JDH Special Issue on China

We are pleased to announce the release of Special Issue No. 5 on China, published in the Journal of Digital History. This special issue is the result of the “New Foundations in Chinese Digital Studies” Conference, held in June 2022 under the auspices of the “Elites, Networks, and Power in Modern China” (ENP-China) project in Aix-en-Provence.

The Journal of Digital History offers an innovative, multilayered format that enables historians to seamlessly integrate the data, code, and methodological explanations underlying their analyses directly into their narratives. This approach enhances the reading experience without causing disruption and provides readers with multiple possible paths through the content.

The special issue consists of five papers, which will be progressively published, showcasing the diverse ways digital methods can be applied to Chinese studies. Thanks to the tremendous efforts of the authors, editors, and peer reviewers over the past months, we are excited to release the first two articles of this special issue. Below is a brief description of each paper:

1. Paul Vierthaler: Applies computational analysis to detect intertextuality in the late Ming novel Jinpingmei 金瓶梅 (Plum in the Golden Vase), revealing its literary influences and impacts on other works, such as Shuihu Zhuan 水滸傳 (The Water Margin) and Cinüe 詞謔.

2. Elisabeth Kaske & Florian Kessler: Use Monte Carlo simulations and network analysis to examine the Qing mandarinate through the lens of a popular game, challenging the narrative of meritocracy by highlighting the roles of hereditary privilege and office purchases in Qing society.

3. Christian Henriot: Utilizes natural language processing (NLP), network analysis, and topic modeling on the Chinese newspaper Shenbao to investigate newsworthiness in early Chinese journalism, uncovering the prominence of a small literati elite amidst the broader population.

4. Cécile Armand: Applies topic modeling and NLP techniques to analyze how the Rotary Club of China leveraged the periodical press in Shanghai to promote its activities and present itself as a public-spirited entity committed to social welfare and international peace.

5. Marylin Levine & Heidi Yu Huang: Combine quantitative analysis and network analysis with biographical insights to study Chinese students in Europe, exploring how individual and group dynamics influenced their paths toward revolution or academic careers amid increasing politicization after 1927.

Despite their diverse topics, all the articles share three key characteristics: first, a penchant for experimentation and a remarkable ingenuity in devising solutions to overcome common challenges; second, a critical approach to the use of digital tools and methods; and third, a strong interdisciplinary engagement.

To learn more, see the introductory article by the editor, Cécile Armand.