Asian Languages & Civilization 209 - China/International

Spring
2014
01
4.00
Kerry Ratigan
TTH 08:30AM-09:50AM
Amherst College
ASLC-209-01-1314S
CONV 207
kratigan@amherst.edu
POSC-209-01,ASLC-209-01

(Offered as POSC 209 [CP/IR ] [ G - Starting with the class of 2015 ] and ASLC  209.)  This course will analyze China's foreign relations, major foreign policy challenges, and China's role in the international community. To understand the context in which foreign policy is made, we will begin the course by examining the domestic forces that shape foreign policy, including the role of elites and popular nationalism. We will then turn to China’s relations with its neighbors in the Asia-Pacific region with a particular focus on political hot-spots and areas of territorial dispute or historical conflict such as relations with Japan and Taiwan. We will also broaden our focus to examine China’s relations with other regions of the world including North America, Europe, Latin America, and Africa. Finally, we will evaluate the evolution of China’s engagement with international organizations, such as the World Trade Organization and the United Nations. We will assess the impact that China has had on international discourse related to human rights and democracy and analyze the implications of a “Beijing Consensus” as an alternative narrative for the international system.


Limited to 35 students. Spring semester. Professor Ratigan.

Permission is required for interchange registration during all registration periods.