Chinese Politics POLITIC4124

  • Academic Session: 2025-26
  • School: School of Social and Political Sciences
  • Credits: 20
  • Level: Level 4 (SCQF level 10)
  • Typically Offered: Either Semester 1 or Semester 2
  • Available to Visiting Students: Yes
  • Collaborative Online International Learning: No
  • Curriculum For Life: No

Short Description

This course will examine key issues today in the politics of the People's Republic of China, focussing on political changes since Xi Jinping became top leader in 2012.

Timetable

This course may not be running this year. For further information please check the Politics and IR Moodle page or contact the subject directly.

Requirements of Entry

Standard entry requirements to Honours Politics or International Relations.

Excluded Courses

None

Co-requisites

None

Assessment

Group presentation (10%)

Research report, 1500 words (30%)

Essay, 2500 words (60%)

Are reassessment opportunities available for all summative assessments? Not applicable

Reassessments are normally available for all courses, except those which contribute to the Honours classification. For non-Honours courses, students are offered reassessment in all or any of the components of assessment if the satisfactory (threshold) grade for the overall course is not achieved at the first attempt. This is normally grade D3 for undergraduate students and grade C3 for postgraduate students. Exceptionally it may not be possible to offer reassessment of some coursework items, in which case the mark achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade. Any such exceptions for this course are described below.

Course Aims

The aim of this course is to examine the apparent paradoxes of politics today in the People's Republic of China. Students will examine the changing foundation of Chinese Communist Party (CCP) legitimacy and support and the political and social consequences of China's adoption of a 'socialist market economy'. The course give students a strong foundational knowledge to understand the institutional mechanisms and policies which govern China and introduce students to popular debates within China on the social and cultural impact of China's economic transformation. Potential topics may include the political history of China, institutions in a one party state, the politics of economic reform, nationalisms, globalisation, civil society and resistance, ethnic relations, democratisation and foreign policy.

 

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ Understand the foundations of the Chinese political system.

■ Critically assess the political and social changes since Xi Jinping became China's pre-eminent leader

■ Apply relevant theories and concepts to evaluate contemporary Chinese politics

■ Advance reasoned and factually supported argument orally and in writing

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.