2019/20 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

EAST5070M Approaching China Through Ethnography

15 creditsClass Size: 30

Module manager: Timothy Thurston
Email: t.thurston@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2019/20

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

China is a dynamic country that is rapidly changing our world. And yet, a strict focus on literature, politics, or economics risks obscuring the lived realities and everyday experiences of those living in China. Through focusing on individuals, communities and their lives, we will examine some of the continuing and emerging issues facing China today in context in order to increase students' understanding of contemporary China as the site of cultural and social diversity and complexity; and as the product of historical change and continuity, as well as of its interconnectedness and position in the world order. In examining important ethnographic texts about life in contemporary China students will develop an understanding of anthropological approaches to the study of contemporary China through the readings and class discussions. In the process, they will also master some key concepts and frameworks that can be applied to their own projects in China and beyond.

Objectives

This module aims at exploring the complexities of the contemporary Chinese world (Broadly construed to include Taiwan, and China’s ethnically diverse Central Asian borders), through reading ethnographies on a variety of topics about the region.

Learning outcomes
By the end of this course, students should be able to:
- critically evaluate a range of theories and ethnographic source material relating to contemporary Chinese society
- locate and use secondary sources relevant to selected topics of contemporary Chinese experience
- have a grasp of the key debates in the anthropology of China

Syllabus

This module covers a range of topics including, gender, ethnicity, kinship, ritual, urbanisation, cultures and environments, and gift cultures in contemporary China.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	11	1.00	11.00
Seminar	11	1.00	11.00
Private study hours			128.00
Total Contact hours			22.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			150.00

Private study

Private study will include preparing readings for lecture and seminar sessions, preparing for seminar presentation, and independent learning on a specific ethnic group as part of writing an essay for assessment. Background reading.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Students will prepare to lead seminar discussions that will allow formative feedback both on the students’ performance and understanding of readings.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	3000 words	70.00
Assignment	Book Review 1000 Words	30.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

There is no reading list for this module

Last updated: 30/04/2018

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