Course
Course 15 credits • COSM23
The course surveys and analyses the momentous cultural, social, political and economic changes that have taken place in the People’s Republic of China (PRC) since the early 1980s.
The course starts with a brief account of contemporary history, religion and culture, as well as geography and demography. The course examines the co-existence of continuity and change in relation to identity, beliefs, and social and political values. It particularly addresses how social and political developments affect different individuals and groups of people such as women, religious groups and ethnic minorities, workers, peasants and officials. The course also focuses on different institutions and organizations such as work places, civic associations, the media, and legal and political institutions. Furthermore, it discusses and contextualizes issues and problems concerning poverty and inequality, citizenship and governance, freedom of expression, demographic changes, environment and urbanization. All the questions in the course are discussed from a gender perspective. The digital development and its importance for the Chinese society is a special focus, as is China’s growing regional and global role.
The course is divided into four parts: history, culture and traditions, geography and demography; media, law and civil society; rural and urban developments, ideology and politics; and welfare, economic developments and the environment. The course builds on theories from different disciplines at the same time as an interdisciplinary perspective is stimulated. The course also makes use of and analyses visual materials such as documentary film.
            
                
                        
	Study period:
	
                            spring semester 2024
                        
	
                    
            
                
                        
	Type of studies:
	
                            
                                full time, 
                            
                                day
                            
                        
	
                    
            
                
                        
	Study period:
	2024-01-15 – 2024-03-19
	
                    
            
                
                        
	Language of instruction:
	English
	
                    
            
                
                        
                            
	Application code:
	LU-59650
	
                        
                    
            
                
                        
	Eligibility:
	The student must have a Bachelor's degree in social sciences or humanities. English 6/English course B from Swedish upper secondary school
	
                    
            
        
            
                Teachers:
                
                    
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            Stefan Brehm,
                        
                    
                
                    
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            Benjamin Davies,
                        
                    
                
                    
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            Martin Lavička,
                        
                    
                
                    
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            Nicholas Loubere,
                        
                    
                
                    
                            
                        
                    
                        
                            Marina Svensson
                        
                    
                
                
            
        
Information on included parts
- Individual Seminar Paper I , 4.5 credits
 - Individual Seminar Paper II , 4.5 credits
 - Individual Take-Home Exam , 6 credits
 
                                Second Admission Round
                                
                                Nationell ansökningsomgång
                                
                                Spring semester 2026
                            
Late application
Possibly opens 15 December
