POLS211-26S1 (C) Semester One 2026

China from Mao to Now

15 points

Details:
Start Date: Monday, 16 February 2026
End Date: Sunday, 21 June 2026
Withdrawal Dates
Last Day to withdraw from this course:
  • Without financial penalty (full fee refund): Sunday, 1 March 2026
  • Without academic penalty (including no fee refund): Sunday, 10 May 2026

Description

This course will provide an introduction to the domestic politics and foreign policy of the People’s Republic of China and Taiwan (Republic of China).

China has a crucial role in the international political order. This course will provide an introduction to the domestic politics and foreign policy of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and Taiwan (Republic of China, ROC).

Learning Outcomes

Students will develop an in-depth understanding of: the Chinese political system and its historical context; the role of the Chinese Communist Party in Chinese society, especially its impact on media, ideology, and culture; China's political economy and its global impact; China's evolving foreign policy; Taiwan's democratic development and struggle for international space; New Zealand-China relations, and how New Zealand is responding to China's growing power and influence.

Transferable skills:
Students will hone critical reading and information gathering skills, as well as academic writing skills.

Prerequisites

Any 15 points at 100 level from POLS, or
any 60 points at 100 level from the Schedule V of the BA, or
LAWS, GEOG, or
the Schedule V of the BCom.

Timetable 2026

Students must attend one activity from each section.

Lecture A
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Wednesday 09:00 - 11:00 Rehua 329
16 Feb - 29 Mar
20 Apr - 31 May
Tutorial A
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Friday 11:00 - 12:00 Jack Erskine 111
16 Feb - 29 Mar
20 Apr - 31 May

Course Coordinator

Anne-Marie Brady

Assessment

Assessment Due Date Percentage  Description
Essays 60% Two 2,000-word essays. First essay due: 24 March 2026 4pm. Second essay due: 26 May 2026 4pm.
Final exam 30% Two-hour exam
Participation 10%

Textbooks / Resources

Recommended: Tony Saich, Governance and Politics of China, New York: Palgrave, 2015.

Students in POLS211 are required to cite this book and the other course readings in the two essays and to use academic journals and books as the basis of their essays.

Governance and Politics of China is available for sale at the University Book Shop and online; it is also in the 3-day loan section of the library.

There is a required packet of reading materials for the course which students can access on the POLS211 Learn page. Students are expected to have read the designated readings before coming to class.

Indicative Fees

Domestic fee $948.00

International fee $4,263.00

* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.

For further information see Language, Social and Political Sciences .

All POLS211 Occurrences

  • POLS211-26S1 (C) Semester One 2026