POLS211-25S2 (C) Semester Two 2025

China from Mao to Now

15 points

Details:
Start Date: Monday, 14 July 2025
End Date: Sunday, 9 November 2025
Withdrawal Dates
Last Day to withdraw from this course:
  • Without financial penalty (full fee refund): Sunday, 27 July 2025
  • Without academic penalty (including no fee refund): Sunday, 28 September 2025

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 that of 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.

Structure of the Course:
Two fifty-minute lectures with a third hour of tutorial discussion, where we will analyse China-related news and do small group work to discuss the readings. Students will be encouraged to contribute news items for discussion.

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 2025

Students must attend one activity from each section.

Lecture A
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Wednesday 13:00 - 15:00 E12
14 Jul - 24 Aug
8 Sep - 19 Oct
Lecture B
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Friday 13:00 - 14:00 Rehua 528
14 Jul - 24 Aug
8 Sep - 12 Oct

Examinations, Quizzes and Formal Tests

Test A
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Friday 13:00 - 14:00 Rehua 528
13 Oct - 19 Oct

Course Coordinator

Anne-Marie Brady

Assessment

Assessment Due Date Percentage  Description
Two essays 70% 2,500 words each. First essay due 21 Aug 2025, 4pm. Second essay due 2 Oct 2025, 4pm.
Participation 10% Participation (based on attendance, preparation of readings, and contribution to class activities)
In-class test 17 Oct 2025 20% In-class short answer test (50 minutes)

Textbooks / Resources

Recommended Reading

Saich, Tony; Governance and politics of China ; 4th edition, fully revised and updated; Palgrave Macmillan, 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.

Indicative Fees

Domestic fee $894.00

International fee $4,100.00

* 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

  • POLS211-25S2 (C) Semester Two 2025
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