The course has one hour of lecture and one hour of class discussion. Different forms of class discussion will be held, including paired discussion, small group discussions, large group discussion, and short debates. This course aims to teach students how to critically examine China’s technological developments and political as well as social impacts thereof along three dimensions.

I. Chinese government, politics and economics since 1949: elucidates different political contexts of technological policies under different CCP leadership in a chronological order
II. Technology and politics of China: explicates complex political implications of technological developments of China, including how China has transitioned from an industrial economy to an ICT-based economy, the rise of Internet giants Alibaba and Tencent, the relationship between the Internet giants and CCP, as well as how the rise of Chinese fintech influences the authoritarian rule
III. Technology and society of China: helps students critically understand how industrial technologies, Internet and communication technologies, and fintech, have impacted on social norms, social institutions, social class and gender relations of China.

Video of course intro: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHVYgDjFDb4&ab_channel=LiuSarah
(note: the video was shot two years ago and the course convenor has changed the course requirement this year, but the course structure and themes remain relatively intact)