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Regular version of the site

Chinese Politics Part 1 – China and Political Science

2021/2022
Academic Year
ENG
Instruction in English
3
ECTS credits
Course type:
Elective course
When:
4 year, 1 module

Instructor

Course Syllabus

Abstract

This course is tailored for students majoring in Asian studies, who specialize in political and economic development of East Asia. The aim of this course is to familiarize students with political development of the PRC after 1978. In particular the course focuses on such topics, as the impact of politics on the trajectory of economic development in the PRC, role and structure of political elites, policy-making process, public participation in political life and political regime transformations in China. The course not only provides factual knowledge about politics in China, but also offers conceptual perspectives to study it, such as political culture, political elites, political economy, political regime and democratization, etc. The prerequisites for the this course include courses “Introduction to Political science” and “History of East and Southeast Asia,“ English language of B2 level. The course is a useful background for “Chinese Politics Part 2 – China and the World”. The course is conducted in a blended format. Students study the lecture materials online themselves at home and discuss selected issues during the seminars in the classroom.
Learning Objectives

Learning Objectives

  • To give students an overview of the major changes and transformations in Chinese politics since 1978.
  • To give students an overview of the major political institutions and policy-making process in the PRC.
  • To acquaint students with the basic trends of political elites’ and public’s participation in Chinese politics.
  • To develop students' skills in application of theoretical models to the analysis of political processes in the PRC.
Expected Learning Outcomes

Expected Learning Outcomes

  • Able to work with information related to politics and governance in the PRC: find, evaluate, systematize and use information necessary for solving scientific and professional problems from various sources.
  • Applies political economy perspective to the analysis of Chinese politics since 1978.
  • Communicates in English on topics related to politics and governance in the PRC.
  • Describes major political institutions in China, their functions and formation principles.
  • Describes the main patterns and trends in political regime dynamics in the PRC.
  • Prepares scientific and analytical reports, reviews, presentations, information briefs and explanatory notes on the issues of political development in the PRC.
  • Understands and analyses significant political problems and processes occurring in the PRC.
  • Uses the conceptual apparatus of political science, critically analyses the information related to Chinese politics.
Course Contents

Course Contents

  • Online component
  • Module 1: Models of the Chinese Political System and the Structure of the Chinese Party/State
  • Module 2: Elite Politics in China
  • Module 3: Policy Process in China
  • Module 4: Understanding Societal Engagement in Politics in China
  • Module 5: China’s Domestic and International Political Economy
  • Module 6: China’s Future: Democratization or “Flexible Authoritarianism”
Assessment Elements

Assessment Elements

  • non-blocking Exam
    The exam is a written test with different types of questions: multiple choice, questions with open answer, etc.
  • non-blocking Tests on required literature
    Lecturer evaluates students' comprehension of assigned readings by conducting a short test with multiple choice questions and questions with open answer. The component is calculated as an average grade achieved for all tests.
  • non-blocking Online component
    Students have to self-study an online course at the Coursera platform: Chinese Politics Part 1 – China and Political Science https://www.coursera.org/learn/chinesepolitics1. In order to get grade for the online course, students have to take four Quizes, fulfill two peer-reviewed assignment and take a final test (all on Coursera platform).
  • non-blocking In-class participation
    Lecturer evaluates students’ progress, including comprehension of online lectures and assigned readings, as well as contribution to discussions. The component is calculated as an average grade achieved on all seminars.
Interim Assessment

Interim Assessment

  • 2021/2022 1st module
    0.2 * Tests on required literature + 0.2 * Online component + 0.2 * In-class participation + 0.4 * Exam
Bibliography

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

  • Guo, S., & Stradiotto, G. A. (2018). Prospects for Democratic Transition in China. Journal of Chinese Political Science, 23(1), 47–61. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11366-017-9465-z
  • William A. Joseph. (2014). Politics in China : An Introduction, Second Edition: Vol. Second edition. Oxford University Press.

Recommended Additional Bibliography

  • Chen, J., & Lu, C. (2011). Democratization and the Middle Class in China: The Middle Class’s Attitudes toward Democracy. Political Research Quarterly, 64(3), 705–719. https://doi.org/10.1177/1065912909359162
  • Heilmann, S. (2008). From Local Experiments to National Policy: The Origins of China’s Distinctive Policy Process. China Journal, 59, 1–30. https://doi.org/10.1086/tcj.59.20066378