China's International Politics POLITIC5020

  • Academic Session: 2023-24
  • School: School of Social and Political Sciences
  • Credits: 20
  • Level: Level 5 (SCQF level 11)
  • Typically Offered: Either Semester 1 or Semester 2
  • Available to Visiting Students: Yes

Short Description

This course gives students a broad but rigorous introduction to China's international politics. It will introduce students to the key foreign policy making institutions and actors in China today, the drivers of China's foreign policy in historical context, and major issues in contemporary China's foreign relations. The course will include discussion of such issues as national security, human rights, trade and environmental cooperation.

Timetable

One two-hour seminar held weekly for 10 weeks.

Requirements of Entry

None.

Excluded Courses

None.

Co-requisites

None.

Assessment

Group presentation, with powerpoints handed in, 10%

2000-word literature review, 45%

2000-word essay, 45%

Course Aims

1. Introduce students to contemporary China's international politics;

2. Examine the key institutions and actors shaping China's contemporary foreign policy-making and some important issues in China's international policies today;

3. Consider and assess competing explanations of China's foreign policy;

4. Explore key issues in China's foreign relations

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

By the end of this course students will be able to:

--demonstrate informed knowledge of the key institutions and actors shaping China's foreign policy;

--explain the main determinants of China's foreign policy;

--critically assess different explanations of China's foreign policy;

--demonstrate understanding of the key issues in China's foreign relations.

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.