Unit information: Capitalist Transformation in East Asia in 2026/27

Please note: Programme and unit information may change as the relevant academic field develops. We may also make changes to the structure of programmes and assessments to improve the student experience.

Unit name Capitalist Transformation in East Asia
Unit code POLIM0051
Credit points 20
Level of study M/7
Teaching block(s) Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12)
Unit director Dr. Rob Yates
Open unit status Not open
Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units)

None.

Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units)

None.

Units you may not take alongside this one

None

School/department School of Sociology, Politics and International Studies
Faculty Faculty of Social Sciences and Law

Unit Information

Why this unit is important

East Asia is arguably the most important world region for understanding the changes that impact the global system of the future. This unit gives students a grounding in the historical and contemporary dynamics of political, economic and social change in the region. It enables students to critically engage with present debates on geopolitical and geoeconomic competition and how this is shaping a global capitalism that is in deepening crisis.

How does this unit fit into your programme of study

This is a core unit for East Asian Development and the Global Economy providing students on the programme with foundational knowledge and competencies in the analysis of East Asia’s development and its place within the wider global system.

Your learning on this unit

An overview of content

This unit takes an in-depth look at the political economy of East Asia’s capitalist transformation, situating the region in its historical and contemporary interactions with Western-dominated global capitalism. It addresses debates on the historical origins of capitalism; the role of imperialism and US hegemony in shaping uneven capitalist development in East Asia; the nature and role of the developmental state; efforts at East Asian regionalism; recent transformations under neoliberal financialisation; and the future of the regional and global order under shifting power dynamics.

How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit

Students will gain confidence in their understanding of East Asia’s political economic transformation under capitalism in the 20th and 21st Centuries. They will be able to apply complex theoretical tools to analyse real world events that impact the region and beyond.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the unit, students will be able to:

  1. Discuss the political economy of East Asia’s development and wider transformation within global capitalism
  2. Apply this knowledge to analyse contemporary challenges in the region
  3. Communicate their understanding of Political Economy in Asia effectively

How you will learn

The unit will be taught through blended learning methods, including a mix of synchronous and asynchronous teaching activities

How you will be assessed

Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):

In-class presentation

Students will complete formative in-class presentation in pairs, which helps to build essential subject-specific knowledge, research and analytical skills necessary for successful completion of the summative assessment. It also supports development of transferable skills such as working with peers, organisation, time management and communication skills necessary for future employment. Students are supported in this through advice on presentations at the start of the unit, peer feedback during class and written feedback from the tutor.

Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):

3000-word essay (100%) [ILO 1, 2, 3]

When assessment does not go to plan

You will normally complete the reassessment in the same format as outlined above. Students are expected to select a different question from the original essay question list.

Resources

If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.

If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. POLIM0051).

How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks, independent learning and assessment activity.

See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.

Assessment
The assessment methods listed in this unit specification are designed to enable students to demonstrate the named learning outcomes (LOs). Where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, schools will make reasonable adjustments to support a student to demonstrate the LO by an alternative method or with additional resources.

The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit. The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.