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UCINTCHI237.5 ECTSEnglishBachelor

Encountering China

Faculteit—
NiveauBachelor
Studiejaar2026-2027

Beschrijving

Course goals

At the end of the course, students will be able to:
  1. Explain key aspects of the historical development of the People’s Republic of China and the Communist Party of China.
  2. Recognize and explain important academic debates in political, economic and social aspects of contemporary China.
  3. Understand the role of the state in China and its links to other key institutions (domestic and abroad)
  4. Unpack the facets of ‘global China’ in different geographical contexts, across a global North/South divide.
  5. Interpret and communicate about aspects of Chinese culture and society, both domestically and in different parts of the world. 
Relationship between tests and course goals:
  1. Presentation (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
  2. Midterm Exam (1, 2, 3)
  3. Academic Poster (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)

Content

China is everywhere in our daily lives: from social media platforms like TikTok and fast fashion giants such as Shein and Temu to electric vehicles produced by BYD. Beyond consumer markets, China is investing heavily in railways, oil pipelines, and ports across Asia, Europe, and Africa, while also expanding its military presence worldwide. Yet this global reach is a recent development. Just fifty years ago, China was relatively poor and inward-looking. Today, it is a major international actor. Despite this transformation, many in the West feel they have only a limited understanding of the country and often perceive China and its people as fundamentally different. This course will offer first-hand insights into China and its global role through two interconnected stages. The first part focuses on China itself, exploring how it differs from and resembles the West. We examine its recent history, culture, society and political system, and critically assess how China is portrayed in Western media compared to lived realities. The second part turns to ‘global China’. Building on domestic foundations discussed earlier, we analyse how internal dynamics shape China’s foreign policy and international engagement. Particular attention is given to China’s activities and role in Africa, Asia, and Western countries.


Format
The course combines interactive lectures , seminars and group work. Drawing on grounded and interdisciplinary perspectives, we explore both historical and contemporary issues in China across (trans)local, national, and global contexts.

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