BEXP 12A00 - China Nowadays

The course focuses on contemporary Chinese society and adopts a thematic approach to introduce students to China’s political, economic, social, and cultural structures, as well as the major issues shaping them. As an introductory course, it provides students with basic analytical frameworks for understanding Chinese society and highlights its diversity and complexity within specific social contexts. The course situates Chinese society within broader historical and global perspectives, using concrete cases and real-world materials to examine the relationships between social institutions, public policies, and everyday practices. Course materials include academic studies, media reports, documentaries, film excerpts, and other empirical sources. Emphasis is placed on helping students develop a foundational understanding of social phenomena and the ability to analyze them in context. The course encourages students to think critically and analytically about contemporary Chinese society.

At the end of the course, the student is expected to: 1°) Develop a broad understanding of contemporary Chinese society, including the major social, economic, political, and cultural dynamics and changes that shape it. 2°) Apply basic analytical frameworks to interpret social phenomena in contemporary China and develop the ability to critically evaluate information from academic, print, and online media sources. 3°) Develop clear and effective oral communication and academic writing skills, and demonstrate critical thinking in discussions, presentations, and written assignments.

To validate the course, the student is expected to pass the following assignments: 1°) Class Participation (10%): Active and regular participation in class discussions is expected throughout the semester. 2°) Group Presentation (30%): Students will give one in-class group presentation (15-20 minutes), followed by a class discussion. Assigned readings should be used as a starting point to explore key issues and questions connected to the topic. Students are expected to summarize and present the texts clearly, situate them within the broader course themes, and demonstrate critical thinking in both the presentation and the discussion.

3°) Short Paper (30%): Students will submit an individual short paper (2,000-3,000 words), due the final session. Further details and guidelines will be provided during the first session. 4°) Final Exam (30%)