Module overview
After briefly considering the relevance of the traditional Chinese world order to contemporary Chinese political life, the module then focuses on two core themes: (1) Chinese domestic politics; (2) China’s external relations. Units on Chinese politics will address a variety of issues, including the origins of the Chinese communist revolution of 1949, the evolution of the party-state from 1949 to the present, the political economy of the Reform era, the roles of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) in the Chinese political system, and politics of Hong Kong and Taiwan. The sessions on China’s foreign relations will examine topics such as the PRC’s decision to enter the Korean War, the rise and fall of Sino-Soviet alliance, Sino-U.S. normalization, the debate over the rise of China, China’s role in the global economy, China and international security, as well as China and the environment.
Aims and Objectives
Learning Outcomes
Learning Outcomes
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Critically analyse as well as China’s relations with the rest of the world since 1949
- Identify and examine the key issues pertaining to the evolution of the Chinese party-state since 1949
- Use advanced analytical skills in order to employ political science and international relations theories and frameworks to analyze the most important questions and themes in Chinese politics
Syllabus
(1) Introduction and the Chinese view of world order
(2) The communist revolution and the Chinese politics under Mao, 1949-78
(3) The political economy of the Reform era since Deng, 1978-present
(4) The CCP, the PLA, and the Chinese political system
(5) Politics of Hong Kong and Taiwan
(6) China’s foreign relations during the Maoist era
(7) China’s foreign relations since the Deng era and the debate over the rise of China
(8) China and the world economy
(9) China and international security
(10) China and the environment
Learning and Teaching
Teaching and learning methods
2 hours of lectures per week. All will be recorded and posted on Blackboard. Lectures will be delivered either face to face or online only depending upon University and Public Health England Guidance at the time. Total of 24 hours of lectures (2 hours per week X 12 weeks) per module.
Weekly student participation in online discussion boards. 1 hour per week delivered asynchronously. (1 hour X 12 weeks)
| Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Independent Study | 114 |
| Teaching | 36 |
| Total study time | 150 |
Resources & Reading list
General Resources
Journals. • The China Journal; • The China Quarterly; • Journal of Contemporary China ; • Modern China; • Pacific Affairs; • China Information; • Asian Survey; • Pacific Review; • International Security; • International Studies Review
Textbooks
Shaun Breslin (ed.) (2010). Handbook of Chinese International Relations. New York & London: Routledge.
Johnston, Alastair and Ross, Robert (2006). New Directions in the Study of China’s Foreign Policy. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press.
Lieberthal, Kenneth (2004). Governing China: From Revolution Through Reform. New York & London: W.W.Norton & Company.
Tony Saich (2011). Governance and Politics of China. Basingstoke and New York: Palgrave Macmillan.
Lampton, David M. (2014). Following the Leader: Ruling China, from Deng Xiaoping to Xi Jinping. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press.
Assessment
Summative
Summative assessment description
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Research proposal | 25% |
| Discussion board activity | 25% |
| Research project | 50% |
Referral
Referral assessment description
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Exam | 100% |
Repeat Information
Repeat type: Internal & External