Module POL3202 for 2021/2
- Overview
- Aims and Learning Outcomes
- Module Content
- Indicative Reading List
- Assessment
Undergraduate Module Descriptor
POL3202: China in World Affairs
This module descriptor refers to the 2021/2 academic year.
Module Aims
This module aims to provide you with the analytical tools to critically examine China’s evolving role in world politics. You will develop a keen awareness of the theoretical and conceptual debates surrounding China’s rise and gain an appreciation of the ways in which China’s historical legacy have shaped its worldview and foreign policy. This theoretical, conceptual and historical knowledge will then be applied to analyse China’s contemporary international relations and global governance role. Through a detailed case-study focus on some of China’s bilateral, regional and institutional relationships as well as its involvement in key thematic global governance challenges, you will complete this module with a solid understanding of the complexities surrounding China’s global role in the 21st century.
| On successfully completing the programme you will be able to: | |
|---|---|
| Module-Specific Skills | 1. analyse key theoretical frameworks and contemporary debates on Chinas rise; 2. identify and evaluate the various factors influencing Chinese foreign policy and global engagement; 3. assess Chinas major bilateral, regional and institutional relationships; 4. critically analyse Chinas evolving role in global governance. |
| Discipline-Specific Skills | 5. critically evaluate competing IR theories as they relate to China; 6. deploy theoretical arguments and apply them to empirical case studies. |
| Personal and Key Skills | 7. conduct independent research and write cogent analytical essays; 8. exercise critical independent thinking and formulate critical arguments; 9. communicate effectively through submitted written work and seminar contributions. |
How this Module is Assessed
In the tables below, you will see reference to 'ILO's. An ILO is an Intended Learning Outcome - see Aims and Learning Outcomes for details of the ILOs for this module.
Formative Assessment
A formative assessment is designed to give you feedback on your understanding of the module content but it will not count towards your mark for the module.
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay outlines | 2 x 500 words | 7-9 | Verbal |
Summative Assessment
A summative assessment counts towards your mark for the module. The table below tells you what percentage of your mark will come from which type of assessment.
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 80 | 0 | 20 |
...and this table provides further details on the summative assessments for this module.
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essay 1 | 40 | 3,000 words | 1-9 | Written |
| Essay 2 | 40 | 3,000 words | 1-9 | Written |
| Individual Presentation | 20 | 20 minutes | 1-6, 8-9 | Verbal and written |
Re-assessment
Re-assessment takes place when the summative assessment has not been completed by the original deadline, and the student has been allowed to refer or defer it to a later date (this only happens following certain criteria and is always subject to exam board approval). For obvious reasons, re-assessments cannot be the same as the original assessment and so these alternatives are set. In cases where the form of assessment is the same, the content will nevertheless be different.
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay 1 (40%) | Essay 1 (3,000 words) | 1-9 | August/September reassessment period |
| Essay 2 (40%) | Essay 2 (3,000 words) | 1-9 | August/September reassessment period |
| Presentation (20%) | Individual written assignment, (2,000 words) | 1-6, 8-9 | August/September reassessment period |
