Ethnic Identity and Responsible Scholarship: Pedagogical Dilemma of Chinese Political Scientists in American Universities.

Due to China?s ascendancy in post-Cold War international affairs, the study of China has become one of the fields that many American universities are looking to strengthen their teaching and research in comparative politics and international relations. Since China implemented reform and open-door policy in the late 1970s, more and more college students from mainland China have come to the US to pursue doctoral degrees. After graduation, many of them find jobs in American colleges and universities. Some are political scientists who teach courses on China, study Chinese politics and foreign policy, or use Chinese case studies in their research. These Chinese political scientists are an important component of the overseas Chinese community?s ?social elite.? This subgroup of academics shares many common characteristics with their fellow expatriates: they observe Chinese customs and traditions; they struggle to maintain their cultural autonomy; and they identify themselves as nationalist sojourners, to name a few. Many overseas Chinese academics face a pedagogical dilemma. On the one hand, their ethnic (cultural) identities and cultivated ?loyalties? compel them to protect China?s national image and even advance China?s national interests in some areas. On the other hand, their scholarly code of ethics requires them to be objective when teaching their American students about the ?real China.? This objectivity often goes hand in hand with criticism of China?s policies and practices, which conflicts with the academic?s loyalty to China. Such a dilemma is becoming increasingly more complicated by two external factors: traditionally negative media reports about China in the US and China?s increasing exposure in the global information age. My paper attempts to address the following questions using case studies and an email survey: to what extent do these Chinese political scientists recognize this dilemma? Based on their individual experiences, how do they address this dilemma in the current globalized and digitalized world? ..PAT.-Unpublished Manuscript [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]