This course aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of contemporary China, with a focus on three main aspects: the socio-cultural dimension; the political context and economic transformations; China’s gradual integration into the world economy in the context of globalization and modernity. Throughout the course, discussions will focus on how an informed understanding of China's historical past and culture can help us make sense of China's present and give us an inkling of where China may be headed in the future.

Knowledge and understanding: the student will have acquired the necessary analytical tools to discuss the most relevant issues concerning political and economic development in post-1978 China. The student will also have acquired critical knowledge about the relevance and complexity of state-society relations in contemporary China; the working mechanisms of the private/state-owned business sectors; the implications at the global level of China’s economic rise. Capacity to apply knowledge and understanding: the student will be able to gradually apply the knowledge in relations to dynamics of China’s political and fast-changing business environment through the practical activities foreseen during on campus and online activities such as participation in working groups, classroom debates and seminars with guest speakers. Judgmental Autonomy: the student will be able to critically evaluate the impact of economic, political and societal changes brought about by important areas in contemporary China on different sectors (industry, finance, trade, E-commerce and digital) and how they contribute to China’s ascent role in the world economy. The student will also have developed: 1) the necessary critical awareness to understand major differences between Chinese and Western economic and business cultures; 2) specific awareness to how to deal with cross-cultural situations with a focus on China. Communication skills: the student will have gained the ability to communicate the notions learned thanks to the transversal skills (critical analysis skills, synthesis skills, ability to organize team work and team building) acquired during the course. Learning capacity: the student will be able to conduct his / her own activity by putting into practice the techniques acquired during the lectures and during regular on campus activities carried out individually, in the classroom and at home

The course is divided into three modules. The first module focuses on key aspects of Chinese culture, such as Confucian ethics and the relevance of guanxi; the second module deals with key aspects of China’s domestic politics and economic reforms, the role of the Chinese Communist Party; the third and last module focuses on China’s global agenda: the relationship with Europe and the United States, China’s interests and principles in global governance and key sectors (AI, the digital economy, etc.).

1) Shaun Breslin, China Risen? Studying Chinese Global Power, Bristol University Press, 2021. 2) Yanjie Bian, Guanxi, How China Works, Polity Press China Today, 2019. 3) additional readings (academic articles) and material (news and videos) posted on Luiss Learn

Teaching methods: Lectures: Lectures by professors and external experts; Approach: inquiry-based learning; problem-based Learning; peer education; Luiss Learn

Assessment method: Group project (30%); Midterm assessment (30%); Final exam (40%)

Quality of the proposed issue for the thesis