Bachelor
2021/2022
Chinese Politics Part 2 – China and the World
Category 'Best Course for Broadening Horizons and Diversity of Knowledge and Skills'
Category 'Best Course for New Knowledge and Skills'
Type:
Elective course (Asian and African Studies)
Area of studies:
Asian and African Studies
Delivered by:
Institute of Asian and African Studies
When:
4 year, 2 module
Mode of studies:
distance learning
Online hours:
14
Open to:
students of all HSE University campuses
Instructors:
Elena Soboleva
Language:
English
ECTS credits:
3
Contact hours:
8
Course Syllabus
Abstract
This course is tailored for students majoring in Asian studies, who specialize in political and economic development of East Asia. The aim of this course is to familiarize students with the foreign policy and external relations of the PRC since 1978 – the beginning of the reforms and opening up - till 2016. In particular, this course focuses on the impact of world politics on China’s internal development: economy, regional balances, bureaucracy and political authority in coastal areas. Students will also learn about how international relations have been affected by a rising China which seeks resources and talent from all around the globe and uses its financial wealth to strengthen its position in the world. Finally, the course looks at various aspects of China’s “going out strategy” — its search for energy, talent, as well as its relations with the United States and the states within the Asia-Pacific region. The prerequisites for the this course include courses “Introduction to Political science”, “History of East and Southeast Asia,“ “Chinese Politics Part 1 – China and Political Science” and English language of B2 level. The course sets a background for the further studies of China’s contemporary foreign policy and international relations in East Asia. The course is conducted in a blended format. Students study the lecture materials online themselves at home and discuss selected issues during the seminars in the classroom.
Learning Objectives
- To give students an overview of China’s foreign policy and external relations 1978-2001.
- To acquaint students with links between international relations and China’s internal development.
- To develop students' skills in application of theoretical models to the analysis of foreign policy of the PRC.
Expected Learning Outcomes
- Communicates in English on topics related to politics and governance in the PRC.
- Prepares scientific and analytical reports, reviews, presentations, information briefs and explanatory notes on the issues of political development in the PRC.
- Able to work with information related to the foreign policy of the PRC: find, evaluate, systematize and use information necessary for solving scientific and professional problems from various sources.
- Describes major foreign policy changes in China between 1978 and 2016 (e.g. China’s opening to the world), their reasons and consequences.
- Describes the main patterns and trends in China’s relations with different regions of the world.
- Explains how a rising China has influenced international relations.
- Uses the conceptual apparatus of International Relations discipline, critically analyses the information related to Chinese external relations.
Course Contents
- Online component
- Module 1: China’s Opening to the Outside World, 1978-2000
- Module 2: China’s Changing Relations with the World, 2000-2016
- Module 3: China’s Global Search for Energy and Resources
- Module 4: China’s Global Search for Talent and Technology, 1978-2016
- Module 5: China’s Rise and the World
Assessment Elements
- Tests on required literatureLecturer evaluates students' comprehension of assigned readings by conducting a short test with multiple choice questions and questions with open answer. The component is calculated as an average grade achieved for all tests.
- Online componentStudents have to self-study an online course at the Coursera platform: Chinese Politics Part 2 – China and the World https://www.coursera.org/learn/chinese-politics-2. In order to get grade for the online course, students have to take four Quizes, fulfill one peer-reviewed assignment and take a final test (all on Coursera platform).
- In-class participationLecturer evaluates students’ progress, including comprehension of online lectures and assigned readings, as well as contribution to discussions. The component is calculated as an average grade achieved on all seminars.
- ExamThe exam is a written test with different types of questions: multiple choice, questions with open answer, etc.
Interim Assessment
- 2021/2022 2nd module0.2 * In-class participation + 0.2 * Online component + 0.2 * Tests on required literature + 0.4 * Exam
Bibliography
Recommended Core Bibliography
- Liu, H., & van Dongen, E. (2016). China’s Diaspora Policies as a New Mode of Transnational Governance. Journal of Contemporary China, 25(102), 805–821. https://doi.org/10.1080/10670564.2016.1184894
- Patey, L. (2017). Learning in Africa: China’s Overseas Oil Investments in Sudan and South Sudan. Journal of Contemporary China, 26(107), 756–768. https://doi.org/10.1080/10670564.2017.1305489
Recommended Additional Bibliography
- Sautman, B., & Yan Hairong. (2008). The Forest for the Trees: Trade, Investment and the China-in-Africa Discourse. Pacific Affairs, 81(1), 9–29. https://doi.org/10.5509/20088119
- Yan, X. (2014). From Keeping a Low Profile to Striving for Achievement. Chinese Journal of International Politics, 7(2), 153–184. https://doi.org/10.1093/cjip/pou027
- Zhao, S. (2008). China’s Global Search for Energy Security: cooperation and competition in Asia-Pacific. Journal of Contemporary China, 17(55), 207–227. https://doi.org/10.1080/10670560701809460