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DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2018/2019

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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures : Asian Studies

Undergraduate Course: Politics and Policy in Contemporary China (ASST10126)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Literatures, Languages and Cultures CollegeCollege of Humanities and Social Science
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 10 (Year 4 Undergraduate) AvailabilityAvailable to all students
SCQF Credits20 ECTS Credits10
SummaryThis course aims to introduce students to various aspects of contemporary Chinese politics and policy. Students will study the different aspects of the Chinese state building an understanding, for example, of the key institutions, the policy making process and the importance of ideology in the running of what is an increasingly dynamic political, social and economic entity. Topics discussed will include Mao's legacy, the Chinese Communist Party, regional relations, and understanding the policy process. The course will complement existing courses offered through Asian Studies. In particular it will work with Modern Chinese History and Thought by complementing an understanding of modern China's intellectual transformation with an understanding of the functional elements of the Chinese state and contemporary issues in Chinese politics.

All students will be given a formative feedback exercise that will be helpful for the assessment for this course and students' general ongoing academic development.

Please note that places on this course are strictly limited and that priority will be given to students taking Chinese honours.
Course description Topics covered in the course include:
- Government and Party institutions
- Ideology and legitimacy
- Theorising the Chinese State
- Regional politics
- Human rights and civil society
- Social protection policy
- Food safety and security
- China's international politics
- The Beijing Consensus?

What you can expect from the course:
An in depth study of different aspects of the politics and policy making processes in the People's Republic of China. The course engages with academic debates on politics and policy in the PRC and how they relate to current developments. Classes follow a mixed format of short talks, discussions and group work.

What is expected of you:
To prepare the requested reading and contribute to discussions in class.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements Places on this course are strictly limited and priority will be given to students taking Chinese honours.
Additional Costs Essential core texts
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisitesVisiting students should usually have at least 3 years of Chinese language training for entry to this course.
High Demand Course? Yes
Course Delivery Information
Academic year 2018/19, Available to all students (SV1) Quota:  0
Course Start Semester 1
Timetable Timetable
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) Total Hours: 200 ( Lecture Hours 22, Summative Assessment Hours 2, Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 172 )
Assessment (Further Info) Written Exam 40 %, Coursework 60 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Additional Information (Assessment) Report (student selected topic): 1000 words - 20%
Essay (topics provided): 2500-3000 words - 40%
Centrally timetabled exam (2 hour paper) - 40%
Feedback Not entered
Exam Information
Exam Diet Paper Name Hours & Minutes
Main Exam Diet S1 (December)2:00
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. Recall and summarise key institutions and themes related to contemporary Chinese politics. Explain the functions of core parts of the Chinese state.
  2. Summarise and evaluate selected academic debates related to Chinese politics and policy.
  3. Find, compare and criticise sources related to Chinese politics.
  4. Formulate arguments based on academic literature and source material.
  5. Tailor their arguments and findings for particular audiences through oral presentation and writing.
Reading List
Core texts which students will be expected to use often:
Dreyer, June Teufel, China¿s Political System: Modernization and Tradition (Longman, 2010)
Lieberthal, K, Governing China: From Revolution through Reform, (Norton, 1995)
Saich, Tony, Governance and Politics of China, 3rd Edition (Palgrave, 2010)
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills Not entered
KeywordsAS Pol Cont Chi
Contacts
Course organiserDr Daniel Hammond
Tel:
Email: Daniel.Hammond@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMrs Vivien MacNish Porter
Tel: (0131 6)50 3528
Email: vivien.macnish-porter@ed.ac.uk
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