Time Schedule:
Ketty A. Loeb
POL S 447
Seattle Campus
Selected comparative political problems, political institutions, processes, and issues in comparative perspective. Strongly recommended: POL S 204.
Class description
This course explores state and society relations in China during the reform era. We will begin by looking at statist approaches to analyzing the state-society relationship, paying particular attention to depictions of the Chinese party-state as a monolithic, all-powerful regime that penetrates and controls society. We will then unpack this conception of the Chinese state by looking at the forces of factionalism, localism, and Chinese society as it interacts with and influences the state. In so doing, we will address topics including the rise of China's NGO sector; protests over the environment, labor rights, and social welfare provision; state vs. social control of the internet and other media sources; the one-child policy; religious freedom; Chinese democracy; state and society responses to natural disasters. Some background in contemporary Chinese politics is recommended, but not required.
Student learning goals
General method of instruction
Recommended preparation
Class assignments and grading
