The theme for the 2012 conference is "Modernity and Cultural Development: the Changing China in a Globalized and Digitized World"

China is now facing the challenges not only from the outside–a penetrating western cultural influence, but more from its own inside–lack of social cohesion from the weakened traditional value system due to fast-changing social and economic transformation in the process of industrialization, urbanization, and overall modernization. A growing consensus is that social stability does not hinge on economic growth alone and cultural adaption to change is crucial to sustained economic growth and political stability. Well-guided cultural reform and development can be powerful contributors to social justice and equality essential for the construction of a harmonious society, and they can also enhance China's effort to reach out to the world to boost its soft power: the richness of cultural heritage as well as the nation's refreshed image through the global media and its unique publicity medium, over 300 Confucius Institutes that spread out across the world.

To view the Conference Program, visit: http://www.library.pitt.edu/libraries/eal/ACPSS_Conference_2012_Program....

ACPSS or/and USCS affiliated member with paper: $90
Non-ACPSS or non-USCS affiliated member with paper: $180
Student with paper: $80
Attendance with no paper: $200

University of Pittsburgh faculty and students are welcome to attend the opening ceremony and panel sessions free of charge. Reception dinner will be fee-based, $35 per person payable on site.

Registration fees can be paid in check, or money order, or cash at the registration desk during the registration time on October 5, 2012.

You may also mail your check or money order (NOT cash) to Dr. Yunqiu Zhang, ACPSS Treasurer, 210 Heritage Creek Way, Greensboro, NC 27405, U.S.A. Your check or money order should be made payable to "Association of Chinese Professors of Social Sciences in the U.S."