Suspended in 2025/26
GY480 Half Unit
Remaking China: Geographical aspects of Development and Disparity
This information is for the 2025/26 session.
Course Convenor
Prof Hyun Shin
Availability
This course is available on the MA in Asian and International History (LSE and NUS), MSc in China in Comparative Perspective, MSc in Development Management (Political Economy), MSc in Development Management (Political Economy) (LSE and Sciences Po), MSc in Environment and Development, MSc in Environmental Policy, Technology and Health (Environment and Development) (LSE and Peking University), MSc in Human Geography and Urban Studies (Research), MSc in International and Asian History, MSc in Local Economic Development, MSc in Political Economy of Europe in the World (LSE and Fudan), MSc in Regional And Urban Planning Studies, MSc in Urban Policy (LSE and Sciences Po) and MSc in Urbanisation and Development. This course is available with permission as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit. This course uses controlled access as part of the course selection process.
How to apply: Priority: Statement required . Priority is typically for students enrolled in Geography and Environment programmes, or joint degree programmes, however course specific availability is indicated via the 'Availability section' on the LSE course guide webpages. Guidance on how to apply to individual controlled access courses can also be found on LSE for You in the Graduate Course Selection system.
Please note: The number of students that can be accommodated is limited. If a course is over-subscribed, places will be allocated at the Department's discretion and a waiting list may be created. It is advised to have an alternative course in mind as a back-up in case you are unable to secure your first-choice course selection.
Deadline for application: Further guidance and information on course selection for Geography and Environment courses (GY4xx) will be available on the Geography and Environment Course Selection Moodle page which will go live from Monday 8 September and will be updated with course availability information daily throughout the course selection period. This page includes information on the timeline for course selection decisions in the Geography and Environment Department as well as the individual course application processes and requirements
A list of all taught master's courses in this Department are listed on LSE's course guide webpages.
For queries contact: geog.ud@lse.ac.uk
Course content
The recent decades have seen China emerging as one of the most important global economic and political players. The course aims to offer opportunities to gain comprehensive and yet critical insights into China’s development in urban, regional and global dimensions by reflecting upon the significance of China’s role in the world economy as well as the challenges emerging within China. Tentative topics that the course covers include, but not limited to, the following: China's rise in the global capitalism; uneven development and regional disparities; the political economy of urbanisation; the role of the state; governing neighbourhoods; China on the move and migration; China's middle class; practising global China; public participation and rights activism.
Teaching
30 hours of seminars in the Autumn Term.
Formative assessment
Students are expected to complete one essay plan for their assessed essay and blog.
Indicative reading
- Campanella, T.J. (2008) The concrete Revolution: China’s urban revolution and what it means for the world. Princeton Architectural Press
- Friedman, E. (2022) The Urbanization of People: The Politics of Development, Labor Markets, and Schooling in the Chinese City. Columbia University Press
- Hsing, Y-T (2010) The Great Urban transformation. Oxford University Press
- Ngai, P (2005) Made in China: Women Factory Workers in a Global Workplace. Duke Univ. Press
- Shao, Q. (2013) Shanghai Gone: Domicide and defiance in a Chinese megacity. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
- Wu, F. (2015) Planning for Growth: Urban and Regional Planning in China. Routledge
- Wu, F. (2022) Creating Chinese Urbanism: Urban Revolution and Governance Changes. UCL Press
Assessment
Presentation (20%)
This component of assessment includes an element of group work.
Course participation (5%)
Presentation (15%)
This component of assessment includes an element of group work.
Essay (60%, 3000 words)
Students are to submit regular reading responses via Moodle as part of class participation.
Key facts
Department: Geography and Environment
Course Study Period: Autumn Term
Unit value: Half unit
FHEQ Level: Level 7
CEFR Level: Null
Total students 2024/25: 42
Average class size 2024/25: 42
Controlled access 2024/25: YesCourse selection videos
Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.
Personal development skills
- Self-management
- Team working
- Problem solving
- Application of information skills
- Communication
- Specialist skills