Editor's Introduction:
by Hazel Sara Greenberg

What is Spotlight on China? When we received funding from the US Dept of Education Title VI program for this project, we decided to develop a resource guide which would attempt to update the available classroom-ready materials about China. Several important decisions had to be made. Much of the current material developed about China tends to either focus on ancient China or very contemporary issues. Our previous curriculum guide, Spotlight on Confucius, paid service to the strong tradition of philosophy in Chinese society. However, we felt that a guide as comprehensive as Spotlight on China could not ignore the classical tradition. Therefore, we decided to divide the new project into four major segments: The Classical Tradition, The Popular Tradition, An Assault on Tradition and The New Traditions. Our objective was to help teachers and students contemplate the sweep and range of Chinese history from 500 years before the Christian era to the death of Deng Xiaoping in 1997. In this two and one half millenia, the Chinese people have developed a culture and civilization which has influenced all of East Asia, as well as other parts of the world. When we speak of Chinese traditions, which of the "traditions" do we mean? Issues in Global Education will focus on some of the religious concerns, literature and food practices which developed among the Chinese people - what we call the "popular tradition." Many scholars consider these "traditions" as culturally potent as the more commonly known emphasis on Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism. Much of how the people of China were able to adapt an intellectual grounding can be seen in the popular tradition. Additionally, this popular tradition has been a force for change among the millions of Chinese both in China and throughout the diaspora. The introduction by Peter Seybolt, Professor of History and Director of the Asian Studies Program, University of Vermont, Burlington Vermont, includes the rationale for the inclusion of all the material in that section. Our space limits us to including only a few selections, as well as suggestions for classroom use. These materials, as well as that found in the other sections of Spotlight on China: Traditions Old and New can help teachers in many discipline areas as they teach more about China in their classrooms. Just a final note about Spotlight on China. The American Forum is pleased that the curriculum guide reached Honorable Mention for the Buchanan Prize of the Association of Asian Studies.