Happy Lunar New Year from the USC US-China Institute!
Solimine, "If you build it...: A "different story" of the re-emergence of baseball in China, the people who play it, and why," 2006
USC thesis in Cultural Anthropology.
August 21, 2009
Kaitlin Solimine, M.A
Abstract (Summary)
In 2004 an estimated 156,000 people played baseball in China (Washburn, "In Search of Baseball's Yao Ming")---up from 10,000 in 2001 (Coffey, "Fine China: Nation of a Billion Takes Best Swing at Baseball"). This paper addresses this growing popularity, as framed by globalization. Using historical sources and modern-day ethnographic research, the work examines why baseball is experiencing a revival in China and whether or not baseball's rise is the result of a more homogenized world or if baseball in China speaks to a unique set of social, political and economic mores---a "different story" than that in other nations. The narrative reinforces the hypothesis that globalization does not imply homogenization; in fact, there are significant local redefinitions that occur when an otherwise foreign sport is imported abroad.
Advisor: Cooper, Eugene
Featured Articles
January 4, 2024
We note the passing of many prominent individuals who played some role in U.S.-China affairs, whether in politics, economics or in helping people in one place understand the other.
Events
Thursday, March 21, 2024 - 4:00pm PST
Ying Zhu looks at new developments for Chinese and global streaming services.
Tuesday, March 19, 2024 - 4:00pm
David Zweig examines China's talent recruitment efforts, particularly towards those scientists and engineers who left China for further study. U.S. universities, labs and companies have long brought in talent from China. Are such people still welcome?