Media Components

• WIDE ANGLE: THE PEOPLE’S COURT online video and program accompaniments

Computer Resources

• computers with Internet access
• LCD projector and projection screen

Print Resources

• Hsu, Stephen C., ed. UNDERSTANDING CHINA’S LEGAL SYSTEM. New York: NYU Press, 2003.
• Peerenboom, Randall. CHINA’S LONG MARCH TOWARD RULE OF LAW. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2002.
• Turner, Karen G., James V. Feinerman, and R. Kent Guy, eds. THE LIMITS OF THE RULE OF LAW IN CHINA. Seattle: University of Washington Press, 1999.

Web Resources

• WIDEANGLE TO HAVE AND HAVE NOT
  https://pbs-wnet-preprod.digi-producers.pbs.org/wnet/wideangle/shows/china/info.html
  Report on China’s present and potential economic growth and status.

PBS

• CHINA FROM THE INSIDE
  http://pbs-wnet-preprod.digi-producers.pbs.org/kqed/chinainside/index.html
  An exploration of China on topics ranging from democracy to women’s roles and emerging activism.
• FRONTLINE: CHINA IN THE RED
  http://pbs-wnet-preprod.digi-producers.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/red/
  A look at the impact of China’s transformation on its people.
• COMMANDING HEIGHTS: THE BATTLE FOR THE WORLD ECONOMY
  http://pbs-wnet-preprod.digi-producers.pbs.org/wgbh/commandingheights/lo/countries/index.html
  Promotes understanding globalization and world trade and economic development on the global economic system. China is included in the nation review; see Rule of Law in China timeline segment.
• FRONTLINE/WORLD: LIFE IN THE HEART OF CHINA
  http://pbs-wnet-preprod.digi-producers.pbs.org/frontlineworld/stories/chinadiaries/
  Four-part series featuring the travels of two filmmakers as they develop a documentary on China’s most remote areas.
• INDEPENDENT LENS: CHINA BLUE
  http://pbs-wnet-preprod.digi-producers.pbs.org/independentlens/chinablue/film.html
  Underscores how Western factories engage and treat Chinese employees, many migrant workers, while underscoring the impact of the country’s economic growth and progress.
• JOURNEY TO PLANET EARTH: URBAN EXPLOSION
  http://pbs-wnet-preprod.digi-producers.pbs.org/journeytoplanetearth/about/urbanexplosion.htm
  Addresses urban explosion, with a video segment on Shanghai.
• NIGHTLY BUSINESS REPORT: CHINA CENTURY OF CHANGE
  http://pbs-wnet-preprod.digi-producers.pbs.org/nbr/site/features/special/050905_chinaindex/
  Series of reports on China’s economic growth and its impact.
• Online NEWSHOUR: CHINA ON THE RISE
  http://pbs-wnet-preprod.digi-producers.pbs.org/newshour/bb/asia/china/
  Seven-part series on China’s rise as an economic power.
• Online NEWSHOUR: THE CHINA TRADE DEBATE
  http://pbs-wnet-preprod.digi-producers.pbs.org/newshour/bb/asia/china/pntr/
  Series of broadcasts covering human rights, free trade, and labor issues in China.

General background

• CBC News Indepth: China
  http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/china/
  Focus on China’s economic growth.
• CNN.com: CNN Special Report: Asian Legal Systems
  http://archives.cnn.com/2000/LAW/06/29/asialaw/index.html
  Includes article and interactive on China’s legal reforms.
• Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
  “China rule of law”
  http://www.carnegieendowment.org/regions/
  index.cfm?fa=viewRegions&region=1000131
  Perspectives on China’s rule of law.

  “Testimony on Rule of Law in China”
  http://www.carnegieendowment.org/publications/
  index.cfm?fa=view&id=17073
  Dr. Minxin Pei of the Carnegie Endowment testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee at a hearing titled, “The Emergence of China Throughout Asia: Security and Economic Consequences for the U.S.”

• THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR
  “Chinese rule-of-law activist becomes a case in point”
  http://www.cstestimony.monitor.com/2006/0728/p01s04-woap.html
• Congressional Executive Commission on China
  Rule of Law in China
  http://www.cecc.gov/pages/virtualAcad/rol/
  Monitors and reports on aspects of Chinese rule of law.
• Human Rights Watch
  “Beijing’s Rule of Law Retreat”
  http://china.hrw.org/press/oped/beijings_rule_of_law_retreat
  Article reflecting China’s rule of law in the present day.
• Iht.Com
  “A young judge tests China’s legal system”
  http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/11/28/news/judge.php
  Examines the lack of judicial independence in the way the Chinese legal system’s structure.
• NEW YORK TIMES
  “China’s Legal System: Rule by Law”
  http://www.nytimes.com/ref/world/asia/rule_index.html
  A series of articles addressing the current state of China’s legal system. Article on positive changes in Chinese legal system, as reported in a Chinese publication.
• PEOPLE’S DAILY ONLINE
  “China’s legal system in transition”
  http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200508/15/eng20050815_202556.html
  Article underscoring the successful reformation of China’s legal system.
• United Nations in China
  The Rule of Law in All Aspects of China’s Changing Society
  http://www.unchina.org/about_china/html/rule.shtml
  Segment discussing the importance of the carefully structured rule of law in China, in light of the nation’s development.

Materials Needed

• student graphic organizers
• modified U.S.-China Legal Cooperation Fund grant application (see Teacher Preparation and Culminating Activity)
• chart paper and markers

Assumptions

The following assumptions guide the proposed activities:

• • are familiar with China’s political, economic, and legal history
  • recognize the factors that have contributed to the nation’s economic progress
  • recognize China’s socioeconomic and human rights issues
  • have a solid grasp of the impact of China’s development on the nation’s citizens.

Students:

Teacher Preparation

Preview THE PEOPLE’S COURT and related online content before presenting them to your class. Decide whether the class will view the entire video or specific segments (others than those noted in the lesson) to expand lesson concepts and topics.

Bookmark relevant Web sites on each computer in your classroom, and/or create a handout that lists recommended sites and resources that supplement the lesson; or upload all links to an online bookmarking utility, such as www.portaportal.com, so that students can access the information on these sites. Make sure that your computer has the necessary media players, like RealPlayer, to show streaming clips (if applicable).

Provide students with necessary background on China to fill knowledge gaps or refresh their memories on topics relevant to the lesson plan.