Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2026 - POL 339 D100

Selected Topics in Comparative Government and Politics (4)

Politics and Government in China

Class Number: 6248

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 9 – Dec 6, 2026: Wed, 9:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

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

Description

COURSE DETAILS:

NOTE:  Students who previously took POL 300 - Challenge of Change: China cannot take this POL 339 course for further credit.

NOTE:  Students who previously took POL 349 - Politics of China in Summer 2024 cannot take this POL 339 course for further credit.


Selected Topic:  Politics and Government in China

Course Description:

This course provides an introduction to China’s political and economic development. There are three broad themes to the class: (a) a historical overview; (b) political institutions and policymaking; and (c) the challenges of governance. We begin with an overview of important events in Chinese politics and economics from 1949 to the present. The course then turns to the political institutions and structures of governance established with the founding of the People’s Republic of China, and the evolution of these institutions in the post-Mao reform era. The final third of the class examines contemporary challenges in the governance of a range of issues in China, from the environment and inequality. If time permits we will also look at the security dimension that China faces in the region.

Learning Objectives:

By the end of the course, students should:

  1. Be familiar with and able to describe the key empirical characteristics of major events and key figures in modern Chinese political development.
  2. Have an understanding of major theoretical frameworks used to explain political change in modern China.
  3. Recognise competing viewpoints and approaches in the analysis of Chinese politics and be able to adjudicate between these perspectives; and
  4. Develop their own analysis of key issues in Chinese politics by applying a theoretical framework and supporting their argument with solid evidence.

 

Grading

  • Class Attendance and Online Discussion 20%
  • Midterm 20%
  • Research Paper 30%
  • Final Exam 30%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Kenneth Lieberthal. Governing China: From Revolution to Reform, 2nd Edition. W. W. Norton & Company, New York, 2nd edition, December 2003

William A. Joseph, editor. Politics in China: An Introduction, Second Edition. Oxford University Press, New York, NY, 4th edition, 2024.

All other readings will be posted on Canvas. All readings are compulsory, unless marked as Recommended or Further Reading.


Department Undergraduate Notes:

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

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.