Global China: Politics and institutions

2024/2025

Content, progress and pedagogy of the module

Objectives 

The objective of the module is: 

  • To provide students with a basic understanding of Chinese history, culture and contemporary political and social development and to introduce the students to a selection of relevant theoretical perspectives commonly applied in Chinese area studies 

  • To provide the students with a solid understanding of China’s foreign policy and international relations linking this to domestic socio-political development as well as contemporary Chinese self-understanding and worldview(s) and addressing how and why China has reached its status within the international system today 

  • To allow students to work independently with China-related issues and enable them to analyze contemporary Chinese society and international engagement from an interdisciplinary perspective. 

Contents 

The module includes themes within China’s socio-political transformation, including traditions in China’s political and social history and the transitions in Chinese society after the beginning of the reform period, thereby informing a discussion of Chinese self-perception, Chinese perceptions of the world and global perceptions of China. This is used as the basis for understanding Chinese foreign policy and China’s engagement in global institutions, applying Chinese as well as Western perspectives and theoretical frameworks, and discussing how digital platforms affect domestic and international political engagement.  

Learning objectives

Knowledge

  • Major trends in Chinese history and socio-political development as well as Chinese culture and worldview(s) 

  • Selected theoretical approaches within the field of Chinese area studies  

  • Chinese contemporary foreign policy and global engagement 

  • Awareness of different interpretations of the political and social development trajectories of contemporary China 

Skills

  • Can apply their knowledge within the module’s subject areas to select theories that serve the analytical purpose and at the same time remain critical to these theories. 

  • Can identify and evaluate relevant English language information on contemporary Chinese politics and society including information from digital sources. 

  • Can analyse, interpret and contextualise China’s international engagement from an interdisciplinary and comparative perspective 

Competences

  • Can reflect and argue on the basis of scientific knowledge while respecting different perspectives 

  • Can use their understanding of contemporary Chinese society and global engagement to work professionally in a China-related context. 

Type of instruction

The module consists of lectures and seminars as well as exercises and student contributions. 

Exam

Exams

Name of examGlobal China: Politics and institutions
Type of exam
Active participation/continuous evaluation
The requirements for active participation will be determined by the module coordinator.


Any re-exam will be an 8-hour individual written exam. Maximum length: 3 standard pages.
ECTS5
AssessmentPassed/Not Passed
Type of gradingInternal examination
Criteria of assessmentThe criteria of assessment are stated in the Examination Policies and Procedures

Facts about the module

Danish titleGlobal China: Politics and institutions
Module code2022IR23
Module typeCourse
Duration1 semester
SemesterAutumn
ECTS5
Language of instructionEnglish
Location of the lectureCampus Aalborg
Responsible for the module

Organisation

Education ownerMaster of Arts (MA) in Culture, Communication and Globalization
Study BoardStudy Board of Politics and Society
DepartmentDepartment of Politics and Society
FacultyFaculty of Social Sciences and Humanities