POLIS 2113 - Decoding China: Unity, Stability and Development
North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2014
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General Course Information
Course Details
Course Code POLIS 2113 Course Decoding China: Unity, Stability and Development Coordinating Unit Politics and International Relations Term Semester 2 Level Undergraduate Location/s North Terrace Campus Units 3 Contact Up to 3 hours per week Prerequisites 12 units of Level I study Incompatible POLI 2113 Assessment Small group discovery (25%), Online test I (15%), Online test II (20%), Research paper (40%) Course Staff
Course Coordinator: Dr Czeslaw Tubilewicz
Office: Napier 410
Phone: 8313 5169Course Timetable
The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.
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Learning Outcomes
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon the completion of the course, students are expected to be able to:- Debate the evolution of the Chinese state in the pos-1978 era
- Define the key features of the Chinese political, economic and social systems
- Discuss the significance of centrifugal and centripetal forces in Chinese history and the significance of the ‘Century of Humiliation’
- Identify and discuss the key economic, political and social challenges facing contemporary China
- Debate China’s role in the Asia-Pacific region and the world
- Participate in group discussions about contested concepts with confidence and with tolerance for other points of view
- Strengthen problem solving and critical thinking skills
- Navigate the large amounts of research material available in this subject through both traditional academic sources and through the use of information technology
University Graduate Attributes
This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:
University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s) Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised. 1, 2.3 4, 5 The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner. 6, 7, 8 An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication. 6, 7, 8 A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies. 8 A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life. 7 A commitment to the highest standards of professional endeavour and the ability to take a leadership role in the community. 6, 7, 8 An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities. 6 -
Learning Resources
Required Resources
You will need to purchase the Course Reader, which contains the required reading for all tutorials.
There is no textbook assigned for this course.
One copy of the Course Reader will be available in the Reserve Collection of the Barr-Smith Library. Electronic copies of all readings will be also placed on Myuni.
To purchase the Course Reader, go to https://shop.adelaide.edu.au/konakart/Welcome.action. You can pick up your purchased copy for collection from the Image and Copy Centre, Level 1, Hughes Building.Recommended Resources
Recommended academic readings are also made available on Myuni.
Internet Resources
Asian Studies Virtual Library http://coombs.anu.edu.au/WWWVL-AsianStudies.html
Brookings Institution Center for Northeast Policy Studies
http://www.brookings.edu/CNAPS.ASPX
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace http://www.ceip.org
Center for Nonproliferation Studies, China Database http://www.nti.org/db/china
Central Asia-Caucasus Institute http://www.cacianalyst.org
China Data Center (University of Michigan) http://www.umich.edu/~iinet/chinadata
China Documentation Center at George Washington University’s Gelman Library
http://www.gwu.edu/gelman/seearr/cdc
China Statistical Yearbook Online http://www.stats.gov.cn
Chinese Military Power http://www.comw.org/cmp
Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs http://www.fmprc.gov.cn
Chinese Studies Internet Resources
http://www.library.ucla.edu/eastasian/china.htm
CIA World Factbook: China Report
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/countrytemplate_ch.html
Council on Foreign Relations http://www.cfr.org
Council on Security Cooperation in Asia-Pacific http://www.cscap.org
CSIS Pacific Forum http://www.csis.org/pacfor
Federation of American Scientists, China page
http://www.fas.org/news/china/index.html
Human Rights in China http://www.hrichina.org
Human Rights Watch http://www.hrw.org
Lowy Institute for International Policy http://www.lowyinstitute.org/
National Bureau of Asian Research http://www.strategicasia.nbr.org
National Committee on U.S.-China Relations http://www.ncuscr.org
National Security Archive http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv
Nautilus Northeast Asia Peace and Security Network Daily Report
http://www.nautilus.org/napsnet/dr/index.html
NDU Center for Chinese Military Studies
http://www.ndu.edu/INSS/CHINA_Center/INSS_About_CSCMA.htm
RAND Corporation http://rand.org
Republic of China (Taiwan) Ministry of Foreign Affairs
http://www.mofa.gov.tw/webapp/mp?mp=6
Taiwan Security Research http://www.taiwansecurity.org
UNDP http://www.undp.org
US-China Economic and Security Review Commission http://www.uscc.gov
Online newspapers
China:
China Daily http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/
People’s Daily Online http://english.people.com.cn/
China Internet Info Centre http://www.china.org.cn/index.htm
China National News http://www.chinanationalnews.com/
China News Net http://www.chinanews.net/index.php
