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Social Change in Contemporary China (ASIA90014)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
February
Overview
Availability | February |
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This subject presents an overview of the patterns of social life in China and how these have changed since the revolution in 1949. The socialist transformations led by Mao Zedong after 1949 and the market and other reforms led by Deng Xiaoping after 1978 receive equal emphasis. Topics covered include political institutions, economic policies and work organizations, rural social life, urban life and urbanization, religion, family life, population, gender relations, schooling, and inequality patterns. The course will be taught by Martin Whyte, a sociologist from Harvard University and Asia Scholar at the University of Melbourne who specializes in research on social change in post-1949 China. Prof. Whyte’s lectures will focus on both the origins and dynamics of social change in China as well as current issues and debates spawned by these changes. Documentary films dealing with contemporary social patterns and trends in China may be shown outside of class hours.
Intended learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this subject should:
- Gain an understanding of the origins of social change in contemporary China
- Gain an understanding of social issues that arise from China’s rapid transition from a planned to a market economy and debates surrounding social change in China
- Have an ability to apply research skills and critical methods to an enquiry
- Develop skills in historical comparison through detailed consideration of how Chinese social life before the revolution, under socialism, and after market reforms compares and contrasts with social patterns in Western societies
- Gain an ability to evaluate information from print and online media covering contemporary China.
Generic skills
Students who successfully complete this subject should be able to:
- apply research skills and critical methods to a field of enquiry
- demonstrate an ability to develop arguments and ideas effectively through seminar discussions
- apply their analytical skills to conflicting online and historical material
- show improvement in their writing skills through the final term paper.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Assessment
Additional details
- Short research proposal paper of 1000 words on a specific research question, 35%, due Week 4.
- A long term paper of 4000 words summarizing the findings and conclusions from the research on the specific question posed on the first paper, 65%, due during the examination period.
- Hurdle requirement: Students are required to attend a minimum of 80% of classes in order to pass this subject and regular class participation is expected.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
- February
Principal coordinator Martin Whyte Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 24 contact hours: A 3 hour seminar per week taught over 8 weeks. Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 27 February 2018 to 24 April 2018 Last self-enrol date 9 March 2018 Census date 23 March 2018 Last date to withdraw without fail 11 May 2018 Assessment period ends 22 June 2018 February contact information
Time commitment details
170 Hours
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Required and supplementary readings will be made available online through the LMS website for the subject.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Informal specialisation 150 Point Master of Development Studies Informal specialisation 200 Point Master of Development Studies Informal specialisation 200 Point Master of Social Policy Specialisation (formal) Asian Studies Informal specialisation 150 Point Master of Social Policy Informal specialisation Graduate Diploma in Arts (Advanced) - Asian Studies Informal specialisation Gender and Development Specialisation - 200 point program Informal specialisation Gender and Development Specialisation - 150 Point program Informal specialisation 100 Point Master of Development Studies Informal specialisation 100 Point Master of Social Policy - Links to additional information
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Additional information for this subject
Subject coordinator approval required
Last updated: 3 November 2022