Dr. Cockroftrecounts stories of teaching US Government in the People’s Republic of China

Kerrville, TX – Schreiner University associate professor of history and political science, Dr. Jeannette W. Cockroft, is the co-editor of a book released earlier this year entitled Narrative Inquiries from Fulbright Lecturers: Cross-Cultural Connections in Higher Education. Published by Routledge Press, this collection of essays explores the challenges and adventures faced by nine Fulbright lecturers teaching in various parts of China during the 2016-2017 academic year.

Cockroft’s essay, “Teaching American Government in the People’s Republic of China” recounts her experiences teaching American government at Southwest University in Chongqing, China. During summer 2018 ,Cockroft was one of 50 international faculty chosen to participate in Southwest University’s first Global Immersion Program. Southwest University has between 50,000 and 80,000 students.

“One of my students, a graduate student in the College of Political Science and Public Administration at Southwest University,commented that all Chinese students should have the opportunity to study American government,”said Cockroft.“ If the Chinese better understood the decision-making process of the US, and Americans better understood how China worked, relations between the two countries would be much improved.”

The Fulbright Scholar program has programs for U.S. scholars, for visiting scholars and for U.S. institutions. It is described on the website as a program of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Its exchange programs extend almost all continents and a lengthy list of countries.