Showing papers by "Colin Mackerras published in 2006"

Encyclopedia of Asian Theatre

Abstract: The encyclopedia covers the theatre of East, Southeast and South Asia, past and present My role was editor of entries on Chinese traditional theatre I was also author of entries entitled 'Ache Lhamo', 'Bangzi qiang', 'Censorship: China, Xiqu Censorship', 'Censorship: Vietnam', 'Cheng Changgeng (1811-1880)', 'China', 'China: Ethnic Minorities Theatres and Regional Theatre', 'Folk Theatre: Vietnam', 'Masks: China', 'Mongolia', 'Politics in Theatre: China', 'Politics in Theatre: Vietnam', 'Religion in Theatre: China', 'Storytelling: China', 'Tan Xinpei', ' Theatre Companies: China', 'Tibet', 'Wei Changsheng', 'Women in Asian Theatre: China', 'Xinbian lishi ju', 'Yueju, Cantonese Yueju', 'Yu Sansheng (1802-1866)', 'Yu Shuyan (1890-1943)', 'Zhang Erkui (1814-1864)' In addition I was co-author of entries on the following: 'Actors and Acting: China', 'China: Post-1949 Reform', 'Jingju', 'Playwrights and Playwriting: China', 'Puppet Theatre: China', 'Stages: China', 'Theatres: China', 'Theory: China', 'Training: China'

Critical Social Issues

Abstract: The chapter discusses several major social issues under the People's Republic of China. These issues include those relating to family and women, the education system, the health system, and economic inequality accompanying economic growth.

Has affirmative action for ethnic minorities run its course

Abstract: On 14 and 15 April 2006, Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, in the United States was host to a conference dealing with the general subject of affirmative action for ethnic minorities, especially as it applies to the education system. The focus was on China and most of the papers dealt with that country, which is why it can be reviewed in this journal. However, there was also quite a bit of consideration of affirmative action in the United States. The organizers of the conference were Dr Zhou Minglang, Associate Professor in the East Asian Studies Department, and Professor Ann M. Hill of the Anthropology Department, both of Dickinson College. The title of the conference was ‘China’s Positive (Affirmative Action) Policies in Minority Education’. As the title suggests, the Conference was very focused. The total number of participants was about thirty, almost all from the United States and China, with one from Australia (the author of this review). The format of discussion was to present papers on particular themes, followed by questions and relevant commentary from discussants. Most of the papers were given in English, although there were a very few in Chinese. The standard both of the papers and the discussion that followed each paper was very high. This review aims to take up a few of the issues that struck me most as most interesting from the conference. My purpose is to look at the conference as a whole, not to pick out individual papers for praise or blame. I was in general impressed with the conference, its aims and its papers. Two points struck me as adding very strongly to the deliberations. In addition to well-known Western specialists on ethnic questions, notably writer on Marxism and the nationalities question Walker Connor, there were quite a few members of ethnic minorities from China and the United States. From China the Tibetans, Uygurs, Mongolians, Yugurs and Koreans were represented, as well as the majority Han. From the United States, minorities represented included the Afro-Americans, Chinese and Latinos. Most of the Chinese present had come especially for the conference, although the organizer Zhou Minglang and several others lived in the United States. Some students from Dickinson College presented papers on their own experience of affirmative action in the United States, which added a personal and grass-roots dimension to the conference. The other point I especially liked about the conference was that all sessions were in plenum. It seems to me that one gets better-focused discussion when all attendees are together, considering a particular issue that matters to them. Certainly, discussion was Asian Ethnicity, Volume 7, Number 3, October 2006

China's Campaign to 'Open Up the West': National, Provincial and Local Perspectives [Book Review]

Abstract: Review(s) of: China's Campaign to 'Open Up the West': National, Provincial and Local Perspectives, edited by David S. G. Goodman. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2004. viii + 204 pp.