DV432 Half Unit
China in Developmental Perspective
This information is for the 2020/21 session.
Teacher responsible
Prof Jude Howell CON. 8.02
Availability
This course is available on the CEMS Exchange, MBA Exchange, MPA in International Development, MPA in Public Policy and Management, MPA in Public and Economic Policy, MPA in Public and Social Policy, MPA in Social Impact, MSc in China in Comparative Perspective, MSc in Development Management, MSc in Development Studies, MSc in International Development and Humanitarian Emergencies, MSc in International and Asian History and MSc in Political Economy of Late Development. This course is available with permission as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit.
Students will be allocated places to courses with priority to ID and joint-degree students. If there are more ID and joint-degree students than the course can accommodate, these spots will be allocated randomly.
Non-ID/Joint Degree students will be allocated to spare places by random selection with the preference given first to those degrees where the regulations permit this option.
Pre-requisites
Excellent reading and speaking skills ~(IELTS 7 minimum).
Course content
This course looks at China from a comparative developmental perspective, locating the discussion of China within the interdisciplinary field of development studies. It examines China's developmental trajectory since 1949, explaining the fundamental shift in developmental path from late 1978 onwards. It considers China's role in low-income countries, as a model of innovation, as a voice for developing country concerns and as an important aid donor. It reflects on China's recent achievements in reducing poverty and places these in comparative context. The course considers the governance challenges posed by rapid economic reform, the attempts to reform the Party-state and to manage social tensions. It examines the social dimensions of rapid economic reform and the implications for social policies. It looks at the emergence of NGOs and other forms of civil society organising and considers changing state-society relations. Finally it considers China's role as aid donor and its emergence as a global economic and political power. The course will enable students to obtain an understanding of key developmental issues and discussions about China and to link these discussions to broader debates and theories in development studies.
Teaching
20 hours of lectures and 15 hours of seminars in the MT.
In addition, one introductory seminar session in MT, one essay preparation session in MT and two exam revision sessions in MT.
Formative coursework
Students have the opportunity to receive feedback on a formative essay of 1,500 words. Students will also receive feedback on their seminar performance. Students are welcome to come to course convenor’s office hours to discuss any issues.
Indicative reading
- Ang Yuen Yuen, 2016, How China Escaped the Poverty Trap, Cornell University
- Friedman, Eli 2014, Insurgency Trap. Labour Politics in Post-Socialist China. Cornell University Press.
- Harneit-Sievers, A., Marks, S., and Naidu, S., 2010, Chinese and African perspectives on China in Africa, Pambazuka Press;
- Howell, Jude, 2003, Governance in China. Rowman and Littlefield Inc., Lanham;
- Heilmann, Sebastian and Elizabeth Perry, 2011, Mao’s Invisible Hand: The Political Foundations of Adaptive Governance in China, Harvard University Press Hung, Ho-fung (ed) (2009) China and the Transformation of Global Capitalism. Baltimore, John Hopkins University Press;
- Hung, Ho-fung (ed) (2009) China and the Transformation of Global Capitalism. Baltimore, John Hopkins University Press;
- Lardy, Nicolas, 2014, Markets Over Mao. The Rise of Private Business in China,Washington, Peter Institute for International Economics;
- Leung, Joe C.B. and Yuebin Xu, 2015, China’s Social Welfare. Polity Press, Cambridge.
- Yao Shujie, 2005, Economic Growth, Income Distribution and Poverty Reduction in Contemporary China, RoutledgeCurzon, London and New York;
- White, Gordon, Jude Howell and Shang Xiaoyuan, 1996, In Search of Civil Society. Market Reform and Social Change in Contemporary China. Oxford University Press, Oxford;
- M.H. Whyte (ed), 2009, One Country, Two Societies. Rural/Urban Inequality in China.
Assessment
Essay (30%, 2500 words) and take-home assessment (70%) in the LT.
This course will be assessed by a 6 hour take-home exam and 2500 word essay.
Student performance results
(2016/17 - 2018/19 combined)
| Classification | % of students |
|---|---|
| Distinction | 15.8 |
| Merit | 35.5 |
| Pass | 43.4 |
| Fail | 5.3 |
Important information in response to COVID-19
Please note that during 2020/21 academic year some variation to teaching and learning activities may be required to respond to changes in public health advice and/or to account for the situation of students in attendance on campus and those studying online during the early part of the academic year. For assessment, this may involve changes to mode of delivery and/or the format or weighting of assessments. Changes will only be made if required and students will be notified about any changes to teaching or assessment plans at the earliest opportunity.
Key facts
Department: International Development
Total students 2019/20: 30
Average class size 2019/20: 11
Controlled access 2019/20: Yes
Value: Half Unit
