This course examines contemporary Chinese society (1949 to the present). It has three main objectives: (1) to examine the social institutions and structures (e.g., family, household registration system, and education system) shaping everyday life, and the major sources (e.g., gender, urban/rural origin, and class) of inequality in Chinese society; (2) to understand contemporary Chinese society from historical perspectives (e.g., the socialist and post-socialist transitions), and explore the causes and consequences of social change and continuity; and (3) to examine Chinese society from a comparative perspective (e.g., inequality level by international standard), and in relation to key concepts and debates in sociology.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Understand the structures, institutions and processes shaping contemporary Chinese society;
2. Apply key concepts in sociology to evaluate debates about the nature of contemporary Chinese society, the relationship between historical continuity and change, and major social issues facing China;
3. Critically examine empirical research findings on social issues in China;
4. Understand Chinese society by comparing its past with the present and its key statistics by international standards;
5. Develop analytical tools and research for more advanced academic training.

Recommended Resources

Whether you are on campus or studying remotely, there are a variety of online platforms you will use to participate in your study program. These could include videos for lectures and other instruction, two-way video conferencing for interactive learning, email and other messaging tools for communication, interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities, print and/or photo/scan for handwritten work and drawings, and home-based assessment.

ANU outlines recommended student system requirements to ensure you are able to participate fully in your learning. Other information is also available about the various Learning Platforms you may use.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• written comments
• verbal comments
• feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Introduction to the course; China’s modern history in a nutshell	Tutorial participation
2	Family, Marriage, and Kinship	Tutorial participation
3	Household Registration System, Internal Migration, and Rural-Urban Inequality	Tutorial participation
4	Education System and Educational Inequality	Tutorial participation
5	Socialist and Post-Socialist Economic Transitions	Tutorial participation
6	Class and Stratification	Mid-semester in-class exam; Tutorial participation
7	Mid-Semester Break
8	Mid-Semester Break
9	Income and Wealth Inequality	Tutorial participation
10	Gender Inequality	Tutorial participation
11	Population Issues I: Family Planning Policies and Sex Ratio Imbalance	Tutorial participation
12	Population Issues II: Fertility Decline, Population Aging, and Beyond	Tutorial participation
13	Social Norms and Public Opinion	Tutorial participation
14	Understanding Contemporary Chinese Society from Historical and International Comparative Perspectives	Tutorial participation

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Tutorial Participation	10 %	*	28/10/2022	Demonstrate understanding of reading assignments
Tutorial Presentation	10 %	*	*	The aim of the presentation is to elucidate, and critically assess the analytical usefulness of the concepts and arguments used in the readings each week and, through raising insightful questions, stimulate discussion among other members of the group.
Short Essay (1,000 Words)	15 %	*	*	The aim of writing a short essay (tutorial paper) is to (1) summarize the presentation and (2) critically response to comments raised from the audience.
Mid-Semester In-Class Exam	10 %	30/08/2022	02/09/2022	The aim of this exam is to comprehensively measure students' mastery of the materials covered in the first half of the course.
Long Essay (2,500 Words)	30 %	01/11/2022	15/11/2022	The ability to investigate and discuss a research topic in details; The ability to write a well-structured and well-written paper.
2 Hour Final Exam	25 %	*	30/11/2022	The aim of this exam is to comprehensively measure students' mastery of the materials covered in the entire course.

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines , which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Guideline and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Assessment Task 1

Tutorial Participation

All students are expected to participate actively in tutorial discussions, by demonstrating that they have read at least two of the readings required for each tutorial, offering interpretations of the readings, and presenting questions to the tutorial group. The tutor will keep a record of each student's attendance.

Assessment Task 2

Tutorial Presentation

At the first tutorial session, students will be allocated into presentation groups (2-3 students a group) based on the topic for each week. Each group will present once during the semester. Presentations last around 12 to 15 minutes. The aim of the presentation (and the criteria according to which a presentation is assessed) is to elucidate, and critically assess the analytical usefulness of the concepts and arguments used in the readings each week and, through raising insightful questions, stimulate discussion among other members of the group. The group presenting in Week 2 (the first week of presentations) will earn bonus points.

Assessment Task 3

Short Essay (1,000 Words)

Each presentation group is expected to write one short essay (or called tutorial paper) of approximately 1,000 words. Each presentation group should submit a paper on the same topic as their tutorial presentation, but this must be a different topic from that of the long essay by individual students. The short essay (tutorial paper) should address ONE or TWO of the questions raised for tutorial discussion in the relevant week. The aim of writing a short essay (tutorial paper) is to (1) summarize the presentation and (2) critically respond to comments raised from the audience. At the end of the paper, students should specify the contribution of each presentation group member. Equal contribution by group members is highly encouraged. The short essay (tutorial paper) is due at 5 pm Monday of the week after the tutorial presentation. Late submission is not accepted unless permission is granted before the due date.

Assessment Task 4

Mid-Semester In-Class Exam

Students will answer 10 multiple choice questions. All questions are based on materials covered in the first half of the course. The aim of this exam is to comprehensively measure students' mastery of the materials. The mid-semester in-class exam will take place during the last 15 minutes of class in Week 6 (30 August, 2022).

Assessment Task 5

Long Essay (2,500 Words)

Students should choose one essay topic based on materials learnt in this course. They should ensure that the chosen essay topic is NOT the same as the topic of their tutorial presentation and short essay (tutorial paper). This more lengthy essay provides students an opportunity to investigate and discuss a China related topic in more details. It will be accessed by (1) if a clear research question is proposed, (2) if the research question is answered by critical analysis, and (3) if the paper is well-structured and well-written. The long essay is due at 5pm on Tuesday 1 November, 2022. Late submission is not accepted unless permission is granted before the due date.

Assessment Task 6

2 Hour Final Exam

Students will answer 20 multiple choice questions and 2 essay questions. All questions are based on materials covered in the entire course. The aim of this exam is to comprehensively measure students' mastery of the materials. The final exam will take place during the exam period (3-19 November, 2022).

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

• Late submission not permitted. If submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date is not permitted, a mark of 0 will be awarded.
• Late submission permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Access and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students