ATS3163 · The rise of China in the Asia-Pacific region

Overview

This unit will introduce you to contentious political issues in contemporary China, with a view to equipping you to better understand the politics of the Asia-Pacific region. You will begin by surveying China’s major internal political changes over the past decade. You will examine why the Chinese Communist Party places so much emphasis on internal stability since Tiananmen 1989. You will then delve into other major political dynamics in China, such as the causes and consequences of censorship and public protest, environmental pollution, gender inequality, rural/urban inequality, repression in Xinjiang, political polarisation in Hong Kong, and foreign policy challenges including Taiwanese reunification.

Areas of study: Politics

Offerings

The Handbook publishes no offerings for this unit.

Assessment

The Handbook does not list a final examination among the assessment items. That is not a guarantee there is none.

Within semester assessment: 100%

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

The Handbook lists no prerequisite, corequisite or prohibition for this unit.

Learning outcomes

1. examine the major socio-political fault lines in contemporary China and their historical origins;
2. analyse Chinese policy making and how it has been reshaped by key events;
3. evaluate the causes of the growing geopolitical rift between China and the West and prospects for the future;
4. critically examine Australia's response to the rise of China in the Asian regional context amid ongoing geopolitical conflicts.

Workload

Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement.

Student experience, not official rules. Nothing here changes what the Handbook says.