This multidisciplinary course examines language, discourse and political culture in China since 1949. It assumes no prior knowledge of China or the Chinese language, and it has two interrelated parts. In the first, we examine the most colossal programme of centrally-directed 'mind control' in human history – the Chinese Communist Party's attempt between 1949 and 1978 to create new, revolutionary human beings through the control of language and discourse. What were the origins of this attempt? How did it affect people's behaviour? How did it affect Chinese culture? And how successful was it in changing people’s ideas and values? In the second part of the course we will explore the enormous changes that have occurred since the beginning of the Reform Era in 1978. Why did Deng Xiaoping and his successors relax centralised controls over language and discourse? What social and economic changes have encouraged the emergence of new discourses and cultural forms? What opportunities have been created by the explosive growth of the internet? How does the government continue to regulate the media, monitor the internet, and manipulate public debate? How have people sought to evade these controls? What critical discourses still manage to flourish? And why, when so many things have changed in China, does the Chinese Communist Party still use the traditional language of Marxism-Leninism-Mao Zedong Thought? The answers to questions like these offer many insights into continuity and change in China since 1949. 

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Explain continuity and change in the expressive, persuasive, and coercive use of discourse in China since 1949.
2. Appraise the purpose and function of Chinese official discourse, and have an enhanced ability to decode.
3. Analyse examples of Chinese discourse, linking them to their political, economic, and social contexts.
4. Locate source material on Chinese discourse, place it in its context, and then apply it to construct an argument that displays an understanding of China.
5. Characterise the expressive, persuasive, and coercive functions of language and discourse, and the ways in which language and discourse are linked to political, economic, and social contexts.

Research-Led Teaching

This course intersects with Associate Professor Ji's research and publication on language, discourse and politics in China from the ancient times to the present.

Field Trips

NA

Examination Material or equipment

One page hand-written notes (A4, single-sided).

Required Resources

No additional resources outside the readings for the course are required.

Recommended Resources

Reading materials for this course will be available on Canvas.

Staff Feedback

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

• Written comments
• Verbal comments
• Feedback to the whole class, to groups, to individuals, focus groups

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). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Lecture OneIntroduction: Language, discourse and power in traditional China	Introduction, Course assessment, Oral presentation sign-up
2	Lecture TwoRevolution, discourse and society in Mao's China (1949-1966)
3	Lecture ThreeHegemony, discourse and politics during the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976)	Oral presentations start from this week.
4	Lecture FourUsing Maoist discourse to dismantle Mao's policies.
5	Lecture FiveThe emergence of diverse social discourses in the 1980s-90s.
6	Lecture SixCo-opting the forces of change: Jiang Zemin and the "Three Represents".
7	Lecture Seven"Putting People First" - Official discourse and political culture under Hu Jingtao and Xi Jinping
8	Lecture EightDiscourse of traditional Chinese culture in the 'New Era'.
9	Lecture Nine"Managing" online discourse communities
10	Lecture TenLinguistic landscape and discourse hegemony
11	Lecture Eleven"Dual circulation", "New Quality Productivity", and "building a community with a shared furture for mankind".
12	Lecture TwelveLanguage, discourse and political cultiure in China: continuity, change and the theoretical reflections.

Tutorial Registration

If the enrolment is under 20, there will be no need for tutorial registration. Tutorials will be for discussions and oral presentations. Students' attendance and active participation are essential.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Reading summaries (20%)	20 %	18/03/2026	01/04/2026	3, 4, 5
Oral presentation (25%)	25 %	09/03/2026	23/03/2026	1, 2, 3
Final written exam (50%)	50 %	10/06/2026	*	1-5
Active participation in tutorial discussions 5%	5 %	06/03/2026	02/07/2026	1-5

* 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 Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure

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 ANU Online website Students may choose not to submit assessment items through Turnitin. In this instance you will be required to submit, alongside the assessment item itself, hard copies of all references included in the assessment item.

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.

Participation

Class attendance is strongly encouraged. Active participation in tutorial discussions and asking questions at peers' presentation sessions count for 5% of the course assessment. Students must attend the tutorial class for which they have signed up for their own presentation. Failing so without a valid reason, such as emergency or sickness, will result in the student receiving a zero mark for their presentation.

Examination(s)

The final written exam will be conducted in person on campus. It will be during the University exam period.

Assessment Task 1

Reading summaries (20%)

Submitting reading summaries as an indication of having read and fully understodd the assigned readings.

The ASIA2014 students must read at least 5 articles, one from each historical period.

After reading each article, write a critique in 200-300 words which must address the two basic questions (for details see course outline on Canvas).

Rubric

Reading summary 1	4%	due 18 March
Reading summary 2	4%	due 1 April
Reading summary 3	4%	due 22 April
Reading summary 4	4%	due 6 May
Reading summary 5	4%	due 20 May

Assessment Task 2

Oral presentation (25%)

The oral presentation is based on the readings assigned for the course. Students can choose any of the readings prescribed for their oral presentation which needs to cover the main points of the material (the author's view) while providing a critical analysis based on your own research on the topic. Presenters must upload your presentation outline (including the references) on Canvas on the Monday of your presentation week at the latest.

The oral presentation will be conducted at the tutorial time starting from week 3. The duration for the oral presentation is 8 minutes (15%), followed by answering questions from the floor (10%). A sign-up for the oral presentation is required.

Feedback for your oral presentation will be communicated electronically within two weeks after your presentation.

Rubric

Oral presentation	25%	due between 9 March and 25 May,
Presentation	15%	due date depends on individual students' choice of the date for their presentation
Answer questions based on the presentation	10%	due date depends on inividual students' choice of the date for their presentation

Assessment Task 3

Final written exam (50%)

This is a three-hour closed-book exam which covers all the topics. Students are allowed to take into the examination room hand-written notes on an A4-sized paper (one side only).

Rubric

Final written exam	50%	University exam period

Assessment Task 4

Active participation in tutorial discussions 5%

Students are expected to attend and make active contribution to the tutorial discussions, and to ask quesions at the tutorials when other students are giving oral presentations. This is not only to show your active involvement in the subject matter being discussed, it also demonstrates your critical thinking, and your contribution to the dynamics of the intellectual environment in the class.

Rubric

Active participation in tutorial discussions	5%

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of our culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically. This means that all members of the community commit to honest and responsible scholarly practice and to upholding these values with respect and fairness. The Australian National University commits to embedding the values of academic integrity in our teaching and learning. We ensure that all members of our community understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with. The University has policies and procedures in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Visit the following Academic honesty & plagiarism website for more information about academic integrity and what the ANU considers academic misconduct. The ANU offers a number of services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. The Academic Skills and Learning Centre offers a number of workshops and seminars that you may find useful for your studies.

Online Submission

The ANU uses 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. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.

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

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

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Returning Assignments

All assignments will be returned within two weeks from the starting dates.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure The Course Convener may grant extensions 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 Diversity 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