Distinguished Chinese Scholar Merle Goldman to Speak
Dr. Merle Goldman, a leading expert on Chinese affairs, will speak
about the challenges to China’s economic reform at 8 p.m. Monday, Oct.
16 in the Remick Heritage Center at Alma College.
Admission is free and open to the public.
Goldman is the author of more than 50 books and publications on Chinese history and culture, including China’s Intellectuals: Advise and Dissent (1981) and Sowing the Seeds of Democracy in China
(1994), which were honored as “notable books” of their respective years
by The New York Times Book Review. She is a regular commentator
for public television and nationally renowned publications, such as The
New York Times and New Republic.
“Dr. Goldman is a scholar who has taught and mentored many students in
the field of Chinese study,” said Dr. Liping Bu, a professor of history
at Alma College. “She has played an active role in U.S.-China
relations since the Nixon era and provides a firsthand observation of
the changes in China with an insightful perspective.”
Goldman’s most recent book, From Comrade to Citizen: The Struggle for Political Rights in China
(2005), has received positive reviews in the Wall Street Journal,
Foreign Affairs and China Quarterly. It was reviewed in China Quarterly
as “the best that has been published in English on the subject to this
day.” In this text, Goldman examines and explains the changing
relationship of the intellectual community in China with the people and
state. In addition, the book examines the progress of democracy
in China, as well as the efforts of individuals and groups working to
gain more political rights.
Goldman is Professor Emerita of History at Boston University and
Associate of the John K. Fairbank Center for East Asian Research at
Harvard University.
In addition to her public presentation, Goldman will participate in a seminar class on Tuesday, Oct. 17 at Alma College.
“She’s coming to talk to the students in the seminar on issues related
to China and will answer any follow-up questions from her
presentation,” said Professor Bu.
Posted: Thu, October 5th, 2006 at 8:43AM

