May 2020

Hong Kong Community College

Subject Description Form

Subject Code SHDH2030

Subject Title Social Development in China

Credit Value 3

Level 2

Medium of English and Chinese (Cantonese)

Instruction

Pre-requisite / Nil
Co-requisite/
Exclusion

Prior Knowledge Nil

Objectives This subject provides students with an overview of the general social
development in China after 1949, and a basic understanding of the
important issues involved. It guides students to consider some basic
theories relevant to explaining social development in China and certain
commonly-held views concerning China’s development experience. It
also guides students to begin examining the dilemmas and controversies
in social development in China.

Intended Learning Upon completion of the subject, students will be able to:
Outcomes
(a) identify issues in the course of social development in China;

(b) discuss social development in China from different theoretical

perspectives;

(c) analyse significant issues of development in China;

(d) identify the dilemmas in social development that China is facing;

(e) outline an overview of the general social development in China after

1949.

Subject Synopsis/ Concepts and Theories of Social Development

Indicative Syllabus Marxism and Socialist China; Social Development and Modernisation;
Political and Economic reform; Rural industrialisation.

Employment and State Enterprise Reform

Danwei; Privatisation; State enterprise reform; Changing employment
structure; Unemployment; Social security.

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Growing Social Inequality

Social classes in transformation; Globalisation; Dualistic development;
Rural poverty and rural unrest.

Social Problem and Social Issues

Rural-urban population flow; Aging, Changing family structure; Gender
equality; Democratisation; Human Rights and Rule of Law.

Teaching/Learning Lectures will focus on explaining concepts and theories as well as

Methodology outlining the key issues of social development in China. They will be
delivered, whenever necessary, with the aid of audio-visual materials and
actual research reports.
In tutorials, students will be divided into small groups to conduct
presentations of their seminar presentation projects on selected issues.
Case studies will also be used in tutorials to discuss dilemmas and
controversies faced by China in its course of social development.

Assessment A variety of assessment tools will be used to develop and assess students’
Methods in achievement of the subject intended learning outcomes.
Alignment with
Intended Learning Specific assessment % Intended subject
Outcomes methods/tasks weighting learning outcomes to be
assessed

a b c d e

Continuous Assessment 100

 Test 30    

 Individual Assignment 20    

 Group Project 1 20     

 Group Project 2 20     

 Participation 10     

Total 100
To pass this subject, students are required to obtain Grade D or above in
the Continuous Assessment.

Test is used to assess students’ understanding of and ability to critically

interpret the social issues in Chinese society.

Individual assignment taps into critical thinking and analytical skills by

requiring students to discuss issues explored in the course from different
theoretical perspectives.

Group projects assess students’ analytical and presentation skills when

identifying and evaluating social phenomena.
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As for participation, students are expected to actively involve in

discussions and in-class activities during lectures and tutorials.

Student Study Class contact Hours

Effort Expected
 Lecture 26

 Tutorial 13

Other student study effort

 Self-study 94

Total student study effort 133

Reading List and Recommended Textbook

References
There is no prescribed textbook for this subject. Readings can include
materials from the Internet and/or other materials from libraries.

References

Lee, P. (2016). Chinese Society - Change and Transformation. London:

Routledge.

MacFarquhar, R. (2011). The Politics of China: Sixty Years of the

People's Republic of China. (3rd ed.). Cambridge: Cambridge University
Press.

Mok, K. H. (2000). Social and Political Development in Post-Reform

China. London: Macmillan Press.

Perry, E. J. (2003). Chinese Society: Change, Conflict and Resistance.

London: Routledge.

Zang, X. (ed.) (2016) Understanding Chinese Society. (2nd ed.). London:

Routledge.

丁學良:《共產主義後與中國》, 香港: 牛津大學出版社。1994 年。

陳健民、鍾華:《艱難的轉型現代化與中國社會》, 香港：中文大學
出版社。2015 年。

張德勝 :《思入風雲: 現代中國的思想發展與社會變遷》, 台北巿: 巨

流圖書公司。1997 年。

The Reading List and References are indicative. Relevant reading

materials will be suggested and assigned from time-to-time when they are
deemed appropriate.