Space for difference - an incongruous mix of Chinese writing and digital theories, can we all benefit?

Brief description of session and activities

As more and more overseas, and in particular, Chinese students arrive on our courses, this session will explore how we can benefit from the different perspective brought.

Drawing on a wide range of ideas, from ‘digital tribes’ (Wheeler 2009), ‘wisdom of crowds’ (Surowiecki 2009), ‘differential hermeneutic’ (Adam 2003), the outsider as ‘foreign matter’ (Maki 2008) and the Chinese characters for ‘cultural capital’, we will explore a montage of learning experiences that is enhanced even with its feeling of incongruity at the seemingly incompatible elements.

China itself is a huge nation with vast differences. Although there are clearly some common threads within a Chinese approach to education and ‘cultural capital’, built mainly on traditional Confucianism, the modern ‘state capitalist’ ideology creates even more difference. Whether this leads to more confusion or greater benefit to the British higher education system, may depend on our response.

How will students be involved in the session?

The session will include short presentations of various theories, interspersed with discussion. I will also use some video interviews with former Chinese MA students and there will be an opportunity to learn some Chinese, both written and spoken.

What will participants take away from the session?

A greater understanding of how our higher education system can be enhanced by the participation of diverse groups of students, also the ability to read, write and speak 4 characters Chinese (I am not Chinese but I did live there for 3 years and continue to teach at universities there regularly, my Chinese is basic but passable for this setting!)