Asian Languages & Civilization 377 - Researching China

(Offered as POSC 377 and ASLC 377) How do we make sense of phenomena that occur in an opaque political system? Where are our observations likely to be spurious? What are the implications of our (mis)understandings of politics? This course will examine the major questions and puzzles in the study of China’s domestic and international politics. The course will also examine how shifts in Chinese politics have shaped research on China as well as how observers understand and explain political phenomena in China. In addition to discussing current research on China, students will gain a greater understanding of the research process and will conduct their own independent political science research projects on China.

Requisite: recommended prior coursework POSC 208, POSC 218, ANTH 317, HIST 172, HIST 367, HIST 471, HIST 172.

Limited to 18 students. Spring semester. Associate Professor Ratigan.

How to handle overenrollment: Priority to students who have taken POSC 208 or 218 or had coursework on China

Students who enroll in this course will likely encounter and be expected to engage in the following intellectual skills, modes of learning, and assessment: An emphasis on written work, readings, independent research, oral presentations, group work, quantitative work.