Sociology of Emotions in China and Contemporary Issues
Language: English and Spanish
The study of emotions in Chinese sociology has long illuminated the intricacies of everyday life, with foundational works by scholars such as Fei Xiaotong, who examined the social implications of “Mianzi” (Face) and “Guanxi” (Relationships), and Yan Yunxiang, who explored the emotional dynamics of rural-urban migration. These studies set the stage for understanding how emotions are integral to social structures and cultural practices.
This special session, “Sociology of Emotions in China and Contemporary Issues”, aims to build upon this legacy by examining the role of emotions in contemporary Chinese society, and to contribute to the global conversation on emotions in the Anthropocene. As China faces the challenges of the Anthropocene, from rapid urbanization to environmental concerns, the emotional fabric of society is a critical lens through which to view social change.
We are inviting scholars and researchers to engage with themes that include the interplay of emotions with social transformation, the evolution of emotional expression within cultural narratives, the impact of emotional labor in the workforce, the dynamics of emotional governance and policy, and the complex relationship between emotions and social stratification and so on. This session seeks to explore how emotional responses and expressions are shaped by and, in turn, influence the rapid changes in contemporary Chinese society. By examining these issues, we aim to contribute to a global dialogue on the significance of emotions in the Anthropocene era, reflecting the reality and depth of emotional experiences in China today.