552.01 Law and Governance in China

China’s development without a Western-style rule of law raises important questions. Does law matter in China? If so, how does it function? What roles has law played in China’s economic, social, and political development? This seminar explores both law on the books and law in action, with an emphasis on change and development in the understanding of law and governance. It takes China as a comparative case study to deepen our understanding of the fundamental nature of legal institutions. This course is not designed as an introduction to Chinese law. It focuses on selected topics chosen by the instructor and is best suited for students seeking an in-depth exploration of Chinese law and governance. No prior knowledge is required, but genuine interest and commitment are essential. 

Evaluation

  • Class participation (30%): Students are expected to complete the assigned readings in advance and be prepared to be on call each week.
  • Written work (70%): Students may choose between two options:
    (1) Five response papers (four pages each); or
    (2) A research paper (minimum 20 pages). Students who opt to write a research paper must submit a proposal subject to the instructor’s approval. Research papers may also satisfy the JD writing requirement (minimum 30 pages), and students who choose to do so should sign up for 552W: Law and Governance in China Writing Credit too.

Fall 2025

Course Number Course Credits Evaluation Method Instructor
552.01
2
Research and/or analytical paper
Class participation
Shitong Qiao
Course
Degree Requirements
JD SRWP with add-on credit
JD elective
IntllLLM International Cert
IntlLLM-SJD-EXC elective
IntlLLM writing
LLM-ICL (JD) elective
LLM-ICL (JD) writing
Course Requirements - Public Interest
PIPS elective
Course Areas of Practice
International and Comparative Law
Law, Democracy, and Society