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150070 SE Theories and methods of Chinese elite politics (2025S)

10.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 15 - Ostasienwissenschaften
Continuous assessment of course work

SE Theorien und Methoden (Sozialwissenschaften) (M5)
Moodle
Th 06.03. 13:15-14:45 Seminarraum Sinologie 2 UniCampus Hof 2 2F-O1-18

Details

max. 30 participants
Language: English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

The course starts on Mar. 6.

  • Thursday 13.03. 13:15 - 14:45 Seminarraum Sinologie 2 UniCampus Hof 2 2F-O1-18
  • Thursday 20.03. 13:15 - 14:45 Seminarraum Sinologie 2 UniCampus Hof 2 2F-O1-18
  • Thursday 27.03. 13:15 - 14:45 Seminarraum Sinologie 2 UniCampus Hof 2 2F-O1-18
  • Thursday 03.04. 13:15 - 14:45 Seminarraum Sinologie 2 UniCampus Hof 2 2F-O1-18
  • Thursday 10.04. 13:15 - 14:45 Seminarraum Sinologie 2 UniCampus Hof 2 2F-O1-18
  • Thursday 08.05. 13:15 - 14:45 Seminarraum Sinologie 2 UniCampus Hof 2 2F-O1-18
  • Thursday 15.05. 13:15 - 14:45 Seminarraum Sinologie 2 UniCampus Hof 2 2F-O1-18
  • Thursday 22.05. 13:15 - 14:45 Seminarraum Sinologie 2 UniCampus Hof 2 2F-O1-18
  • Thursday 05.06. 13:15 - 14:45 Seminarraum Sinologie 2 UniCampus Hof 2 2F-O1-18
  • Thursday 12.06. 13:15 - 14:45 Seminarraum Sinologie 2 UniCampus Hof 2 2F-O1-18
  • Thursday 26.06. 13:15 - 14:45 Seminarraum Sinologie 2 UniCampus Hof 2 2F-O1-18

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

Elite politics is indisputably the core of Chinese politics both in the past and at present. At the same time, it remains the most elusive subject not only for outside observers but also for many political actors within the system who have to navigate the byzantine political paths with incomplete and sometimes deceptive information, thanks to the intentionally created and preserved opaque institutional environment in which elite politics operates. Given the heightened authoritarianism in the country, it has only become more imperative for students of Chinese politics to learn how to decipher elite politics in such an environment. This is challenging but not impossible.
This course offers an in-depth and intensive series of lectures and discussions to assist participants to learn both the logic and the art of decoding Chinese elite politics, drawing on both the most essential and the most up-to-date literature in the field. The course will survey major theoretical findings of Chinese elite politics generated by generations of scholars as well as the most popular methods employed by these scholars to produce their findings.
As a part of the course exercise, students will be engaged to participate in a preliminary research project which is intended to develop a new method to study Chinese elite politics during the second half of the course.

Assessment and permitted materials

Students’ performance will be evaluated in three respects: attendance and class participation 20%, assignment 30%, and final exam 50%.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

Students should have adequate proficiency of Chinese language to read and comprehend primary sources with dictionaries.
Students shall commit to prepare for the class by reading the assignments in advance and actively participating in class discussions.
Students will not be eligible for the exam if more than 3 sessions are missed. Absence for a session that you are assigned as the leading discussant needs to be announced at least one week ahead. Each absence will lead to a reduction of your attendance score, unless it is justified and pre-approved.

Examination topics

The course will have a final essay-question exam. It will be a 1.5-hour, in-class, open-book exam, but without internet access. The question will be directly related to the contents discussed in the course. The question(s) will be provided at the exam.

Reading list

Available on Moodle.

Association in the course directory

SINO alt: GG/PR SE I/II

Last modified: Sa 18.01.2025 18:45