POL20260 Introduction to Chinese Politics

Academic Year 2020/2021

This course aims to introduce students to the political system of the People’s Republic of China and the politics of its ruling entity, the Communist Party of China (CPC). The course first critically engages the CPC’s historiography, positioning it firmly within the 20th century. From this foundation, it then examines several of the core concepts through which the CPC s rule over the country is to be understood in the present. Such an understanding allows us, finally, to interrogate how the CPC governs China and how we can interrogate these policies moving forward.

It is taught by Mr Axel Dessein from King's College London.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

This course intends to provide students with a critical outlook on the common narrative surrounding the CPC and its rule over China. On successful completion of this module, students will be able to: understand how to approach the CPC; explain the origins and historical development of China’s contemporary political system; to describe the inner workings of the CPC and how it relates to the Chinese state; to assess both the sustained basis of legitimacy and future challenges to the CPC’s rule over China.

Indicative Module Content:

Content will include: the history of the CPC since 1949, with consideration of the decades that went before; key concepts through which to understand Chinese politics; the organisational make-up of party-state-military relations in China, as well as those between the party-state and society; ideology and policymaking within China; key issues within Chinese politics at present, as well as future challenges to the CPC’s rule.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

22

Autonomous Student Learning

100

Total

122

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures; class discussions; independent research and critical/reflective writing (assessed through an essay). 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Examination: 2 hours end-of-term exam 2 hour End of Trimester Exam Yes Graded No

60

Essay: Essay Unspecified n/a Graded No

40


Carry forward of passed components
No
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Summer No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Feedback will be provided to students within 20 working days of the deadline for the assignment in accordance with university policy.