PO222-30 Politics of Contemporary China
Introductory description
Home to nearly a quarter of the world's population with one of the fastest growing and largest economies in the world, China's rise to Great Power status is one of the most important issues in our time. But while the focus on China's international interactions might point to China's increasing power and strength, an analysis of domestic politics reveals a ruling communist party facing continued challenges in justifying its continued monopoly of power, and dealing with the economic and social dislocations that rapid economic development has brought. This module examines the complex political, economic and social transformations in China from the times of Mao Zedong to the present. It starts by embedding the study of the contemporary in a knowledge of China’s recent history, with a focus on the consequences of China’s revolutionary past for the current political order.
Module aims
Provide students with a thorough overview of how government and politics are organised and function in the People’s Republic of China
Introduce students to the complex and distinct nature of Chinese politics, along with their historical and theoretical basis
Locate the theoretical debates on the nature of the Chinese political system within the contexts of both contemporary Chinese politics and modern Chinese history
Outline syllabus
This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.
TBC
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module, students should be able to:
- To be familiar with the main foundations of the Chinese political structure
- To understand the functioning of power in the Chinese party-state
- To have an awareness of the major policy debates in Chinese politics
- To be familiar with a wide range of literature on Chinese politics
- To be able to critically analyse complex ideas, both orally and in writing, with relation to Chinese politics
- To develop IT and research skills through the use of the library and electronic resources
- To develop the ability to work both as a group and independently
Subject specific skills
TBC
Transferable skills
- Communication skills
- Lateral thinking skills
- Skills in the distillation and application of complex information and ideas
- Critical thinking
- Analytical skills
- Independent research skills
- Problem solving
- Time management
- Information Technology
- Skills in academic practice
- Awareness of, and sensitivity to, diversity
- Decision making
- Educational self-awareness skills
Study time
Type | Required |
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Lectures | 22 sessions of 1 hour (7%) |
Seminars | 22 sessions of 1 hour (7%) |
Private study | 256 hours (85%) |
Total | 300 hours |
Private study description
TBA
Costs
No further costs have been identified for this module.
You must pass all assessment components to pass the module.
Students can register for this module without taking any assessment.
Assessment group C2
Weighting | Study time | |
---|---|---|
SWOT analysis | 20% | |
This exercise covers the part of the module that focuses on domestic dynamics (with the caveat that the domestic can never be totally isolated from the international). It will be completed at the beginning of the second term, with submission due the week after the seminar activity. The students come to class with a SWOT analysis of the Chinese Communist Party’s ability and right to rule. Students go into small groups and have five minutes each explain talk through their SWOT. This is followed by a period of general discussion in their small groups. They subsequently then have the chance to adapt their SWOT analysis based on the responses to their initial positions, and also listening to the choice of others. The students subsequently submit the SWOT supported by a text of no more than 800 words that explains their reasoning behind their SWOT analysis, including a reflection on how, if at all, this changed as a result of the seminar discussions. For example, what did others say that made them rethink? Were there any alternative positions that they considered but ultimately rejected? If so, why? Is there anything they would have done differently when presenting their SWOT analysis? Guidance on the preparation of a a SWOT analysis will be provided in classes, and a mock seminar exercise will be take place in Term 1 to prepare the students. Students who are unable to attend the seminar must apply for consideration through the Departments Mitigating Circumstances Processes. |
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Document Analysis | 30% | |
For each seminar, the reading list will include at least one original document (in full or in part) produced by the Chinese Communist Party, the Chinese state, a party or state affiliated research organisation or media group. These will be provided in the official English translation of the text. Where appropriate, it will also include a report or statement produced by a foreign government, or by a non-Chinese lobbying think tank/research institution. The intention is twofold. First, to ensure that students are not only given external analyses of Chinese politics and international relations, but also understand indigenous arguments, positions and explanations. Second, to encourage students to think about the political context and objectives of what they are reading. At the beginning of term three, the students will provide an analysis of one of the documents they have studied throughout the year. In no more than 1200 words, this will explain not just the argument in the document, but also To help prepare the students, a seminar early in the first term will be devoted to documentary analysis, covering a topic relevant to that part of the curriculum. Students will be able to chose any of the documents provided on the reading list for the academic year except for the ones discussed in this special documentary analysis seminar. Students will also be expected to use original documents when preparing their group presentations for weeks 16-20 inclusive. The deadline for submission will be week twenty one. |
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Online Examination | 50% | |
One question to be answered in one hour 30 mins. The questions will be on the part of the module that deals with China’s international relations and global role and impact. Students will be allowed to consult their notes etc in writing the essay, but there will be no expectation of providing full references or a bibliogrpahy. The aim is to make this less a test of memory and of time management and more about analysis and critique and the ability to answer the specific question at hand concisely and under time constraint, as this is a key transferable skill students will be required to demonstrate in future employment. ~Platforms - AEP
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Feedback on assessment
Feedback will be provided on the PAIS feedback forms.
