Minority students in China often receive preferential treatment for access to universities. However, very little is known about minority student experiences and perceptions on campus after they are accorded what's called "meaningful access" to university. The Mongols emerged as a distinct ethnic group in China starting in the 11th century and, in the centuries that followed, conquered a large part of the world. However, in modern times this nomadic people's influence has declined, and even their survival in China has been threatened. This decline is evidenced by the fact that increasing numbers of Mongols have abandoned their native language and traditional customs, especially those who live in cities. How do Mongol university students, who form the backbone of the Mongol intellectual community, identify themselves in a modern Chinese context? How do they react as university students to the way in which their culture is recognized and represented? Do Mongol students suffer from injustice in the cultural dimension of campus life? China's Mongols at University: Contesting Cultural Recognition seeks to answer these questions. Zhenzhou Zhao addresses these issues by comparing the university discourse (on minority culture policy, institutional structure and daily life) and the Mongol student discourse (concerning their experiences, perceptions of recognition, and dedication to self-representation on campus) Additionally, Gao compares three universities in China. Located in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Beijing, and Hubei Province, respectively, each of these universities represents one of three types of higher education accessible to minority students in China: universities located in ethnic areas, standard universities, and universities for nationalities. China's Mongols at University explores and discusses an intrinsic connection between marketization and globalization and the disadvantages faced by minority groups. This book argues that China must move from a policy of preferential tre

By Zhenzhou Zhao and Wing On Lee

Chapter 1 Series Editor's Foreword
Chapter 2 Foreword
Chapter 3 Acknowledgments
Chapter 4 1 China, the Mongols, and Ethnic Representation
Chapter 5 2 Recognition and Education: A New Perspective on Ethnic Inequality
Chapter 6 3 Minorities and Chinese Higher Education
Chapter 7 4 The Case of Inner Mongolia Normal University
Chapter 8 5 The Case of Beijing Normal University
Chapter 9 6 The Case of South China University for Nationalities
Chapter 10 7 Privileged and Cultural Recognition: Challenges Facing Higher Education
Chapter 11 8 Self-Reflection by the Author
12 Appendix
13 Bibliography
14 Index
15 About the Author