Educating for Diverse Democracy in East Asia: Minority Representation in Hong Kong Liberal Studies

• In Event: Roundtable Session 52
  In Roundtable Session: Global Perspectives in Multicultural Education

Abstract

Multicultural education is a relatively new field in much of Asia. However many studies document how educational materials impact perceptions of minority groups across diverse societies. This paper examines the unfolding of multicultural education in Asia through a study of the content in Hong Kong’s subject, “Liberal Studies.” It examines Liberal Studies textbooks to assess whether they align with the aim of enabling students to “appreciate…diversity in cultures and views in a pluralistic society.” The main objective is to analyze how ethnic and religious minorities in Hong Kong are represented in the textbooks. The perspective here is enhanced by analysis of ethnic and religious minorities in Hong Kong media, and findings from surveys of Liberal Studies teachers on textbook usage.

Author

• Liz Jackson, University of Hong Kong