Study Guide

Objective

After the completion of the course, students are able to:

- Comprehend the central and complex role of politics in China
- Understand the paradox of China; why the party is at the same time omnipotent, but in many cases impotent
- Have knowledge of Chinese politics, political system, institutions
- Understand, analyze and form an understanding of the causes and consequences of China’s rapid globalization
- Discern political motivations and consequences of China’s globalization and its impact on the Arctic regions.

Content

The course consists of two overlapping sections: an introduction to the political system of China and China as a global actor with a focus on the Arctic regions. Understanding the politics and political system of China is the essential tool to understanding China’s globalization strive and its regional implications in the Artic regions. In introducing the political system of China, the course provides an overview of the political history, structure, central-regional relations, factional politics within the Communist Party and recent political development in China.

This view provides a solid basis for analyzing one of the most significant changes in the world—China’s changing role in the world. During the last decade China has become increasingly active in seeking resources, markets, talents and political influence in all corners of the world including the Arctic region. The course will provide an analytical view of the role of the Party and other institutional actors in this process. During the course, we will study the political motivation of China’s global outreach and how Beijing is consequently reshaping the global order. We will then compare these processes with increasing Chinese activities in the Arctic region and identify various actors and processes how Beijing and Chinese companies are acting in the Artic regions.

Location and time

4th of Nov - 9th of Dec, University of Lapland D 156 Auditorium

Materials

The study material of the course consists of journal articles, book chapters and documentaries. Course material is provided in Moodle.

Teaching methods

Teaching will be contact teaching.

Exam schedules

Exam dates (incl second exam) will be decided together with students during the first lecture.

Further information

A degree student attending the Lapland University of Applied Sciences can register free of charge for LUC studies offered by the University of Lapland, if the studies can be linked to their own degree. Enrollment takes place through the Applicant’s Desktop of the University of Lapland: https://hakeutuminen-lay.peppi4.lapit.csc.fi/web/hakijan-tyopoyta/. From the left hand menu, first select "Study selection" and then "LUC studies YO”, and you will see the entire offering. Choose the study unit in question and register.

Evaluation scale

H-5

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

Fail. Student doesn’t understand or grasp central cultural, institutional or polito-economic concepts or processes of the given course. In addition, in answering the essay questions the student fails to illustrate elementary China-related societal trajectories or knowledge. Understanding of China and the course topic remains incompetent.

1. Well, the student illustrates minimal understanding of the course content. However, the answers may contain misunderstandings and direct mistakes that hinders formulation of more comprehensive knowledge of the given topic. Essay answers illustrate that the student has some knowledge of certain areas, but lack a comprehensive basic knowledge of the course subject and key concepts.
2. More or less ok. The student illustrates moderate knowledge of the given subject. Essay answers illustrate that the student has grasped basic knowledge of the course content, but still contain some misinterpretations and/or mistakes. The answers can be too limited or too long, illogical and lack focus. The structure of the answers may be blurred.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

3. Good. Answers expose that the student has internalized the course content and central concepts. Essay answers expose that the student tackles the given question in a structured manner, illustrate comprehension of the subject, and expose analytical skills. However, the answers still contain certain misinterpretations / mistakes.
4. Commendable. Answers illustrate that the student has a commendable understanding and knowledge of the given subject and key concepts. Essay answers are clear, well-structured and key concepts well defined. The interpretation of the course material is presented in coherent and discussive manner.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

5. Excellent. Answers expose that the student has deep understanding and knowledge of the course subject. In essays the student is able not only to define the concepts and societal trajectories correctly, but more over the argumentation of essays are reflective and reasoning logical. Essay answers are structured in coherent and logical fashion.

Further information

Lecturer: Matti Puranen (Ph.D), University of Jyväskylä