POL 344 China and America in the Contemporary World

3 Credit(s) WC

The United States and China are the two greatest global powers in the world today, and their bilateral relationship will determine the future of both global peace and global prosperity. This relationship is a highly complex dynamic relationship, with cooperative and competitive elements across global political, economic, social, and strategic dimensions. Encompassing both American and Chinese perspectives, the course examines the ideas, attitudes, values, ambitions, and interests of both sides in shaping this relationship, primarily focusing on the post-1949 era. There is a particular emphasis on Chinese culture as the driver of China’s perceptions of itself and its place and role in the world relative to other states. As such the course will draw upon not only political and economic sources but also cultural sources to explain, understand, and analyze the patterns of China’s behavior in contemporary international relations and global affairs. Three seminar hours per week.