H

Article Review (1000 words, 20 % weighting)

Students should choose one 'substantive' and 'suitable' article, whether from an academic journal, think tank, press, or from an edited collection of essays in a book.

It must have relevance for 'China in the World', either at the general level or with regard to a particular aspect of this theme.

Your proposed article must be specifically agreed, in advance, with the module convenor (myself, David Scott). An 'unagreed' article, if submitted without the specific agreement of the module convenor, may be turned down for marking if the module convenor deems it inappropriate.

The article can be from hard format (library shelves) format or from electronic format. With regard to the latter electronic format, there is a range of electronic holdings at http://www2.tdnet.com/frames.asp , the Library Electronic Gateway (INTRANET). There is also a wide range of links, collected on the module website to off-site articles, at: http://www.thescotties.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/ma-china-articles.htm

A copy (photocopy/printout) of the article being reviewed by you must be attached to your own article critique, if not the work will be rejected and given 0%

The critique should : identify the author’s argument, consider how clearly and convincingly it is structured and argued, evaluate its source base, and identify its contribution to the historiography/debate/understanding of its topic. The article critique should highlight any problems/gaps/further issues. Other similar or different articles may be discussed as well for comparison.

Consequently in your 'analysis' (not a summary), you can 'comment' (positively or negatively') on the author and on the publication. The current/ongoing 'context' of the article theme may well be something to comment on. You can then move substantively onto 'commenting' (not just summarizing) on the the text; i.e what is your judgement on its style, clarity, (crucially) its assertions, and implications. Some of the questions to ask are: Is is concentrated onto certain aspects of China's relationship with the World, either in a helpful way or in too narrow a way? How wide ranging is it? You should look to see how plausible it is, i.e. can you back it up with any other materials? Does the author back up his/her assertions, either with clear factual examples and /or references to other studies?  

You may wish to selectively cite from the article. This can be useful to illustrate and back up your line of arguement. However you should not just 'cut and paste' whole chunks of material just for the sake of it. The material must be actively used (e.g. commented on), not just mechanically regurgitated.

A 'critical analysis' does not have to result in a judgement by you that is 'negative'. On reflection you may find that your judgement is a 'positive' one of it, or there again you might turn out to be a negative one. As with an essay it all depends on how well you argue, how well your judgement is evidenced. However what your critical analysis must do is combine thoroughness with sensitivity towards what is in (and indeed not in) the article. The key thing is that it is a 'critique', i.e. your backed up evaluation (positive or negative), rather than a mechanical descriptive synopsis of its content. It is not set to test how well you understand English (a synopsis would establish that). It assumes this, and instead sets out to test how well you 'engage' with the material, how well you can interpret, explain and evaluate it.

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