Since the Xi leadership, the Communist Party lays significantly more emphasis on the importance of history and its education, which is reflected in the party’s overall discourse, institutional...Show moreSince the Xi leadership, the Communist Party lays significantly more emphasis on the importance of history and its education, which is reflected in the party’s overall discourse, institutional changes and the compiling of a new series of unified textbooks. Education is key in the national socialization process, and can be utilized for fostering patriotism. This study is concerned principally with the discursive construction of a key period in Chinese history in the new junior high school textbooks: the “century of humiliation”. Through combining one of the approaches within the critical discourse analysis school and ethnographic research methods, this study dissects the discourse within in the textbooks and examines the transmission process of the discourse in the classroom environment. Furthermore, the research also analyses the contextual environment in which the textbooks arose, taking into consideration the broader official discourse and relevant recent trends. This study reveals the applied discursive strategies and demonstrates their significance in creating a historical truth.Show less
This bachelor thesis examines the use of nationalist elements in Nanyang Brothers Tobacco Company (NBTC) advertisements in the Shenbao newspaper between 1919 and 1937. Changes in the political...Show moreThis bachelor thesis examines the use of nationalist elements in Nanyang Brothers Tobacco Company (NBTC) advertisements in the Shenbao newspaper between 1919 and 1937. Changes in the political climate and the resurgent competition with other tobacco companies played a role in the decision of the NBTC to engage in the nationalist sentiment that prevailed in society. Taking into account the relative novelties of nationalism, factory manufactured tobacco, multinational companies, competitive rivalry, print media and advertisements in print media, this examination sheds light on how a 'domestic' tobacco company uses nationalism in its advertisements and what kinds of language, signs and symbols are used to get across the 'domestic' image of the company. Due to the complicated historical origin of the NBTC, one might question whether the NBTC can be regarded as a domestic company that produces 'National products'. Before the advertisements are examined, background information about various subjects is provided to get familiarized with important economic developments, the political stage and nationalism.Show less
This thesis examines and compares the laws concerning marriage and divorce in the Qing dynasty and the Republican period. It also looks at the May Fourth Movement that happened during the...Show moreThis thesis examines and compares the laws concerning marriage and divorce in the Qing dynasty and the Republican period. It also looks at the May Fourth Movement that happened during the Republican period and how it influenced the formation of the laws concerning marriage and divorce in that period. Finally it will also look at what the impact of these laws were on the position of women.Show less
The Earth Gods' Parade is an important religious event held in Lantern Festival in Lunar New Year in Shezih region, Taipei City. The event constitutes and reflects the region's unique cultural...Show moreThe Earth Gods' Parade is an important religious event held in Lantern Festival in Lunar New Year in Shezih region, Taipei City. The event constitutes and reflects the region's unique cultural identity. However, the upcoming urban development plan proposed by Taipei City Government under Wen-je Ko in 2015 is going to affect the region and the event's future. While the parade is ignored in the urban plan, some local residents and activists nominate the event as Taipei City intangible cultural heritage. This research attempts to analyze how a place’s Intangible Cultural Heritage constitutes and reflects the place’s cultural identity. The research also portrays different roles of the Earth Gods' Parade in the conflict of new urban development plan.Show less
This thesis analyses the ideas that shaped the new generation of Chinese diplomats that came to power in the early 20th century, and links this to the Shandong Question and the Treaty of Versailles...Show moreThis thesis analyses the ideas that shaped the new generation of Chinese diplomats that came to power in the early 20th century, and links this to the Shandong Question and the Treaty of Versailles. It argues that the emerging nationalist sentiments, combined with the idea of Social Darwinism played a crucial role in China's behaviour at the Paris Peace Talks, because the diplomats were heavily influenced by these ideas.Show less
This thesis examines the reasons behind missionary attitudes that rejected ideas of reform that were proposed by the Lazarist missionary Frederic Vincent Lebbe. It tries to establish how certain...Show moreThis thesis examines the reasons behind missionary attitudes that rejected ideas of reform that were proposed by the Lazarist missionary Frederic Vincent Lebbe. It tries to establish how certain missionary attitudes may have taken shape under the conditions in which the churches in China operated in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century and it will also take into consideration the organization of the Catholic mission churches themselves.Show less
China consists of an enormous geo-body, with different geographical, cultural, and linguistic differences. Hence, many differences exist within its population, which consists of fifty-five...Show moreChina consists of an enormous geo-body, with different geographical, cultural, and linguistic differences. Hence, many differences exist within its population, which consists of fifty-five minorities and the Han majority. Although the state creates space for the acknowledgement of internal differences, it also continuously emphasizes China’s unity. This has led to a paradox of unity in diversity. Prior research on cultural diversity within China has mainly focused on minority nationalities, giving less attention to the Han as they are often deemed ‘invisible’. This research will however focus on the Han as it aims to answer the question: “How do Han students identify themselves in the paradox of unity in diversity?” by examining what the sense of belonging of students from Shandong University is built on. The data will show that self-identification of the students is simultaneously vertically and horizontally related, depending on the role of the ‘Other’: identities exist in tandem with each other, while they can also gain preference. Furthermore, through the constant emphasis on ‘national’ and ‘hometown’ identities ―one representing unity, the other diversity― it becomes evident that the paradox of unity in diversity is an integral part of the students’ self-identification.Show less
