This course intended to provide an introduction of contemporary Chinese law and legal institutions from a historical and comparative perspective. The course begins with a brief examination of the traditional Chinese legal system and an evaluation of China's legal reform before the establishment of the People's Republic of China (the PRC) and in the post-Mao era. The course will then give an overview of China's political system and the key areas of Chinese law, including civil and criminal law, constitutional and administrative law, and commercial law and environmental law. A major focus of the course will be the ways in which Chinese law and legal institutions have evolved since the beginning of the reform era in the late 1970s, and the major challenges faced by the legal system today. Topics to be covered include the formal legal system and its operation in practice; how China's legal system is addressing environmental challenges; and the role of judiciary and legal profession.There are no prerequisites for this course. Chinese language proficiency is useful, but not required. Students took part in the U.S.-China Joint Student Research Project Fellowship are recommended to take this course. Method of evaluation: Class participation (40%) and a short paper as a final exam 60%).