Chinese Area Studies I: Traditions and Transformations

2024/2025

Content, progress and pedagogy of the module

Objectives

To provide the students with a solid understanding of China’s contemporary political, economic and social development and to introduce the students to a selection of relevant theoretical perspectives commonly applied in Chinese area studies. The module will allow the students to work independently with China-related issues and enable them to analyze contemporary Chinese society 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.
  • Current issues in Chinese political, cultural, economic, and social development
  • Theories and methods commonly applied in the study of contemporary Chinese politics and society. 

Learning objectives

Knowledge

  • possess knowledge of selected theoretical approaches within the field of Chinese area studies and can reflect on these on a scientific basis
  • understand major trends in Chinese political, economic and social development as well as Chinese culture
  • are aware of different interpretations of the political and social development 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 relevant English language information on contemporary Chinese politics and society.
  • can analyse, interpret and contextualise China’s political, economic and social development 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 to work professionally in a Chinese context and interact with people in Chinese institutions and companies.

Type of instruction

The module consists of lectures and seminars, possibly with exercises and student contributions.

Exam

Exams

Name of examChinese Area Studies I: Traditions and Transformations
Type of exam
Oral exam
The examination for Chinese Area Studies I: Traditions and Transformations is an internally assessed individual oral examination. The examination will take the form of a conversation between the student and the examiners about a question posed within the syllabus of the module.

Duration of examination: 20 min, including grading and announcement of result.

Preparation time: 20 minutes
ECTS5
Assessment7-point grading scale
Type of gradingInternal examination
Criteria of assessmentThe criteria of assessment are stated in the Examination Policies and Procedures

Facts about the module

Danish titleChinese Area Studies I: Traditions and Transformations
Module codeDIRES005
Module typeCourse
Duration1 semester
SemesterAutumn
ECTS5
Language of instructionEnglish
Location of the lectureCampus Aalborg
Responsible for the module

Organisation

Study BoardStudy Board of Politics and Society
DepartmentDepartment of Politics and Society
FacultyFaculty of Social Sciences and Humanities