Presentation of the topic As a consequence of its vertiginous development in the last decades, China has gained a new position as an international superpower. Economic development has led to...Show morePresentation of the topic As a consequence of its vertiginous development in the last decades, China has gained a new position as an international superpower. Economic development has led to drastic social changes which had an impact on the official conception of Chinese Identity supported by the government. After the Maoist era and the reforms conducted under Deng, the old communist ideology did not suit Chinese people anymore. The government has had to find new discourses on which to base the national community. Contemporary China’s nationalism engages repeatedly with China’s glorious past and the unique value of Chinese traditional culture. Through such themes, the government aims to build a connection between contemporary Chinese society and Chinese history, in an effort to fill the lack of ideology which followed the Maoist era. Moreover, in contemporary times China’s international image has changed too; it is now one of the most powerful economies in the world, but lacks of international cultural influence. This study will investigate whether Chinese domestic cultural governance is meant to have an impact on an international level, and how such an objective would be achieved. This research will focus on the formulation and implementation of cultural governance under the president Xi Jinping, approaching the subject in a threefold analysis: theories on Chinese identity and nation-building, international network building and cultural investments under Xi Jinping, and exemplifying case studies in the Shandong province (The Confucius Temple and Kong’s Manson in Qufu, and the Shandong Province Museum in Jinan). Research Questions The questions this research seeks to answer are: how is cultural governance formulated and implemented in Contemporary China? What are the theories behind Chinese nation-building strategies that engage which traditional culture? How should the governmental support to Chinese traditional culture be interpreted? Who is the audience for such narrative and what does it aim for? How does this discourse reflect on a local level, such as the Shandong Province?Show less
Cosmetic surgery in China has become particularly popular in the last decade. The country has faced a great economic development, which has led to the birth of the new Chinese consumer. Consumption...Show moreCosmetic surgery in China has become particularly popular in the last decade. The country has faced a great economic development, which has led to the birth of the new Chinese consumer. Consumption is particularly tied to self-representation and identity. To complete their identity through their appearance, individuals consume cosmetic surgery. For this reason, the beauty industry has developed new means to attract future clients: online advertising. Since few of the previous studies deal with the online aspect of cosmetic surgery in China, this dissertation aims to analyze how the new agents of advertisements (in this case websites) are used to compel clients. By employing discourse analysis to two cosmetic surgery platforms: Yuemei and Soyoung, the research demonstrates how the main means of these websites’ advertising are the users themselves.Show less
This thesis aims to examine the link between feminism and nationalism by applying the case of Qiu Jin on to this debate, and to analyze her transformation into a radical reformist, focusing on the...Show moreThis thesis aims to examine the link between feminism and nationalism by applying the case of Qiu Jin on to this debate, and to analyze her transformation into a radical reformist, focusing on the social and political condition that contributed to her revolutionary activities.Show less
The thesis identifies a research question based on a solid review of primarily English-language literature on national identity formation and history education. As noted in the literature review,...Show moreThe thesis identifies a research question based on a solid review of primarily English-language literature on national identity formation and history education. As noted in the literature review, scholars have trained their attention on the ways in which schools shaped national identity but not as much on the students’ experiences or reception. An investigation into students’ experiences enriches our understanding about history education in national identity formation.Show less
This thesis discusses the effects of the Great Leap Forward on China’s environment. This is accomplished by analyzing the changes that have occurred throughout China’s fauna and flora, in...Show moreThis thesis discusses the effects of the Great Leap Forward on China’s environment. This is accomplished by analyzing the changes that have occurred throughout China’s fauna and flora, in particular desertification will be studied in depth. Furthermore, the characteristics of China’s past and present environmental politics will be touched upon.Show less
This thesis explores how education policies had influenced the developments of different identity formations in colonial and postcolonial Taiwan and Hong Kong. Based on findings about and analysis...Show moreThis thesis explores how education policies had influenced the developments of different identity formations in colonial and postcolonial Taiwan and Hong Kong. Based on findings about and analysis of education policies that had connections with identity formation, this thesis tries to argue that, firstly, education policies caused different identity formations (Japanese colonial, Chinese and Taiwanese identities) in colonial and postcolonial Taiwan, while education policies contributed to the formation of one single identity, the Hong Kong identity, in colonial and postcolonial Hong Kong. Secondly, consequences of the introduction of education policies on identity formations in Taiwan and Hong Kong were different.Show less
This thesis analyzes the main factors which are contributing to the popularity of cosmetic surgery among Chinese women, focusing on social contexts, such as marriage and finding a job,...Show moreThis thesis analyzes the main factors which are contributing to the popularity of cosmetic surgery among Chinese women, focusing on social contexts, such as marriage and finding a job, globalization and its outcomes such as the influence of mass media and South Korea. To understand these factors this thesis dives into the concept of beauty by understanding what it means to be beautiful in China throughout history and who ultimately defines it. It is argued that there has been a change of beauty standard in China, meaning that the steps of obtaining beauty changed from applying make-up and wearing certain hairstyles and clothes to a whole new high level which can now only be obtained by cosmetic surgery. A number of factors are ‘defining’ the beauty standard of today, which is globalization, which can be seen as mass media and the popularity of South Korea, and China’s beauty economy which also contributes to higher standards in personal and professional success.Show less
