Meng Xie, Internationalizing the Social Sciences in China: The Disciplinary Development of Sociology at Tsinghua University

IF 1 3区社会学 Q3 SOCIOLOGY

International Sociology Pub Date : 2022-09-01 DOI:10.1177/02685809221138462

Nath Aldalala’a

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Abstract

This book based on the author’s PhD thesis, read at the University of Hong Kong, is forwarded by the author’s academic supervisor, Professor Rui Yang, who maps out the book’s objectives. Yang explicates that the book attempts ‘to make a holistic exploration of the current state of development of the social sciences in China’s premier universities by taking Tsinghua University’s sociology as a case’ (viii). Yang’s ‘Forward’ is accurately reflected in the author’s comprehensive analysis; including presenting theoretical considerations on the development of social sciences in a global context of asymmetrical academic relations across knowledge systems. The book registers the historical trajectory of the disciplinary evolution of China’s social sciences under the influence of internationalization, and scrutinizes the complex academic relations between various forces during different historical periods (Forward). Tsinghua University is selected as a case study for various reasons. Justifying that ‘the Chinese higher education system is marked by a hierarchical structure that positions institutions “according to their function and goals”’ (p. 15). It is acknowledged that Tsinghua and Tsinghua’s Sociology fits this criterion. Besides, Tsinghua occupies a close historical and contemporary nexus with Western universities, which allows Tsinghua to cultivate research and talent ‘above those of the average Chinese university’ (p. 16). Tsinghua also is a unique case due to its distinct disciplinary development trajectory in the social sciences throughout the past century. Tsinghua’s sociology, the author argues, was ranked fourth in China (CDGDC, 2017). Additionally, from 2015 to 2018 it was consistently among the top 51–100 in the world, based on QS World University Rankings by Subject, despite having only 14 faculty members. 1138462 ISS0010.1177/02685809221138462International SociologyBook review research-article2022

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中国社会科学的国际化:清华大学社会学的学科发展

这本书基于作者在香港大学读的博士论文，由作者的学术导师杨锐教授转发，他制定了这本书的目标。杨解释说，这本书试图“以清华大学的社会学为个案，对中国一流大学的社会科学发展现状进行全面的探索”（viii）。杨的“前进”准确地体现在作者的综合分析中；包括在知识体系不对称学术关系的全球背景下，对社会科学的发展提出理论思考。该书记录了国际化影响下中国社会科学学科演变的历史轨迹，并审视了不同历史时期各种力量之间复杂的学术关系（前进）。由于种种原因，清华大学被选为案例研究。证明“中国高等教育体系以等级结构为标志，“根据机构的职能和目标”对机构进行定位”（第15页）。清华大学和清华大学的社会学都符合这一标准。此外，清华大学与西方大学有着密切的历史和当代联系，这使清华大学能够培养出“高于中国普通大学的研究和人才”（第16页）。清华大学也是一个独特的案例，因为它在过去一个世纪的社会科学学科发展轨迹独特。作者认为，清华大学的社会学在中国排名第四（CDGDC，2017）。此外，从2015年到2018年，尽管只有14名教职员工，但根据QS世界大学学科排名，该校始终跻身世界前51-100名。1138462 ISS0010.1177/02685809221138462国际社会学书评研究-文章2022

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来源期刊

International Sociology SOCIOLOGY-

CiteScore

4.50

自引率

0.00%

发文量

期刊介绍： Established in 1986 by the International Sociological Association (ISA), International Sociology was one of the first sociological journals to reflect the research interests and voice of the international community of sociologists. This highly ranked peer-reviewed journal publishes contributions from diverse areas of sociology, with a focus on international and comparative approaches. The journal presents innovative theory and empirical approaches, with attention to insights into the sociological imagination that deserve worldwide attention. New ways of interpreting the social world and sociology from an international perspective provide innovative insights into key sociological issues.