Introduction to China

Dr Benjamin Habib

5.0 (2)
COURSES

In this subject students are introduced to China. The lectures are tied together by several common themes, including China’s incredible geographic, ethnic and cultural diversity, it’s dual exceptionalist and wounded nationalism, and the Deng Xiaoping-era social bargain between the Communist Party and the Chinese people based on improving living standards in exchange for acquiescence to one-party rule.

09/02/2013

Popular Culture and the CCP Social Bargain

Young people have been at the vanguard of every significant social movement in China for over a century, yet the youth archetype has changed significantly over this period. This lecture explores what it means to be a young person in China today, examining the relationship of Chinese youth with the one-party state and the Communist Party’s grand legitimacy bargain, along with their interactions with the market economy and the world outside of China. Copyright 2013 Benjamin Habib / La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Contact for permissions.

1h 18m
08/26/2013

Gender and the Family in China

Gender and family relations in China have changed dramatically over the past century, reflecting the socio-economic and political transformation of the country from a feudal-dynastic realm under the Qing empire to a modern nation-state ruled by the Chinese Communist Party. This lecture traces this evolution by comparing workplace, marriage and reproductive politics from the late dynastic period, Mao-era and post-reform China, identifying Confucianism, communist ideology and market forces as critical drivers of this change. Copyright 2013 Benjamin Habib / La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Contact for permissions.

1h 11m
08/20/2013

Deng Xiaoping and the Chinese Economic Miracle

Since the inauguration of Deng Xiaoping’s economic reform program in 1978, China has grown to become the world’s second-largest economic power. It’s export-driven economic model has seen it become the locus of global economic production and the world’s largest creditor state. This lecture examines the pivotal role of Deng Xiaoping in reforming China’s Mao Zedong-era command economy, tracing the contours of Deng’s reform program and identifying looming challenges ahead for China’s economic miracle. Copyright 2013 Benjamin Habib / La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Contact for permissions.

1h 13m
08/12/2013

Mao Zedong and his Political Legacy

Mao Zedong's influence on governance, his legacy, and the reaction to it are integral to the story of politics in post-1949 China. His accomplishments as a military leader and revolutionary are significant, however his record as a national leader if more ambiguous. This lecture evaluates the Mao Zedong era and illustrates how Mao's legacy continues to influence Chinese politics today. Copyright 2013 Benjamin Habib / La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Contact for permissions.

1h 17m
08/06/2013

Han Exceptionalism vs The Century of Shame

China is one of the oldest and richest civilisations in human history, traditionally occupying a central position in world affairs. Yet China descended into a century of decline after the First Opium War, a period of chaos that saw the demise of the Qing dynasty and the descent of the post-dynastic nationalist republic into civil war. This lecture documents China's century of decline and evaluates the forces that shattered the old dynastic order and plunged the country into political chaos. Copyright 2013 Benjamin Habib / La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Contact for permissions.

1h 17m
07/30/2013

One China or Many China’s?

China is a country of enormous scale and rich diversity, the governance of which can be considered as one of the greatest social engineering projects in human history. This lecture explores China's geographic, ethnic, cultural and economic diversity and considers the challenges this poses to social cohesion, economic vitality and political stability. Copyright 2013 Benjamin Habib / La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Contact for permissions.

42 min

6 Episodes

5

out of 5

2 Ratings

Best Survey of China Lecture in iTunes U

09/06/2014

jimcoyer

In my view, Dr Habib’s lectures in this series simply the best in iTunesU on China. I found the structure, content, presentation, and coverage outstanding for a person interested in learning about and understanding China more. He efficiently packs a primer on Chinese history, economics, culture, religion, government, and popular culture into 6 engaging lectures. Highly recommended.

In this subject students are introduced to China. The lectures are tied together by several common themes, including China’s incredible geographic, ethnic and cultural diversity, it’s dual exceptionalist and wounded nationalism, and the Deng Xiaoping-era social bargain between the Communist Party and the Chinese people based on improving living standards in exchange for acquiescence to one-party rule.

Creator

Dr Benjamin Habib
Years Active

2K
Episodes

6
Rating

Clean
Show Website

Introduction to China

Courses

Courses

Updated 10/30/2013
Courses

Courses

Updated 02/27/2014
Courses

Courses

Updated 06/27/2014
Courses

Courses

Updated 05/26/2014
Courses

Courses

Updated 05/30/2012
Courses

Courses

Updated 01/29/2013
Courses

Courses

Updated 06/11/2013

Introduction to China

Episodes

Popular Culture and the CCP Social Bargain

Gender and the Family in China

Deng Xiaoping and the Chinese Economic Miracle

Mao Zedong and his Political Legacy

Han Exceptionalism vs The Century of Shame

One China or Many China’s?

Ratings & Reviews

Best Survey of China Lecture in iTunes U

About

Information

More From La Trobe University