Education (Ed.), Papers on higher education: Academic freedom and university autonomy (pp. 57–66). Bucharest: UNESCO European Centre For Higher Education.
Niemi, R. G., & Sobieszek, B. I. (1977). Political Socialization. Annual Review of Sociology, 3, 209–233.
Pan, S.-Y. (2009). University autonomy, the state, and social change in China. Hong Kong: Hong Kong University Press.
Postiglione, G. A. (2004). The Evolution of Higher Education System in Hong Kong and the China' Inland. Paper presented at the International Conference on Higher Education Reform in China, Xiamen, China.
Pritchard, S. M. K. (1994). Higher education reform in China: Perceived changes in faculty autonomy at two universities. Claremont, California: The Claremont Graduate School.
Qiu, B. (2003). Shitu Baituo Kunjing de Gaoxiao Sixiang Zhengzhi Jiaoyu (Ideological and Political Education in Higher Educational Instituions Out of Dilemma). Ideological & Theoretical Education (6), 51–56.
Ren, K., & Li, J. (2013). Academic freedom and university autonomy: A higher education policy perspective. Higher Education Policy, 26(4), 507–522.
Rosen, S. (1992). Students and the state in China: The crisis in ideology and organization. In A. L. Rosenbaum (Ed.), State and Society in China: The consequences of reform. Boulder; San Francisco; Oxford: Westview Press.
Rosen, S. (1993). The effect of post-4 June re-education campaigns on Chinese students. China Quarterly, 134, 310–334.
Saich, T. (2004). Governance and politics of China (2nd ed.). New York: Palgrave Macmillan.
Shanghai Course Center (2015). Sixiang Daode Xiuyang Taolunke (Discussion Class of Moral Education). http://www.ucc.sh.edu.cn/play/791542015.
Spring, J. (2012). Globalization of education. International Journal of Chinese Education, 1, 139–176.
State Council. (2015). In S. Council (Ed.), Tongchou Tuijin Shijie Yiliu Daxue he Yiliu Xueke Jianshe Zongti Fangan (the whole planning on promotion of world first class university and first class discipline construction). Beijing: State Council.
The Paper (2013). Dangkan Jujiao Gaoxiao Yishi Xingtai Gongzuo, Beida Fudan Zhongshandaxue Dangwei Jitibiaotai (The CPC Magazine Focused on Indeological Work in Universities, PKU FDU SYSU Stated Their Position). http://m.thepaper.cn/newsDetail_forward_1264565?from=timeline&isappinstalled=02015.
Theory Bureau of Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee. (2009). Liuge Weishenme: Dui Jige Zhongda Wenti de Huida (six whys: Answers to several important questions). Beijing: Xuexi Publishing House.
Torney-Purta, J. (2004). Adolescents’ political socialization in changing contexts: An international study in the Spirit of Nevitt Sanford. Political Psychology, 25(3), 465–478.
Turk, L. J. (2014). Introduction. In L. J. Turk (Ed.), Academic freedom in conflict: The struggle over free speech rights in the university (pp. 7–10). Toronto, Ontario: James Lorimer & Companu Ltd..
Wang, L. (2010). Higher education governance and university autonomy in China. Globalisation, Societies and Education, 8(4), 477–495.
Wu, L., Yang, Q., Liu, H., Shen, Y., Jian, Z., Wang, J., et al. (2013). Daxuesheng Zhengzhi Shehuihua de Jieguo Yanjiu -- Yi "Shehui Hugoulun" Wei Lilun Shijiao (the research on the consequences of political socialization of undergraduates -- social mutual construction theory as framework). Beijing: Social Science Academic Press (China).
Xi, J. (2013). Yishi Xingtai Gongzuo Shi Dangde Yixiang Jiduan Zhongyao Gongzuo (ideological work is an extremely important work for the CPC). Beijing: Xinhua Net.
Xi. (2016). Ba Sixiang Zhengzhi Gongzuo Guanchuan Jiaoyu Quanguocheng (Let Ideological and Political Work Company the Whole Process of Education). Xinhua Net. Beijing: Xinhua Net.
