Students

CHN 157 – Contemporary China

2018 – S1 Day

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor
Kevin Carrico
Australian Hearing Hub, 2nd floor
Tutor
Kathleen Poling
Credit points Credit points
3
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
This unit is an introduction to contemporary China. The aim of this unit is to enable students to analyse critically and independently, domestic and international current events and core topics, including politics, the economy, international relations, the environment, ethnic relations, human rights, law and contemporary culture. Students develop an awareness of the variety of perspectives relating to contemporary China, and develop an ability to analyse the information in the context of Chinese history, politics and culture. This unit may be taken by all students with an interest in contemporary China. No background knowledge is required and all teaching and assessment is in English.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • Demonstrate an understanding of contemporary Chinese affairs and the underlying forces relevant to change in modern China.
  • Demonstrate an ability to analyse contemporary Chinese affairs objectively and to communicate this analysis in both oral and written forms.
  • Discover, read, and interpret written and material evidence relating to contemporary Chinese affairs with judgement, appreciation and understanding.
  • Understand and respond to the views of staff and other students in the unit, in both oral and written form.
  • Combine pre-selected and self-located evidence to provide a critical analysis of a major aspect of contemporary Chinese affairs.

General Assessment Information

Indicative examples of assessment tasks will be available on iLearn.

All written assessment tasks will be required to be submitted only electronically via Turnitin.com, unless otherwise indicated. Written assignments not received in e-copy via Turnitin.com by the appropriate due date will NOT be marked.

Serious Illness and Unavoidable Disruption

If your performance has been affected as a result of serious unavoidable disruption or illness, you are advised to inform the unit convenor and tutor of the problem at the earliest possible opportunity. I cannot, however, casually approve any extensions or adjustments- I will tell you to file an application for Special Consideration via ask.mq.edu.au. See under Policies and Procedures for more information on the Special Consideration Policy.

If you believe that you qualify for special consideration, please contact the teaching staff as soon as possible and lodge the application.

Late Assessment Penalty

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, (a) a penalty for lateness will apply – two (2) marks out of 100 will be deducted per day for assignments submitted after the due date – and (b) no assignment will be accepted more than seven (7) days (incl. weekends) after the original submission deadline. No late submissions will be accepted for timed assessments – e.g. quizzes, online tests.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Tutorial Participation 15% No Cumulative
Current events presentation 15% No Throughout semester
Online quizzes 20% No Throughout session
Mid-session test 20% No Week 7, in lecture
Final test 30% No Week 13, in lecture

Tutorial Participation

Due: Cumulative
Weighting: 15%

This is not a simple attendance mark. Although attendance is mandatory and deductions for absences will count toward the final grade, no marks will not be awarded for attendance- one could attend every tutorial yet receive zero in tutorial participation due to lack of participation. 

Tutorials are a critical part of your learning in this unit. Sitting in silence does not contribute, and does not earn credit. Weekly tutorial activities will be based on the week's set readings and questions, lecture materials, and current events presentations.  Students are expected to actively participate in tutorial group discussions about contemporary China and current events. 

Readings will either be from our main text, The China Reader, or will be posted on iLearn. All students will be expected to have read the readings, and considered the tutorial questions prior to attending tutorials, as well as having attended the lectures and reviewed the lecture materials. Tutorials are also the place to ask questions of any aspect of the lecture and tutorial materials or assessment tasks. 

The tutor will look for evidence of student knowledge of set readings and lectures; analysis of those readings expressed in verbal form; ability and willingness to work with and respond to the views of the tutor and other students in verbal form.  To do well in tutorial participation, you will not be expected to 'know everything', but you will be expected to show an informed opinion of the unit materials and be able to contribute and share constructively with the class.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate an understanding of contemporary Chinese affairs and the underlying forces relevant to change in modern China.
  • Demonstrate an ability to analyse contemporary Chinese affairs objectively and to communicate this analysis in both oral and written forms.
  • Discover, read, and interpret written and material evidence relating to contemporary Chinese affairs with judgement, appreciation and understanding.
  • Understand and respond to the views of staff and other students in the unit, in both oral and written form.
  • Combine pre-selected and self-located evidence to provide a critical analysis of a major aspect of contemporary Chinese affairs.

