Fall 2018 - IS 319 E100

Special Topics II (4)

Chinese Dev & Discontents

Class Number: 8100

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 4 – Dec 3, 2018: Wed, 5:30–9:20 p.m.
    Vancouver

  • Prerequisites:

    45 units.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Specific details of courses to be offered will be published prior to enrolment each term.

COURSE DETAILS:

Today, few questions pose greater significance to scholars and policymakers than the rise of China. This course explores the character and conditions of market reforms beginning in the late 1970s and early 1980s, and considers the economic, political, and social consequences of market transformation. We will begin with a brief historical overview of China before 1949 and during the Mao era. We will then survey academic debates on what constitutes the “Chinese development model”. The rest of the course will be devoted to examining a range of social issues in contemporary Chinese society, including rural-urban inequality, the labor question, the search for civil society, the rise of the middle class, challenges to state legitimacy, gender inequality, environmental degradation, nationalism and national identity, and China’s changing position in the world system. 

This course will use documentaries, feature films, or other visual media materials to open up discussions on assigned academic and journalistic readings. Students will also be expected to work throughout the semester towards their final assignment, which can take the form of either a critical literature review or a research paper on a topic of their choice.

Grading

NOTES:

Students will be required to submit their written assignments to Turnitin.com in order to receive credit for the assignments and for the course.

The School for International Studies strictly enforces the University's policies regarding plagiarism and other forms of academic dishonesty. Information about these policies can be found at: http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/teaching.html.

REQUIREMENTS:

GRADING

Weekly reading summary and response                                      20%
Group presentation                                                                   20%
3 Work-in-progress pieces (preparation for final assignment)       20%
Final assignment                                                                      40%

Registrar Notes:

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://students.sfu.ca/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS