China in Global History

Code School Level Credits Semesters
INTS4036 School of International Studies 4 10 Spring China
Code
INTS4036
School
School of International Studies
Level
4
Credits
10
Semesters
Spring China

Summary

The module is divided into three chorological parts. The first part deals with different perspectives of late imperial China, focusing on the role of the Mongol empire in the reconstruction of “China” in the early Ming era, the economic and climatic factors behind the Ming-Qing transition in the early 17th century, and the controversial nature of the Qing empire.

The module’s second part looks at the characteristics of traditional Chinese society using comparative and transregional perspectives. Topics include: the traditional Chinese socioeconomic structure and its extension overseas, comparative studies of China and the West (old and new), and the impact-response thesis and its critics.

The third part examines China’s modern transformation. It first explores the ethnic dilemmas inherent in China’s national reconfigurations, primarily in its borderlands, in the late Qing era. In the following, problems of modernization in republican China, the foundations of the Chinese communist victory, and the vision and reality of the Cultural Revolution are also considered.

Overall, this module looks at the historical narratives of China since its early modern period to the modern era in the wider world context, and reviews several historiographical interpretations for each topic. For students enrolled in this module, some knowledge of modern China is recommended but not required.

Please note: This module is assessed at the end of Spring semester.  First sit/ Re-sit exams are scheduled normally in the summer and can take the same form as the missing/ failed component of the assessment (exam, essay etc.) or other form, as decided by the School.

Target Students

Postgraduate students enrolled in programmes offered by the School of International Studies, Open to students in other schools subject to availability

Classes

Assessment

Assessed by end of spring semester

Educational Aims

This is a seminar-centred module entitled “China and the World.” To learn something intellectually meaningful through this module, we need, first, to ask: What is China, and how can history help us understand it in a broad socio-political context. Keeping these questions in mind, the module introduces students to various historical and historiographical lenses through which they can see how China has changed over the past seven centuries and how it reached its current stage of development while interacting with other parts of the world. By doing so, the module not only presents a historical overview of modern China, but also encourages students to explore different historical perspectives concerning its past.

Learning Outcomes

(a) Knowledge and understanding
By the end of the module, in their assessed work, students should be able to:
i. Understand the main intellectual and political developments in modern China.
ii. Explain China’s historical role in the international arena.
iii. Understand the major theoretical approaches to studying Chinese history in the wider world.
iv. Demonstrate the relationship between the global and domestic political arenas
   (b)  Intellectual skills
By the end of the module the students should be able to:
i. Think critically and imaginatively about the subject matter
ii. Assess the key approaches to international relations and assess their applicability to China
iii. Use and interpret primary and secondary sources, and be aware of competing interpretations of the subject
iv. Construct independent and coherent arguments (the seminar format allows greater development of oral skills)
  (c)  Professional and practical skills
The module will develop students’ ability to:
i. Select, sift and synthesise information from a range of primary and secondary sources
ii. Identify and compare key arguments in the material
iii. Demonstrate appropriate referencing and bibliographic skills
iv. Use the intranet to access the library catalogue
(d)  Transferable skills
The module will develop students’ ability to:
i. Express themselves clearly, coherently and fluently in essays
ii. Work and learn independently and actively with others
iii. Manage and take responsibility for their own learning
iv. Use IT to prepare their assessed essays
v. Contribute to class discussions

Conveners

View in Curriculum Catalogue
Last updated 09/01/2025.