Current events presentation

Due: Throughout semester
Weighting: 15%

In this course, we will be discussing a variety of topics in the study of contemporary China. To encourage greater participation in and contributions to this process, each student in this course will be required to make one current events presentation, based upon a news article of the student’s choice.

The presentation will consist of a brief (3-5 minute) summary of the news article and its relevance to class discussions, followed by three discussion questions. I will soon hand out a grading rubric with specific guidelines, as well as a schedule.

This presentation will count for 20% of your grade. Take time to prepare for it.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate an understanding of contemporary Chinese affairs and the underlying forces relevant to change in modern China.
  • Discover, read, and interpret written and material evidence relating to contemporary Chinese affairs with judgement, appreciation and understanding.
  • Understand and respond to the views of staff and other students in the unit, in both oral and written form.
  • Combine pre-selected and self-located evidence to provide a critical analysis of a major aspect of contemporary Chinese affairs.

Online quizzes

Due: Throughout session
Weighting: 20%

There will be 4 online quizzes required throughout the course of the semester, consisting of 15-20 multiple choice questions each, which you will have twenty minutes to complete.

These quizzes will count for five points each, making up 20% of your final mark.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate an understanding of contemporary Chinese affairs and the underlying forces relevant to change in modern China.

Mid-session test

Due: Week 7, in lecture
Weighting: 20%

A test based on all materials covered in lectures and tutorials during the first half of the session.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate an understanding of contemporary Chinese affairs and the underlying forces relevant to change in modern China.
  • Demonstrate an ability to analyse contemporary Chinese affairs objectively and to communicate this analysis in both oral and written forms.

Final test

Due: Week 13, in lecture
Weighting: 30%

A cumulative test based on all materials covered in lectures and tutorials. Although this test will prioritize the second half of the session, it will also cover important topics from throughout the session.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate an understanding of contemporary Chinese affairs and the underlying forces relevant to change in modern China.
  • Demonstrate an ability to analyse contemporary Chinese affairs objectively and to communicate this analysis in both oral and written forms.

Delivery and Resources

iLearn

Online material can be accessed at: http://ilearn.mq.edu.au

iLearn is an important part of this unit. Lecture slides and recorded audio will be available for download on iLearn.

This unit will make use of iLearn for communications. iLearn also features a messaging system and discussion forum, which students are encouraged to use to circulate information and discussion.

Students should set the iLearn emails to be forwarded to their personal email account for convenience. It is the responsibility of students to be aware and up to date with unit news and announcements via iLearn.

Electronic submission of assignments via Turnitin.com

Macquarie University subscribes to the Turnitin plagiarism detection system. All students will be required to submit all of their written work through this system. See Assessment Submission for details.

Library Databases

The library databases offer access to thousands of academic journal articles on all relevant subject areas.Make a point of searching these databases for scholarly articles for sources of information for assignments.The library enquiry desk is a good point of assistance in the use of these databases.You can also the ‘Ask a Librarian’ service by phone or live chat. http://www.mq.edu.au/on_campus/library/

Please direct any questions about passwords, access, and iLearnto the IT helpdesk: http://informatics.mq.edu.au/help/

Assessment Marking Rubrics

An Assessment Marking Rubric will be used for each assessment task (see Assessment Tasks in General). They can be downloaded from iLearn.

TECHNOLOGY USED AND REQUIRED

Online Unit

Login is via: https://ilearn.mq.edu.au/

Is my unit in iLearn?: http://help.ilearn.mq.edu.au/unitsonline/ to check when your online unit will become available.

Technology

Students are required to have regular access to a computer and the internet. Mobile devices alone are not sufficient.

For students attending classes on campus we strongly encourage that you bring along your own laptop computer, ready to work with activities in your online unit. The preferred operating system is Windows 10.

Students are required to access the online unit in iLearn by the end of Week 1 and follow any relevant instructions and links for downloads that may be required. If applicable, students are required to download the relevant language package prior to Week 2.

Please contact your course convenor before the end of Week 1 if you do not have a suitable laptop (or tablet) for in-class use.

