Area of Focus Spotlight: China Studies
Why China Studies by dr. Yalin Xin
China, as the most noted country in economic and technological development in the past four decades, is becoming an active player in international development today. According to the World Bank report, from 1990 to 2015, China lifted approximate 700 million people our of poverty (from 62% down to 0.7%). Since 2013, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has steadily grown on a global scale, with contracts, projects, development plans drawn by China with over a hundred participating countries.
Some facts about China in international development:
China was top on the list of poverty relief effort eradicating extreme poverty According to United Nations MDG 2015 report, “As a result of progress in China, the extreme poverty rate in Eastern Asia has dropped from 61 per cent in 1990 to only 4 per cent in 2015.”
China has become the second largest economy in the world
China is among the most talked about countries in global forums (international development, trade wars, geopolitical tensions)
BRI is the largest international development plan initiated by China, that will not only promote development in the Belt and Road regions, but also cultural exchange and religious dialogue.
China’s Christian movement, almost grew hand in hand with China’s economy in the past four decades, is among the largest and most dynamic in the world
As such, China Studies as an area of focus within WCIU’s MA program in international development is designed to enable students to evaluate key areas of the Chinese society especially as they are related to the emerging trends in culture and society, history and dynamics of Christian movements, China and international development. This area of focus also helps students develop an integrated vantage point through which they may explore further in areas of interests within the general China studies field.
Course 1: Introduction to Contemporary Chinese Culture and Society
This course introduces emerging trends in Chinese culture and society. It covers the period of time from the beginning of China’s economic reform under Deng Xiaoping to the present, and highlights key socio-cultural and economic changes therewithin. These processes of changes are intimately interwoven in the fabrics of China in the past four decades emerging as a major economic power of the world. Students will have the opportunity to explore in depth areas of interests within the scope of the course.
Course 2: Dynamics of Christian Revitalization Movements in China
In this course, students read and research on significant Christian movements historically and contemporarily, particularly the dynamics and expressions of faith of Christian movements in contemporary China. Special attention will be given to the relevancy of such movements to the revitalization of society and insights gleaned from these movements.
Course 3: China and International Development
This course focuses on the major development in China in the past four decades as they relate to international development, including China’s economic growth and its global impact, the Belt and Road Initiatives, trade war with the US, United Nations Millennium Development Goals and Sustainable Development Goals vs China’s development efforts. Students will be able to read from primary sources concerning these areas and research in depth of specific area of development.
