Academic Ritual: A Study of the Doctoral Dissertation Defense in Mainland China

• In Event: 3429 - Section on Sociology of Education Refereed Roundtables (1 hour)
  In Refereed Roundtable 60min: 18. International Topics in Higher Education: China

Abstract

The doctoral dissertation defense is regarded as an academic ritual in which doctoral candidates are transformed into academics through an academic initiation rite. This study analyzes and interprets the academic rituals of three doctoral dissertation defenses using qualitative research methods in mainland China. It finds that symbolic power restrains the actions of participants in the academic ritual of the doctoral dissertation defense. The convergence and divergence of academic capital between doctoral candidates and defense committee members demonstrate not only a symmetry in quantity but also a matching of quality. Doctoral candidates and defense committee members also share strong or weak emotional entrainment with each other. Finally, the academic ritual of the doctoral dissertation defense is categorized into three types: academic-, instrumental-, and emotional-oriented in the control of symbolic power and in the game of academic capital and emotional entrainment.

Authors

• Zhiyong Zhu, Beijing Normal University

• Wenqi Zhang, Beijing Normal University