This course aims to examine the political, economic, and cultural forces that are shaping the experience and status of women in the People’s Republic of China. Specifically, it will investigate the cultural and structural imperatives of patriarchy in pre-socialist China and discuss how the patriarchal order is redefined, manipulated, and transformed under the socialist rule. It will also review the state policies related to women and evaluate the associated impacts on various aspects of women’s status, such as employment, reproduction, family relations, and health. Further, it will examine the implications of market reforms for Chinese women.