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This module aims to provide students with a critical introduction and review of China's political development from 1949 to today. This module is designed around two core blocks of study:
The first block looks at China's principal political institutions. They include the Communist Party, the government (State Council), the legislature (the National People's Congress) and the military (the People's Liberation Army).
The second block examines the socio-political issues and challenges the country is facing in its ongoing development. They range from the prospect of democratisation, the growth of civil society, environmental degradation and public health policy, corruption, tensions with ethnic minorities nationalism and national reunification with Taiwan, irredentism and territorial disputes with neighbouring countries,. China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the 'new Cold War’ between China and the United States.
A theme running through various lectures of this module is to ask why post-Mao China has performed better than many other authoritarian regimes in achieving both economic growth and political stability and acquiring international influence, even though China faces numerous mounting development challenges and remains authoritarian.
Private Study 128
Contact Hours: 22
Total: 150
Compulsory to the following courses:
• BA in Politics and International Relations with a Year in the Asia-Pacific
Optional to the following courses:
• BA (Hons) Politics and International Relations
• BA (Hons) Politics and International Relations (Bi-diplôme)
• BA (Hons) Politics and International Relations with a Language
• BA (Hons) Politics and International Relations with a Placement Year
• BA (Hons) Politics and International Relations with a Foundation Year
• BA (Hons) Politics and International Relations with a Year in North America
• BA (Hons) Politics and International Relations with a Year in Continental Europe
• BA (Hons) Politics and International Relations with Quantitative Research
• BA (Hons) Politics and International Relations with Quantitative Research With a Placement Year
• BA (Hons) Economics and Politics
• BA (Hons) Philosophy and Politics
• BA (Hons) History and Politics
• BA (Hons) Sociology and Politics
Also available as an elective module and to short term credit students
Main assessment methods
Essay (2500 words) 50%
Exam 50%
Reassessment methods
Like-for-Like
*Exams will be online for 23-24*
The University is committed to ensuring that core reading materials are in accessible electronic format in line with the Kent Inclusive Practices.
The most up to date reading list for each module can be found on the university's reading list pages.
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
1 Understand the influence of revolutions on the evolution of China's political institutions
2 Understand the predominant role of the Communist Party in ruling the country
3 Analyse the pressing issues challenging the country in its path to development
4 Understand China's importance as a political power and a rising economic power in the emerging post-Cold War global order
5 Use the knowledge earned from the study of China to inform comparative political studies.
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