DAFF 25A17 - Today's Chinese society: a comparative perspective

The Chinese society is generally perceived as very different from other societies, even incomparable. The prestige of Chinese culture seems sufficient to explain most of its characteristics. In this course we will adopt the opposite approach. To better understand Chinese society, it is necessary to consider it as a “normal” society. Certainly, Chinese society has its own specificities, but it is only by comparing it with others that we can grasp and explain its true specificities.

China will be primarily compared with Western European countries and more specifically to France. The challenge is also to leverage this comparison with China to redefine the

specificities of the Western European experience.

There are no prerequisites other than an interest in China and comparative perspective

The course is divided in 12 sessions, the first two of which being devoted to methodological questions and historical context. Each session will address a specific theme including: Among others: the state-nation, family models, the political regime, gender roles, social discontent…

Presentation in class (academic articles)

Final exam