CHN2004 : Contemporary Chinese Society: Issues and Challenges
- Offered for Year: 2025/26
- Module Leader(s): Dr Jo Smith Finley
- Owning School: Modern Languages
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 2 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
1) To build knowledge of contemporary social challenges in China;
2) To understand contemporary social challenges in China in their historical context;
3) To reflect on the potential impacts of both domestic policies and global currents on the future evolution of Chinese society.
Outline Of Syllabus
Module Talk (Introduction)
Topic 1. The Individual and the State: The 'Lying Flat' Phenomenon.
Topic 2. The Individual, the Corporation and the State: The 'Social Credit' System.
Topic 3. The Demographic Crisis: Prospects for the Future.
Topic 4. The Environment: Civic Activism and State Constraints.
Topic 5. Internal Migration: Impacts on Children.
Topic 6. Ethnicity: Han-majoritarian Assimilationism in the New Era.
Topic 7. Social Inequality: State Rhetoric on Poverty Alleviation.
Essay planning workshop
Topic 8. Rule of Law vs. Rule by Law
Topic 9. The Chinese Internet: Control vs. Empowerment.
Topic 10. Human Trafficking.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 30 | 1:00 | 30:00 | Online, non-synchronous |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 11 | 1:00 | 11:00 | Present-in-person |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 21 | 1:00 | 21:00 | Present-in-person: Seminar |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 1 | 1:00 | 1:00 | Present-in-person: Essay planning workshop |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 137 | 1:00 | 137:00 | N/A |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Pre-reading, in the form of short, online blog pieces written by China scholars and experts, stimulate students’ initial interest in each lecture topic.
Lectures (accompanied by Powerpoint presentations) then guide students in developing a critical awareness of social challenges in contemporary China; in situating those contemporary social challenges against their historical backdrop; and in considering the potential impact of domestic policies and global currents in the future evolution of Chinese society.
Students listen to podcasts and/or watch videos ahead of the two weekly seminar sessions.
Small-group, in-person seminars, held on campus, are then provided to encourage students to further explore the lecture themes through discussion of podcasts and audiovisual media (images and videos) relating to the 11 lecture topics. Research and reading can be conducted independently or in small groups with student peers, in order to foster both individual initiative and teamwork.
An in-person Essay planning workshop is designed to counsel students on how to research material, analyse sources critically, and plan, structure and present their arguments.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 2 | M | 70 | An Essay of 2500-2800 words (including quotations and footnotes but excluding bibliographies). |
| Written exercise | 2 | M | 30 | Critical Commentary (1200 words) on single text chosen from 3 options, each reflecting a different topic or combination of topics |
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written exercise | 2 | M | Written commentary on a document chosen from choice of four,each relating to one of the Lecture topics. Formative feedback provided. |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The module will be assessed by:
One formative assessment:
- a Critical Commentary of 1200 words on a single text chosen from three options. The student will analyse and discuss core themes relating to the lecture topic – or combination of lecture topics – covered in that text. This exercise encourages independent critical thinking and processing of different types of document, including those from government, NGO, media and academic sources.
One summative assessment:
- an Essay of 2500-2800 words (70%), demonstrating knowledge of taught aspects of Chinese society as well as the ability to critically analyse social themes. There will be a choice of essay questions covering the 11 lecture themes.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- CHN2004's Timetable