Hong Kong Polytechnic University GEC 2805 Governing China: Chinese Politics and Legal System 2012 2013

3 Semester 1 Course Outline Teacher: Office: Phone: Email: Office Hour: Jackson K S Cho A507 3400 3757 gekscho@polyu.edu.hk By email appointment, but you are also welcome to pop in

Brief Description: Over the past 60 years, China has gone through different stages in her development, from a regime which emphasized a lot on control and egalitarianism in Maos era to one that allows people to enjoy comparatively more freedom and material benefits. For sure, therere lots of changes happened in China. However, one crucial question to this is: how is China governed? This course aims at introducing students how China is governed through an analysis of Chinese politics and its legal system. Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of the course, students should be able to: Understand the structure of the Chinese Communist Party and how it governs China; Understand the central local relations dynamics; Identify some of the major governance problems that China is facing; Understand the political development of Taiwan and how China deals with Taiwan; Understand how China conducts her foreign policy and what are the major concerns when dealing with other powers, particularly the US Understand the basics of the Chinese legal system and how the legal elements function in China.

Exclusion Requirement:

Students who have taken APSS292 Chinese Politics are not allowed to take this subject.
Medium of Instruction: The medium of instruction in this course is English. Occasionally and where suitable, Cantonese will be used to illustrate some key points. Topics: Chinese Politics: 1. Historical Background: Maos China 2. The current party-state regime: The role of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in the political system, the party organization and changes of the CCP. 3. The central governing apparatus: Central government and political institutions including the National Peoples Congress, State Council, Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Conference, and the Central Military Commission. 4. Central local relationship. 5. Democratization and Political Participation in China. 6. The Taiwan Question 7. Foreign Policy

8. Major Challenges in the twenty-first century: Corruption Population Issues Environmental Degradation Chinese Legal System: 9. The Constitutional system, major characteristics, basic organization of the legal system, and understanding major Chinese laws 10. The operation of Chinese legal institutions and its reform. Required Reading: Saich, Tony. (2011). Governance and politics of China, 3rd ed., New York: Palgrave Macmillan. [the book is available in PolyUs bookshop at a discount price of $226.1 by showing your Student ID Card. Further bulk purchase discount is available for purchase of 10 books or more at one time: $221.] Chen, H. Y. A. (2011). An introduction to the legal system of the Peoples Republic of China (4th ed.). Hong Kong: Lexis/Nexis. Chow, Daniel C.K. (2009). The Legal System of the People's Republic of China in a Nutshell, 2nd ed., St Paul, MN: West Group. Assessment of Learning Outcomes: There is a quiz, which will be held at the end of the course. The quiz date is 18 December, 2012. To pass this course, you must try your best to attend the lectures. In addition, students HAVE TO READ the relevant chapters / sections of the required reading. The required reading is available from the Reserve Collection of the Library located on the G/F or you can get it from the University Bookshop. The quiz will mainly be around the ideas and arguments discussed in the textbook and the lectures. Students are therefore reminded not just to depend on the PowerPoint notes discussed in class. In addition, there will be questions related to the videos played in class and so class attendance is essential for passing this course. Grading: (Passing Mark: 50%) Subject grade Short description A+ Exceptionally Outstanding A B+ B C+ C D+ D F Outstanding Very Good Good Wholly Satisfactory Satisfactory Barely Satisfactory Barely Adequate Inadequate

Mark 85 or above 80 84 75 79 70 74 65 69 60 64 55 59 50 54 Below 50