Chinese Politics and Society
| Module title | Chinese Politics and Society |
|---|---|
| Module code | POC3133 |
| Academic year | 2023/4 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Dr Catherine Owen (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 15 |
|---|
Module description
Arguably a new global superpower, China has become one of the most important actors in world affairs in the last decade. It is the most populous country in the world and has the world’s second largest economy. An understanding of the processes and principles that drive the behaviour of this significant and compelling state is therefore essential for students of politics and international relations in the 21st Century. Divided into two parts, this course will give an overview of 20th Century Chinese political history before introducing you to the central themes and concepts of Chinese domestic politics, social trends and foreign policy. No prior knowledge of the region is assumed; however, students will be expected to have an understanding of the basic categories of politics and international relations.
Module aims - intentions of the module
This module will introduce you to the history, internal politics and foreign policy of China. First, it aims to provide you with the historical background and conceptual tools to analyse political and social processes in China. By the end of the module, you will be able to understand how the doctrine of Communism has evolved in China over the past 70 years; evaluate the structure of family, gender and social relations; assess the ways in which rapid economic growth is transforming society; and understand the key principles driving Chinese foreign policy. Second, it will acquaint you with the central concepts and analytical frameworks associated with China, including Confucianism, ‘socialism with Chinese characteristics’, peaceful rise, and hukou. Thirdly, it will introduce you to concepts, perspectives and processes that will be useful in international relations and comparative politics more broadly, including the regional organisations that China engages with, as well as domestic processes such as modernization and urbanization. Finally, it aims to develop a sensitivity towards the differences between Western and non-Western worldviews; by the end of the module, you will also be able to attune yourself to hidden assumptions in Western and Chinese scholarly and journalistic reports on the region.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Comprehend and evaluate the modern historical contexts for contemporary events and processes in China.
- 2. Comprehend and evaluate a range of key concepts and theoretical approaches to China.
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 3. Critically employ a range of theoretical frameworks to a variety of empirical cases.
- 4. Critically analyze theoretical and empirical materials.
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 5. Construct a reasoned and logical argument supported by evidence.
- 6. Communicate effectively through well-structured speech and writing
- 7. Work independently and with peers to achieve goals.
Syllabus plan
It is anticipated that the module will cover a range of topics on Chinese politics and society including the following:
- Dynasties and Imperialism in Chinese History -1912
- The Rise and Consolidation of Communism
- China during the Cold War
- Deng Xiaoping and Economic Restructuring: 1976-1989
- The peaceful rise of China as a superpower
- The Chinese Communist Party Today
- Confucianism, Gender and Family Structure
- Urbanization, Migration and Social Mobility
- Nationalism, Ethnicities and Ethnic Relations: From Tibet to Xinjiang
- Chinese Foreign Policy
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 22 | 128 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning & Teaching Activities | 22 | 11 seminars, each 2 hours long |
| Guided Independent Study | 128 | Private study students are expected to read suggested texts and make notes prior to seminar sessions. They are also expected to read widely to complete their coursework assignments. More specifically, students are expected to devote at least: 58 hours to directed reading; 6 hours for completing the formative essay plan; 24 hours on completing the presentation; around 40 hours on completing the essay. |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay plan | 1 page | 1-7 | Written |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 60 | 2,000 words | 1-7 | Written |
| Policy briefing | 40 | 1,750 words | 1-7 | Written |
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | Essay (2,000 words) (60%) | 1-7 | August/September reassessment period |
| Policy briefing | Policy briefing (1,750 words) (40%) | 1-7 | August/September reassessment period |
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Bell, Daniel, The China Model: Political Meritocracy and the Limits of Democracy (Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 2015).
Bell, Daniel, China's New Confucianism: Politics and Everyday Life in a Changing Society, (Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 2008).
Bovingdon, Gardner, The Uyghurs: Strangers in their Own Land (New York: Columbia University Press, 2010).
Breslin, Shaun, “China and the Global Order: Signaling Threat or Friendship?” International Affairs, Vol. 89, No. 3 (2013).
Brown, Kerry, CEO China: The Rise of Xi Jinping (London: I.B. Taurus, 2016).
Chan, Wing Chan and Li Zhang, “The Hukou System and Rural-Urban Migration in China: Processes and Change”, The China Quarterly, 1999.
Chin, Gregory and Ramesh Thakur, “Will China Change the Rules of the Global Order? The Washington Quarterly, Vol. 33, No. 4 (October 2010).
Fei Xiaotong, From the Soil: The Foundations of Chinese Society, (Oakland, CA: University of California Press, 1992).
Lanteigne, Marc, Chinese Foreign Policy: An Introduction, 3rd Edition, (Abingdon: Routledge, 2016).
Ong, Lynette, “State-Led Urbanization in China: Skyscrapers, Land Revenue and ‘Concentrated Villages’”, The China Quarterly, Vol. 217 (March 2014).
Saich, Tony, Governance and Politics of China, 4th Edition, (Basingstoke: Palgrave MacMillan, 2015).
Spence, Jonathan, The Search for Modern China (London: W W Norton and Co, 1991).
Spence, Jonathan, Mao Zedong: A Life (New York: Penguin, 1999).
Tang, Wenfang, Populist Authoritarianism: Chinese Political Culture and Regime Sustainability (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2016).
Yeh, Emily, Taming Tibet: Landscape Transformation and the Gift of Chinese Development, (Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press, 2013).
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
This course will require you to keep up to date with political developments in China, not only from Western/European perspectives, but also from Chinese perspectives. This means reading widely across different news and commentary platforms.
Western/European perspectives (aside from the standard reputable Western media sources, you might like to browse the following)
The Diplomat: http://thediplomat.com/
China-US Focus: http://www.chinausfocus.com/
ChinaFile: https://www.chinafile.com/
Black Livity China: https://blacklivitychina.com/
Chuang: http://chuangcn.org/
I also recommend signing up for the following newsletters on Chinese affairs:
Sinocism: https://sinocism.com/
Axios China: https://www.axios.com/newsletters/
Chinese perspectives
Xinhua: http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/
The People’s Daily: http://en.people.cn/
The Global Times: http://www.globaltimes.cn/
South China Morning Post: http://www.scmp.com/frontpage/international
Caixin Global: https://www.caixinglobal.com/
Podcasts
Sinica Podcast: https://supchina.com/series/sinica/
China History Podcast: https://www.teacup.media/
Belt and Road Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-belt-and-road-podcast/id1419143614
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 6 |
| Available as distance learning? | Yes |
| Origin date | 09/01/2021 |
| Last revision date | 10/02/2023 |
