China and Global Politics

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• Students will deepen their understanding of the key issues and debates pertaining to the evolution of China’s relations with the rest of the world
• Students will develop advanced analytical skills and polished communications capabilities
• Students will develop the ability to employ international relations theories and frameworks to analyse issues pertaining to China and global politics

This course seeks to examine the international relations of the Peoples’ Republic of China (PRC) addressing how and why China has reached its status within the international system today. As the world’s second largest economy, China is also a nuclear power with a huge military establishment representing about one quarter of the global population. Hence it is important for students of international relations to deepen their understanding of the way in which China has emerged as one of the rising powers at the global level. This module, aside from providing students with a detailed analysis of key issues and events pertaining to China and global politics, will also pay attention to existing scholarly debates over critical issues pertaining to China within the international system. The first half of the course is designed to provide students with a comprehensive overview of key trends and events in China’s international relations from the 19th Century to the present day. The sessions during the first part of the course will examine topics such as the role of history in China’s external relations, the PRC’s decision to enter the Korean War, and the rise and fall of Sino-Soviet alliance. The second half of the course will address thematic issues of relevance to China in global politics; these include the scholarly debate over the rise of China, Sino-U.S. relations, China and regional/global security, China’s role in regional/global economy, China and emerging technologies, issues of human rights and environment. The concluding lecture will address the prospects of China’s foreign relations.

The course outlines as as follows:

1) Introduction and Overview

2) The Role of History in China’s Foreign Relations

3) China and the Korean War

4) From Sino-Soviet Alliance to Sino-Soviet Split

5) Sino-U.S. Relations

6) Can China Rise Peacefully?

7) China and Regional/Global Economy

8) China and Regional/Global Security

9) China and Global Climate Governance

10) China and Human Rights

11) China and Emerging Technologies

12) Prospects for China’s Foreign Relations

Teaching and learning methods

The principal teaching methods will include:

• A weekly one-hour lecture;
• A weekly one-hour seminar presentations by students and feedback from the lecturer as well as the rest of the class.

The learning methods will include:

• Critical reading of assigned texts;
• Oral presentations;
• In-class debates;
• Written assignments;
• Examination.

Resources & Reading list

Textbooks

Shaun Breslin (ed) (2010). Handbook of Chinese International Relations. Routledge.

Alastair Iain Johnston and Robert S. Ross (ed.) (2006). New Directions in the Study of China’s Foreign Policy. Stanford University Press.

David M. Lampton (ed.) (2001). The Making of Chinese Foreign and Security Policy in the Reform Era, 1978-2000. Stanford University Press.

Formative

This is how we’ll give you feedback as you are learning. It is not a formal test or exam.

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External