Xi'an Jiaotong University (2009). Jiuxiao Qianding Yiliu Daxue Rencai Peiyang Hezuo Yu Jiaoliu Xieyishu (Cooperation and Exchange Agreement On Talents Cultivation among First-Class Universities Signed by Nine Universities). http://xjtunews.xjtu.edu.cn/zhxw/2009-10/1255091987d24517.shtml2013.
Xia, K., & Zhang, D. (2006). Zhongmei Gaoxiao Xuesheng Shiwuguan Bijiao (A Comparison on Views of Students' Affairs Between American and Chinese Universities). Ideological & Theoretical Education(1), 67–70.
Xinhua Net (2005). Hu Jintao Zhi Fudan Daxue Jianxiao Yibai Zhounian de Hexin (President Hu Jintao's Congratualtions to Fudan University's Centennial Celebration). http://news.xinhuanet.com/politics/2005-09/24/content_3538108.htm2013.
Xinhua Net (2015). Yuan Guiren: Gaoxiao Jiaoshi Bixu Shouhao Zhengzhi Falv Daode Santiao Dixian (Yuan Guiren: University Teachers Should Upholding Three Bottome Lines on Politics, Laws and Morality). http://news.xinhuanet.com/edu/2015-01/29/c_1114183715.htm.
Yan, X. (2014). Engineering stability: Authoritarian political control over University students in post-Deng China. The China Quarterly, 218, 493–513.
Yang, R., Vidovich, L., & Currie, J. (2007). "dancing in a cage": Changing autonomy in Chinese higher education. Higher Education: The International Journal of Higher Education and Educational Planning, 54(4), 575–592.
Yang, Y. (2009). Daxue Shiming yu Dangdai Qingnian Zeren (The Mission of University and Youth's Responsibility Nowadays). http://www.moe.gov.cn/jyb_xwfb/s6192/s133/s164/201004/t20100419_83705.html2016.
Yang, Y. (2010). Wo Mengxiang Zhong de Daxue: Xinhuashe Jizhe Zhuanfang Fudan Daxue Xiaozhang Yang Yuliang (University in My Dream: Xinhua News Angency's Interview with Fudan University President Yang Yuliang). http://news.fudan.edu.cn/2010/0310/23761.html2015.
Yang, Y. (2011). Fudan Jiujing Geile Nimen Shenme: Rang Xinling He Xiangxiangli Zhanchi Feixiang (What on Earth Has Fudan Given to You: Let Mind and Imagination Spread Wings and Fly ). http://news.fudan.edu.cn/2011/0704/28411.html. Accessed 2015.
Yin, R. K. (2008). Case Study Research: Design and Methods (4th ed., Vol. 5): Sage Publications, Incorporated.
Yinbing (2011). Daxue Yinggai Zenyang? (What Universities Should be Like?). Wave, pp. 28–32.
Yu, X. (2002). Citizenship, Ideology and the PRC Constitution. In M. Goldman, & E. J. Perry (Eds.), Changing Meanings of Citizenship in Modern China: Harvard University Press.
Zha, Q. (2011). Understanding China's move to mass higher education from a policy perspective. In R. Hayhoe, J. Li, J. Lin, & Q. Zha (Eds.), Portraits of 21st century Chinese universities: In the move to mass higher education (pp. 20–57). Hong Kong: Springer.
Zha, Q. (2012). Intellectuals, Academic Freedom, and University Autonomy in China. In H. G. Schuetze, W. Bruneau, & G. Grosjean (Eds.), University Governance and Reform: Policy, Fads, and Experience in International Perspective (pp. 209–224): Palgrave Macmillan.
Zhao, S. (1998). A state-led nationalism: The patriotic education campaign in post-Tiananmen China. Communist and Post-Communist Studies, 31(3), 287–302.
Zhao, W. (2001). Zhuanxingqi de Zhongguo Zhengzhi Shehuihua Yanjiu(study on China' s political socialization in social transition). Shanghai: Fudan University Press.
Zhong, N. (1997). University autonomy in China. Toronto: University of Toronto.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Xiaoxin, D. Role split phenomenon of academic staff in Chinese higher education: a case study of Fudan University. High Educ 75, 997–1013 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10734-017-0180-7
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10734-017-0180-7