Course Code and Course Title
Environment and Society in China
Time and Venue
Wednesday 2:30pm - 5:15pm
CKB 122
Instructor
Prof. Pierre Miège
Course Description
China’s environmental issues have raised global concerns. This English-taught, upper-level course invites students to examine the interrelations between environment and society in Greater China. After an introduction to Chinese environmental history, students will be invited to reflect upon human-nature relations in both historical and contemporary contexts. The second half of the semester engages students with case studies on issues ranging from agricultural industrialization, industrial pollution, foodways change, environmental hazard and health crisis, environmental infrastructure, to social protests and environmental NGOs, to understand environmental challenges facing local Chinese societies.
Course Outline
Week 1. Introduction: Environment and society
January 10 2024
Week 2. China’s environment: A historic perspective
January 17 2024
Week 3. Environment in Mao’s China
January 24 2024
Week 4. Environment in post-Mao China
February 31 2024
Week 5. Agricultural industrialization
February 7 2024
Week 6. No class (Chinese New Year)
February 14 2024
Week. 8 Environment and foodways
February 21 2024
Week 9. Industrialization and its consequences
February 28 2024
Week 10. Reading Week (No class)
March 6 2024
Week 11. Environment and health (1/2)
March 13 2024
Week 12. Environment and health (2/2)
March 20 2024
Week 13. Environment and community
March 27 2024
Week 14. Environmental infrastructures
April 3 2024
Week 15. Environment and governance
April 10 2024
Week 16. Environmental protests
April 17 2024