Unit Schedule

Week Topic Reading
Week 1

Introduction- viewing China from multiple angles

The China Reader, "Viewing China's rise: alternative perspectives," pg. 1-4, 5-33

and

Fenby, Chapter 1

Week 2

Politics

The China Reader, "Politics," pg. 34-40, 40-50, 68-69

and

Fenby, Chapter 2

Week 3

Economics

The China Reader, "Economic Development," pg. 100-102, 102-117

and

Fenby, Chapter 3

Week 4

Economic growth and political change

The China Reader, "Communique on the Current State of the Ideological Sphere," 70-74, and "China's Security State," 335-336

and

Excerpts from James Mann's The China Fantasy (ilearn)

Week 5

No class

Good Friday

Week 6

The environment

The China Reader, "China's Environmental Crisis, 144-147

and

Fenby, Chapter 4

Week 7 Midterm test Midterm test (in lecture)
Week 8

Media and Religion

The China Reader, "Media and Culture," pg. 281-306

and

James Leibold, "Blogging Alone: China, the Internet, and the Democratic Illusion"

plus

The China Reader, "The Upsurge of Religion in China," pg. 187-196

Sarah Cook, "The Battle for China's Spirit," Executive Summary

and

Ian Johnson, "Focusing on Religious Repression in China Misses the Bigger Picture

Week 9

Ethnicity

The China Reader, "Ethnic tensions," pg. 226- 232

and

Barnett, Robert. “Political Self-Immolation in Tibet: Causes and Influences.” Revue d’Etudes Tibétaines 25 (December 2012): 41–64.

Week 10

Hong Kong and Taiwan

The China Reader, "Hong Kong and Taiwan," pg. 459-472

and

Brian Fong, "One Country, Two Nationalisms: Center-Periphery Relations between Mainland China and Hong Kong, 1997-2016"

Week 11

International relations and nationalism

The China Reader, "Angry Youth," pg. 196-205, "Coping with a Conflicted China," pg. 357-367

and

Kevin Carrico, "Seeing Sansha: The Political Aesthetics of a South China Sea Settlement"

Week 12

Ways forward

The China Reader, "China Faces the Future," 473- 497

and Fenby, Chapter 5

Week 13 Final test Final test (in lecture)

 

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Undergraduate students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central).

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/getting-started/student-conduct​

Results

Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Graduate Capabilities

Creative and Innovative

Our graduates will also be capable of creative thinking and of creating knowledge. They will be imaginative and open to experience and capable of innovation at work and in the community. We want them to be engaged in applying their critical, creative thinking.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate an ability to analyse contemporary Chinese affairs objectively and to communicate this analysis in both oral and written forms.
  • Discover, read, and interpret written and material evidence relating to contemporary Chinese affairs with judgement, appreciation and understanding.
  • Understand and respond to the views of staff and other students in the unit, in both oral and written form.
  • Combine pre-selected and self-located evidence to provide a critical analysis of a major aspect of contemporary Chinese affairs.

Assessment tasks

  • Tutorial Participation
  • Mid-session test
  • Final test

Capable of Professional and Personal Judgement and Initiative

We want our graduates to have emotional intelligence and sound interpersonal skills and to demonstrate discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgement. They will exercise initiative as needed. They will be capable of risk assessment, and be able to handle ambiguity and complexity, enabling them to be adaptable in diverse and changing environments.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate an ability to analyse contemporary Chinese affairs objectively and to communicate this analysis in both oral and written forms.
  • Discover, read, and interpret written and material evidence relating to contemporary Chinese affairs with judgement, appreciation and understanding.
  • Understand and respond to the views of staff and other students in the unit, in both oral and written form.
  • Combine pre-selected and self-located evidence to provide a critical analysis of a major aspect of contemporary Chinese affairs.

Assessment tasks

  • Current events presentation
  • Final test

Commitment to Continuous Learning

Our graduates will have enquiring minds and a literate curiosity which will lead them to pursue knowledge for its own sake. They will continue to pursue learning in their careers and as they participate in the world. They will be capable of reflecting on their experiences and relationships with others and the environment, learning from them, and growing - personally, professionally and socially.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcome

  • Demonstrate an ability to analyse contemporary Chinese affairs objectively and to communicate this analysis in both oral and written forms.

Assessment tasks

  • Online quizzes
  • Mid-session test
  • Final test

Discipline Specific Knowledge and Skills

Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcome

  • Demonstrate an understanding of contemporary Chinese affairs and the underlying forces relevant to change in modern China.

