Admission requirements
Succesful completion of the BA1 course Inleiding tot het huidige China A: Politiek, economie en maatschappij
Alternatively, having read the books below:
Mitter, Rana (2008), Modern China – A Very Short Introduction, Oxford.: Oxford University Press.
Teufel Dreyer, June (2008), China’s Political System: Modernization and Tradition, New York et al.: Longman.
Naughton, Barry (2007), The Chinese Economy : Transition and Growth, Cambridge MA: The MIT Press.
Description
This course engages with the structural social and political developments that are taking place in China, both in the rural and urban areas. There will be a focus on the social effects of the processes which shape society, the media, and perceptions of China´s international role. Students will learn how the Chinese themselves cope with both opportunities and obstacles available for them in a changing society. Problems involved in governing and controlling China’s rapidly changing society will have our special attention.
Course objectives
Basic understanding of principles of social science research and its application in the Chinese context
Further expansion and structuring of knowledge about modern China, intended as a first step towards specialization
Developing general academic skills for study and research, including collecting, evaluating and applying information; the ability to read and listen critically and analytically; the ability to present verbally and in written form (active participation, class discussion, debating, writing term paper)
Develop an understanding of social activities and situations in China, including the skills to engage in informed discussion about them
Timetable
Check Timetable
Lecture course (13 weeks x 1 hour session) followed by seminar course (13 weeks x 1 hour session).
Mode of instruction
Lecture sessions, seminar sessions.
All sessions will be in English!
Course load
total study load: 140 hours
hours spent on taking lecture sessions: 13
preparation for seminar sessions: 60
time left for writing term paper (including reading / research): 67. This includes participation in a 6-hour course on academic writing
Assessment method
Presentation: 40%
Term paper: 60%
The language used for both presentation and term paper is English.
Grading will only take place once a student has fulfilled all requirements. Partial results cannot be compensated.
The final grade consists of the weighted average of both course elements. There is no resit for the presentation. A resit for the term paper is allowed if a student scores a non-passing grade (5,49 or lower) on the first attempt.
Blackboard
Yes, Blackboard For making available (additional) sources, lectures, handing in term papers via SafeAssign, communication.
Reading list
As specified on Blackboard.
Registration
Via uSis.