A new generation is poised to assume leadership in the People’s Republic of China according to Nora Sausmikat of the University of Duisburg.  Dr. Sausmikat’s March 30th  talk on “Political Generations and Political Reform in China” was cosponsored by the East Asian Center and the history department.
          The so-called “fourth generation,” now in their late forties and fifties, shared a formative experience in the Red Guard movement and as “sent-down” youth, who spent up to a decade  working in the countryside.  Since returning to the cities in the 1970s, they  have commonly been referred to as China’s “lost generation”. Other adjectives applied to them include “deceived,” “conscious,” “awkward,” “skeptical,” and “critical”.  They have alternately been villified as former hooligans and lauded as revolutionary heroes. 
          Within this generation Sausmikat finds prominent proponents of reformist thought across the political spectrum including new leftists, new rightists, and liberals. From this generation came leaders of the Democracy Wall of 1978-79 as well as supporters of the student uprising of 1989.  Others in the same generation, however, express support for the bloody “Tiananmen” crackdown.
          In spite of internal differences, Sausmikat finds this generation intellectually  lively and united in their endorsement of the concept of “democracy,” however diversely defined.   

          Seth D. Drewry, has been selected as recipient of this year’s Margaret  Morgan Coughlin Award in Asian History.  The award, which carries a stipend of $2,500 and airfare to Asia, was established by UVa sociology/anthro-pology professor emeritus Richard Coughlin in memory of his wife, the first woman to earn a UVa Ph.D. in Asian history.
          Eligibility for the annual award  is limited to graduating fourth year students with at least 12 hours of credit in Asian studies including 6 hours in Asian history who demonstrate a commitment to pursue Asia interests in graduate school, professional school, or a career.
          Mr. Drewry, a history and psychology major, has focused on Japanese history and language.  An applicant for the JET program for teaching English in Japan, he plans to apply his skills to a career in international relations and national security.
 

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             Fall 2001 Courses

             Weedon Grant Recipients