Assessment tasks

  • Current events presentation
  • Mid-session test
  • Final test

Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate an understanding of contemporary Chinese affairs and the underlying forces relevant to change in modern China.
  • Understand and respond to the views of staff and other students in the unit, in both oral and written form.
  • Combine pre-selected and self-located evidence to provide a critical analysis of a major aspect of contemporary Chinese affairs.

Assessment tasks

  • Tutorial Participation
  • Current events presentation
  • Mid-session test
  • Final test

Problem Solving and Research Capability

Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate an understanding of contemporary Chinese affairs and the underlying forces relevant to change in modern China.
  • Discover, read, and interpret written and material evidence relating to contemporary Chinese affairs with judgement, appreciation and understanding.
  • Combine pre-selected and self-located evidence to provide a critical analysis of a major aspect of contemporary Chinese affairs.

Assessment tasks

  • Online quizzes
  • Mid-session test
  • Final test

Effective Communication

We want to develop in our students the ability to communicate and convey their views in forms effective with different audiences. We want our graduates to take with them the capability to read, listen, question, gather and evaluate information resources in a variety of formats, assess, write clearly, speak effectively, and to use visual communication and communication technologies as appropriate.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate an ability to analyse contemporary Chinese affairs objectively and to communicate this analysis in both oral and written forms.
  • Understand and respond to the views of staff and other students in the unit, in both oral and written form.

Assessment tasks

  • Tutorial Participation
  • Current events presentation
  • Mid-session test
  • Final test

Engaged and Ethical Local and Global citizens

As local citizens our graduates will be aware of indigenous perspectives and of the nation's historical context. They will be engaged with the challenges of contemporary society and with knowledge and ideas. We want our graduates to have respect for diversity, to be open-minded, sensitive to others and inclusive, and to be open to other cultures and perspectives: they should have a level of cultural literacy. Our graduates should be aware of disadvantage and social justice, and be willing to participate to help create a wiser and better society.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate an understanding of contemporary Chinese affairs and the underlying forces relevant to change in modern China.
  • Demonstrate an ability to analyse contemporary Chinese affairs objectively and to communicate this analysis in both oral and written forms.

Assessment task

  • Current events presentation

Socially and Environmentally Active and Responsible

We want our graduates to be aware of and have respect for self and others; to be able to work with others as a leader and a team player; to have a sense of connectedness with others and country; and to have a sense of mutual obligation. Our graduates should be informed and active participants in moving society towards sustainability.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcome

  • Discover, read, and interpret written and material evidence relating to contemporary Chinese affairs with judgement, appreciation and understanding.

Assessment task

  • Current events presentation

Examinations

Important:   This unit has a mid-session and a final test. These are the primary modes of assessment in this unit.

You are expected to present yourself for examination at the designated time and place: in lecture on Week 7 and Week 13.

All exams are closed book. Anyone found cheating will be asked to leave the exam and will receive an F.

The only exception to sitting an examination at the designated time is because of documented illness or unavoidable disruption. In these circumstances you may wish to consider applying for Special Consideration. Information about unavoidable disruption and the special consideration process is available under the Extension and Special Consideration section of this Unit Guide. Anyone who misses an exam and does not file an application for consideration of Disruption to Studies will receive a zero.

You are advised that it is Macquarie University policy not to set early examinations for individuals or groups of students. All students are expected to ensure that they are available until the end of the teaching semester, that is the final day of the official examination period.

Required Texts

Textbook: David Shambaugh (ed.) The China Reader, Sixth Edition: Rising Power. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2016.

and 

Jonathan Fenby, Will China Dominate the 21st Century?, 2nd edition. London: Polity, 2017.

 

 

Unit Requirements and Expectations

Students will be expected to:

  1. Review lecture materials in lectures or iLecture prior to tutorial classes.
  2. Review assigned tutorial class readings prior to tutorial classes.
  3. Actively participate in tutorial classes by interacting with tutors and fellow students by discussing and answering questions based on the lecture materials and tutorial readings.
  4. Be present at stated exam times, complete assignments on time and to the prescribed standards.
  5. Act with complete academic honesty http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html
  6. Macquarie University provides a range of Academic Student Support Services. Details of these services can be accessed at: http://www.mq.edu.au/currentstudents/