Introduction to Chinese Contemporary History (Online Course/Asianet) (5cr)
Course unit code: C-10089-EAST0118
General information
- Credits
- 5 cr
- Teaching language
- English
- Institution
- University of Turku
Objective
Students will learn the course of contemporary Chinese history (c. 1949 to present), its major events, personages, policies, contradictions and development. As transferable skills, students will learn how to assimilate and understand large amounts of new information through following online lectures and reading research literature, as well as academic English listening, and writing skills.
Content
The course introduces students to Chinese contemporary history from the 1949 revolution to the present. The central theme in the course is to follow the folding and unfolding of the Communist experiment in China and the emergence of a new economic and political superpower by the early 21st century. Questions such as the nature of the communist revolution, Mao Zedong and his legacy, the Great Leap Forward, the Cultural Revolution, Deng Xiaoping and the reform era policies as well as more recent political and social developments until and including the first decade of Xi Jinping are discussed during the course from the historical point of view. The course is essential for those who want to gain deeper understanding of the great social, economic and political transformation of China in contemporary history.
Materials
Paltemaa, Lauri and Juha Vuori (2012): Kiinan kansantasavallan historia OR David Shambaugh (2021): China's Leaders: From Mao to Now
Execution methods
A continuous online course. Home exam is arranged at least three times a term as well as summer exams in June and August with essay type of questions The course is offered through the Finnish University Network for Asian Studies https://www.www.asianet.fi/.
Accomplishment methods
REGISTRATION A continuous online course. Students from the University of Turku, and the other member universities of the Finnish University Network for Asian Studies can register for this course through the Peppi or Sisu systems any time of the year. STARTING THE COURSE There will be no acceptance notification or email invitation to the course. After registration students can access the course site immediately and independently in UTU Moodle and start studying. Log in through HAKA Login with your own university’s user account. Find the course yourself from UTU Moodle with the course code and name, no course key is needed. Home exam is arranged at least three times a term as well as summer exams in June and August with essay type of questions.