China Tech News http://www.chinatechnews.com/
Shanghai Daily http://www.shanghaidaily.com/
Radio China International http://www.chinabroadcast.cn (multilingual)
Xinhua News http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/
Hong Kong:
South China Morning Post http://scmp.com (paid subscription only)
The Standard http://www.thestandard.com.hk/
Taiwan:
China Post Online http://chinapost.com.tw
Taipei Times http://taipeitimes.com
Taiwan News http://taiwannews.com.tw
International:
International Herald Tribune http://www.iht.com/pages/index.php
Radio Free Asia http://www.rfa.org/english/china/
Voice of America, Asia Service http://www.voanews.com/english/asia.cfmOnline Learning
The POLI 2113 MyUni site contains announcements, copies of many course materials such as lecture notes, lecture recordings, assigned and recommended readings, a discussion forum, and links to useful web sites. You should check this site regularly. -
Learning & Teaching Activities
Learning & Teaching Modes
The two lectures outline the material to be discussed in each week’s tutorials. The online lecture provides the background for the in-class lecture. The tutorials are your opportunity to ensure that you understand the key concepts discussed during the lectures. The full tutorial programme is in the Course Reader and on Myuni.
You will be expected to have completed the assigned reading so that tutorial discussions proceed on an informed basis. The tutorial questions and tutorial activities are designed for you to get the most out of the assigned reading, so complete the reading with those questions or activities in mind. In small group teaching,students learn from each other and the process is governed by the questions raised by students as well as the questions in the Course Guide.Workload
The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.
Class contact (12x2 hour lectures + 1 x 1 hour tutorials) 36 hours
Tutorial preparation (3 hours per tutorial) 33 hours
Preparation for the mid-term online test 10 hours
Preparation for the final online test 18 hours
Research preparation 25 hours
Writing the research essay 34 hours
Total 156 hoursLearning Activities Summary
Subject to change: See MyUni and the Course Guide for the latest programme.
Week 1 Unity, stability and Development in Contemporary China
Week 2 How China is ruled?
Week 3 Political Change in post-Mao China
Week 3 Ethnic minorities and their challenge
Week 4 The politics of economic reforms
Week 5 Federalism with Chinese characteristics
Week 6 Energy security
Week 7 Environmental sustainability
Week 8 Food security and safety
Week 9 Integration with Hong Kong
Week 10 Taiwan and China’s reunification project
Week 11 China in the worldSmall Group Discovery Experience
All tutorial activities are structured around small group learning that encourages and supports team work and a lively exchange of ideas. -
Assessment
The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:
- Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
- Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
- Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
- Assessment must maintain academic standards.
Assessment Summary
Small group discovery 20%
Team project 15%
Mid-term online test 5%
Final online test 10%
Research paper 50%Assessment Detail
Please refer to the Course Guide posted on Myuni.Submission
Please refer to the Course Guide posted on Myuni.Course Grading
Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:
M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme) Grade Mark Description FNS Fail No Submission F 1-49 Fail P 50-64 Pass C 65-74 Credit D 75-84 Distinction HD 85-100 High Distinction CN Continuing NFE No Formal Examination RP Result Pending Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.
Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.
Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.
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Student Feedback
The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.
SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
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Student Support
- Academic Integrity for Students
- Academic Support with Maths
- Academic Support with writing and study skills
- Careers Services
- International Student Support
- Library Services for Students
- LinkedIn Learning
- Student Life Counselling Support - Personal counselling for issues affecting study
- Students with a Disability - Alternative academic arrangements
- YouX Student Care - Advocacy, confidential counselling, welfare support and advice
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Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
- Academic Credit Arrangements Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progress by Coursework Students Policy
- Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy
- Copyright Compliance Policy
- Coursework Academic Programs Policy
- Elder Conservatorium of Music Noise Management Plan
- Intellectual Property Policy
- IT Acceptable Use and Security Policy
- Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment Policy
- Reasonable Adjustments to Learning, Teaching & Assessment for Students with a Disability Policy
- Student Experience of Learning and Teaching Policy
- Student Grievance Resolution Process
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Fraud Awareness
Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.
The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.
