The Politics of Celebrity, Sex and 'Alternative' Lifestyles in China
| Code | School | Level | Credits | Semesters |
| POLI4190 | Politics and International Relations | 4 | 20 | Autumn UK |
- Code
- POLI4190
- School
- Politics and International Relations
- Level
- 4
- Credits
- 20
- Semesters
- Autumn UK
Summary
This module will introduce students to developments in Chinese society, media and popular culture. Through the vehicle of alternative lifestyles, it will examine the political, social and economic contexts that have given rise to expanded opportunities, and concomitant responses from the state, for personal and political expression. The module will provide detailed studies of Chinese celebrity, sex, internet culture, self-development, and numerous subcultures through a lens of class, gender, urbanization and generation change.
Target Students
Available to PGT and Year 4 MSci International Relations and Global Issues students in the School of Politics and International Relations. Also available to students on the MRes Politics and International Relations plan, and incoming exchange students based in the School of Politics and International Relations.
Classes
This module is taught through a combination of lectures and seminars.
Assessment
- 50% Coursework 1: 2,000-word essay
- 50% Coursework 2: 2,000-word case study
Assessed by end of autumn semester
Educational Aims
Aims:1. To familiarise students with rarely observed aspects of Chinese society and its development.2. To expand student understanding of contemporary China and help situate aspects of the cultural economy and popular culture in their broader social, economic and political contexts.3. To deepen student awareness of and ability to critically engage with different approaches to understanding and explaining socio-cultural phenomena in China and elsewhere.4. To develop skills for identifying, evaluating and critically assessing different sources of information about contested issues.5. Expand familiarity with appropriate theoretical, conceptual and analytical tools appropriate to the study the political aspects of popular cultural products.Learning Outcomes
(A) Knowledge and understanding:
- Demonstrate understanding of the developments in Chinese politics, economy and society and their relation to the cultural economy, pop culture and individual attitudes and behaviours.
- Demonstrate knowledge of social and technological changes and the response of individuals and governments to expanded opportunities for self-expression.
- Engage critically with theories and concepts designed to explain the attitudes, values and behaviours of Chinese people in the sphere of cultural politics.
(B) Intellectual skills:
- Digesting, evaluating and synthesizing information from a variety of sources.
- Demonstrate the capacity to assess the validity and utility of relevant materials produced by different actors.
- Capacity to construct, support and communicate arguments on the basis of substantive knowledge and critical analysis.
(C) Professional and practical skills:
- Work independently to design, plan and execute research interpret and critically evaluate key primary sources and secondary material, and construct detailed, well-referenced arguments.
(D) Transferable (key) skills:
- Develop problem-solving skills by engaging with texts and critically assessing their arguments, meaning and relevance.
- Show initiative and self-motivation by working independently as to draw on primary and secondary sources.
- Demonstrate high standards of verbal and written communication by expressing well-referenced ideas confidently, clearly and convincingly.