Summer 2023 - POL 339 D100

Selected Topics in Comparative Government and Politics (4)

Politics of Russia & China

Class Number: 5031

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    May 8 – Aug 4, 2023: Thu, 11:30 a.m.–2:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    Six lower division units in political science or permission of the department.

Description

COURSE DETAILS:

Selected Topic:  Politics of Russia and China


Course Details:

The course will begin with an overview of Soviet and Chinese political legacies and basic facts about domestic politics. The course will examine the evolution of the Chinese Communist Party, the rise of the United Russia and the need to maintain de jure multi-party systems in the two countries. The students will be able to compare recent constitutional changes in China and Russia and examine the formation and evolution of Russian and Chinese legislative processes and judicial systems. The course will explore forms of political participation, formation of political knowledge and political value, public’s relationship to the mass-media, as well as corruption, informal power networks, population control, etc.

Course Objectives:

(i) to help students acquire nuanced understanding of the political systems in Russia and China

(ii) incorporate existing theoretical perspectives and academic debates about the state of politics in both countries

(iii) to provide the conceptual apparatus and methodological training for future research on a variety of related topics

Grading

  • Attendance & Participation 20%
  • Short essay outline 15%
  • Presentation (based on readings for presentation) 25%
  • Final Essay 40%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Selected readings on Canvas and from the Library.

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.

Department Undergraduate Notes:

The Department of Political Science strictly enforces a policy on plagiarism.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website http://www.sfu.ca/students/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

RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the semester 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.