Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Summer 2025 - SA 275 D100

China in Transition (SA) (4)

Class Number: 2656

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    May 12 – Aug 8, 2025: Thu, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Instructor:

    Yuan Wei
    yuan_wei@sfu.ca
    Office: 5089
    Office Hours: Thu, 1:00-2:00 p.m. Via: In-person

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

An introduction to culture, social structure and the processes of social, economic, and political transformation in contemporary China. Topics may include recent development of Marxism, feminism and neoliberalism in China; Western debates on China's rise and images of China as threat; human rights.

COURSE DETAILS:

In this course, we will study social change of Chinese society since the establishment of the People’s Republic in 1949. We will explore the changing governance paradigm and the transformations in social structures. The course comprises three parts. The first part focuses on governance during the Maoist period (1949-1976). We will study the mode of governance by unpacking some of the key concepts, including class and classification, labor, exemplarity, campaign, and mass movement. We will examine both the state discourses and grassroots perspectives to understand how these discourses operated on the ground. Starting from week 8, we will shift our focus to the post-Maoist era (1978-present) and examine social restructuring under economic reforms. We will explore how the neoliberal policies led to new forms of social divisions and classifications. Parituclalry, we will focus on cases such as labor relationships, educational inequalities, and the refusal of work. The final part of the course will examine governance over the nation and ethnic minorities, where we will focus on the structure of nationalist feeling, affective governance, and different paradigms of governance for ethnic minorities.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

  • Understand the transformation of Chinese society from the Maoist period to the post-Maoist period, particularly the changes in governance structures and social dynamics.
  • Develop conceptual and theoretical tools to analyze the relationship between the state and society.
  • Learn conceptual and theoretical tools to analyze social classes, divisions, and inequalities.
  • Acquire skills in analyzing state discourses and policies.

Grading

  • Attendance and participation 15%
  • Media analysis essays 15%
  • Class Presentation 15%
  • In-class midterm exam 20%
  • Final research paper 35%

NOTES:

With the exception of media analysis essays, all assignment in the class must be completed for a final grade other than N to be assigned.

Grading: Where a final exam is scheduled and the student does not write the exam or withdraw from the course before the deadline date, an N grade will be assigned. Unless otherwise specified on the course syllabus, all graded assignments for this course must be completed for a final grade other than N to be assigned. An N is considered as an F for the purposes of scholastic standing.

Grading System: The Undergraduate Course Grading System is as follows:

A+ (95-100) | A (90-94) | A- (85-89) | B+ (80-84) | B (75-79) | B- (70-74) | C+ (65-69) | C (60-64) | C- (55-59) | D (50-54) | F (0-49) | N*
*N standing to indicate the student did not complete course requirements

Academic Honesty and Student Conduct Policies: The Department of Sociology & Anthropology follows SFU policy in relation to grading practices, grade appeals (Policy T20.01), and academic honesty and student conduct procedures (S10‐S10.05). Unless otherwise informed by your instructor in writing, in graded written assignments you must cite the sources you rely on and include a bibliography/list of references, following an instructor-approved citation style. It is the responsibility of students to inform themselves of the content of SFU policies available on the SFU website.

Centre for Accessible Learning: Students with hidden or visible disabilities who believe they may need classroom or exam accommodations are encouraged to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (1250 Maggie Benston Centre) as soon as possible to ensure that they are eligible and that approved accommodations and services are implemented in a timely fashion.

The Sociology and Anthropology Student Union, SASU, is a governing body of students who are engaged with the department and want to build the SA community. Get involved!  Follow Facebook and Instagram pages or visit our website.

Materials

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.