Module manager: Dr Caroline Fielder
Email: c.l.fielder@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
| EAST2711 | Civil Society and the Non-Profit Sector in Contemporary Chin |
This module is not approved as a discovery module
This module examines the growing significance of the non-profit sector in contemporary China, set against the backdrop of the political, economic, and cultural contexts that have shaped its development. By utilising civil society and its diverse conceptualisations as a lens, students engage with case studies and interactive discussions to analyse the intricacies of Chinese society. This approach encourages students to compare and contrast the various ways that different organisations and sectors address social needs, as well as critique their influence on social dynamics, governance, and community engagement, both domestically and globally. As part of the module students discuss key issues, differentiate between various approaches, and distinguish the roles of distinct entities within the non-profit landscape. This method fosters critical thinking and analytical skills, enabling students to examine challenges and opportunities within the sector, including its increasing influence on global civil society. The module provides insights into potential career pathways within non-profit organisations and social entrepreneurship, making it particularly relevant for those interested in pursuing careers in this field. Ultimately, students will emerge with a nuanced perspective on recent developments in both the non-profit sector and broader Chinese society, equipping them with the knowledge and skills necessary to organise, question, and test their understanding of this dynamic landscape effectively. Please note this is an optional module and runs subject to enrolments. If a low number of students choose this module, then the module may not run and you may be asked to choose another module.
This module’s objectives are to provide students with a comprehensive overview of the evolving non-profit sector in China and its global implications. Through a combination of theoretical frameworks and practical case studies, students will engage in learning activities designed to achieve the following objectives:
· Students will explore the political, economic, and cultural contexts that have shaped the non-profit sector in China, enabling them to critically analyse how these factors influence organisational development and social dynamics.
· By utilising civil society as a lens, students will participate in interactive discussions and group debates, which will foster their ability to critique and debate the roles of various organisations in addressing social needs and shaping governance.
· The module will include activities that encourage students to compare and contrast different approaches to civil society, enhancing their capacity to differentiate between the impacts of local and global non-profit organisations.
· Students will engage with real-world case studies to examine a range of non-profit initiatives, helping them relate theoretical concepts to practical applications and question prevailing assumptions about the sector.
By aligning learning activities (such as seminar exercises, case study analyses, source evaluations, essay) with these objectives, the module aims to develop critical thinking, analytical skills, and practical insights, ensuring students are well-prepared to navigate and contribute to the non-profit sector in China and beyond.
Upon successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
1. Compare and evaluate the function, contribution, and overall significance of the Chinese nonprofit sector, analysing the role of different organisations in shaping social outcomes and governance.
2. Critically assess the impact of political, economic, and cultural factors on the non-profit sector in China, and evaluate their effects on broader civil society.
3. Formulate evidence-based arguments that integrate and synthesise diverse perspectives on civil society and the nonprofit sector in China
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
4. Articulate and present ideas orally, using visuals to support and highlight key issues and insights.
5. Evaluate multiple sources, extracting essential information, and integrate evidence to support their argument.
6. Select, research, and analyse a topic of interest, appraising relevant evidence to develop a focused and well-supported argument
On completion of this module, students should be able to:
- Identify historical and current understandings of civil society in the Chinese context;
- Critically engage with the major theories surrounding civil society in a Chinese context;
- Identify a variety of typologies and different roles of non-profit organisations operating in China;
- Have an understanding of how the non-profit sector functions within Chinese society;
- Demonstrate skills of analysis and interpretation through seminar presentations, class discussion and the writing of a 3,000 word essay.
The syllabus will enable students to critically engage with the topic through
- An examination of different definitions and understandings of 'civil society' in the Chinese context;
- An evaluation of the extent to which there is a 'space for civil society' in mainstream society, and what it means for various actors to 'engage' with it;
- An examination of shifts in the on-going development of the non-profit sector in China, including an exploration of the types of organisations operating in China (from GONGOs to grassroots organisations, international groups, social enterprises and faith based organisations) and the changes in attitudes towards charity, philanthropy and development that these represent;
The course will explore a number of case studies in order to highlight the limitations and opportunities created by recent developments in the non-profit sector.
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 10 | 1 | 10 |
| Seminar | 10 | 1 | 10 |
| Private study hours | 180 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 20 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200 | ||
How independent learning is divided will typically vary from student to student but it is expected that it will include activities such as:
50 hours - reading for lectures
10 hours - post-lecture work (e.g. reading through and understanding notes, going over things not understood, working through any case study examples provided in class or further examples found in reading)
60 hours - preparation for seminars, including reading set texts, preparing questions as contributor and preparing for graded presentations
30 hours - preparation for un-graded submitted work (e.g. individual or group tasks set as homework)
30 hours - preparation and writing of essay
Students receive formative feedback during seminars, where both staff and peer input provide immediate insights, fostering critical thinking, analytical, and presentation skills. Examples of formative assessments in seminars include group discussions on case studies, peer review of draft presentations, role-play exercises, and reflective feedback sessions, all designed to enhance understanding and skill development.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Poster presentation | 30 |
| Coursework | Essay | 70 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
The reading list is available from the Library website
Last updated: 25/04/2025
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team