Courses
This module is Core optional for:
- Year 2 of UPOA-M100 Undergraduate Politics
This module is Optional for:
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UECA-3 Undergraduate Economics 3 Year Variants
- Year 2 of L100 Economics
- Year 2 of L100 Economics
- Year 2 of L100 Economics
-
UECA-LM1D Undergraduate Economics, Politics and International Studies
- Year 2 of LM1D Economics, Politics and International Studies
- Year 2 of LM1D Economics, Politics and International Studies
-
UPHA-V7ML Undergraduate Philosophy, Politics and Economics
- Year 2 of V7ML Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Tripartite)
- Year 2 of V7ML Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Tripartite)
- Year 2 of V7ML Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Tripartite)
- Year 2 of UPOA-M100 Undergraduate Politics
-
UPOA-M16A Undergraduate Politics and International Studies
- Year 2 of M16A Politics and International Studies
- Year 2 of M16A Politics and International Studies
- Year 2 of M16A Politics and International Studies
- Year 2 of UPOA-M169 Undergraduate Politics and International Studies with Chinese (3 year)
- Year 2 of UPOA-M162 Undergraduate Politics, International Studies and Quantitative Methods
This module is Option list A for:
- Year 2 of UPOA-M168 Undergraduate Politics and International Studies with Chinese
- Year 2 of UPOA-M169 Undergraduate Politics and International Studies with Chinese (3 year)
- Year 2 of UPOA-ML13 Undergraduate Politics and Sociology
-
UPOA-M163 Undergraduate Politics, International Studies and French
- Year 2 of M163 Politics, International Studies and French
- Year 3 of M163 Politics, International Studies and French
-
UPOA-M164 Undergraduate Politics, International Studies and German
- Year 2 of M164 Politics, International Studies and German
- Year 3 of M164 Politics, International Studies and German
-
UPOA-M166 Undergraduate Politics, International Studies and Hispanic Studies
- Year 2 of M166 Politics, International Studies and Hispanic Studies
- Year 3 of M166 Politics, International Studies and Hispanic Studies
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UPOA-M165 Undergraduate Politics, International Studies and Italian
- Year 2 of M165 Politics, International Studies and Italian
- Year 3 of M165 Politics, International Studies and Italian
This module is Option list C for:
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UHIA-VM11 Undergraduate History and Politics
- Year 2 of VM11 History and Politics
- Year 2 of VM11 History and Politics
- Year 2 of VM11 History and Politics
This module is Option list D for:
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UHIA-VM11 Undergraduate History and Politics
- Year 2 of VM11 History and Politics
- Year 2 of VM11 History and Politics
- Year 2 of VM11 History and Politics
- Year 2 of UHIA-VM13 Undergraduate History and Politics (with a term in Venice)
This module is Option list E for:
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UPHA-V7MW Undergraduate Politics, Philosophy and Law
- Year 2 of V7MW Politics, Philosophy and Law
- Year 2 of V7MW Politics, Philosophy and Law