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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "PL 350"
COURSE NAME: "Politics of China"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring Semester 2012
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Astarita Claudia
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: MW 10:00-11:15
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS: By appointment
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
China, as a country, has experienced significant changes during the last few decades and it continues to appear as a nation in transition. If China is a country in transition, where has it come from, and where is it headed? 
To answer this question the course reviews the evolution of China's national policy focusing on its internal "critical junctures", such as 1949 foundation, the Cultural Revolution, the post-Mao economic reforms, the events of 1989 at Tiananmen and their impact on different aspects of Chinese cultural and social life. At the same time, the course provides a comprehensive introduction to China's role in world affairs and the foreign policy and international relations of the People's Republic of China, addressing how China came to be in its current circumstances and how these circumstances can be understood or interpreted.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
China's Civil War: Communists vs. Nationalists
Mao Zedong and the People's Republic of China
First Alliances in the Region and the Non-allied Movement
Industrialization and the Great Leap Forward
The Cultural Revolution: Political, Social and Cultural Aspects
Deng Xiaoping and the Economic Reforms
China's New Connections in the Asian Region and the new Wave of Regionalism
The Tragedy of Tiananmen
China and the Region: Taiwan/US; Japan; India and South Asia; North Korea
Contemporary China: New Issues at stake: Human, Civil and Political Rights, Environment; Internal Protests; the Problems of Minorities
China and the Global Financial Crisis
New and Old Leaders: the Future of the Communist Party 
 
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
At the end of the course, each student will be familiar with the history of the People's Repoblic of China in the highlighted period (1940-2012) and will have an understanding of its rising political and socio-economic role in international dynamics.
TEXTBOOK:
NONE
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberComments
Interpreting China's EconomyGregory C. Chow ISBN-10: 9814317950  
Mao Zedong: A LifeJonathan Spence ISBN-10: 0143037722Chapters 2, 9, 11, 12 
The United States and China Since 1949: A Troubled AffairRobert Garson ISBN-10: 0838636101Chapters 1, 2, 5, 6, 7 
China and India in Asia: Paving the Way for a New Balance of PowerClaudia Astarita and Yves-heng Lim ISBN-10: 1613248504Chapters 3, 4, 5, 6 
Deng Xiaoping And The Transformation Of ChinaEzra F Vogel ISBN-10: 0674055446Chapters 12, 13, 15, 16, 20, 21, 22, 23 

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberComments
China Engages AsiaDavid ShambaughInternational Security, Vol. 29; No. 3; (Winter 2004/5), pp. 64-9901622889 More references will be added soon
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Exam 1Short answer exam20%
Exam 2Document analysis20%
ProjectIn class presentation and debate (groups of three student, each)25%
Final ExamComprehensive final exam that includes two analytical essays and a set of short answer questions35%

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:

Assessment Guidelines for assigning main letter grades: A, B, C,D, and F.

A:  Work of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensiveknowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course.

B:  This is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.

There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.

C:  This is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.

D:  This level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.

Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.

F: This work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Class participation, for which attendance is fundamental, counts for 20% of the final grade. You get two "free" absenses, after which they will start to pull down this part of your grade.
ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.
STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.
SCHEDULE

WEEK 1

January 16 - Course Presentation

January 18 -  China's Civil War: Communists vs. Nationalists

WEEK 2

January 23 - Mao Zedong and the People's Republic of China
           
January 25 - First Alliances in the Region and the Non-allied Movement

WEEK 3

January 30 - Industrialization and the Great Leap Forward

February 1 - The Cultural Revolution: Political, Social and Cultural Aspects

February 3 (make-up class) - Deng Xiaoping and the Economic Reforms

WEEK 4

February 6 - China's New Connections in the Asian Region and the new Wave of Regionalism (part 1)      

February 8 - China's New Connections in the Asian Region and the new Wave of Regionalism (part 2)

WEEK 5

February 13 - 1st Review Session + Document analysis 

February 15 - 1st Mid-term Exam

WEEK 6

February 20 - The Tragedy of Tiananmen

February 22 -  China and the Region: Taiwan/US; Japan.  

WEEK 7

February 27 -  China and the Region: India and South Asia.

February 29 -  China and the Region: North Korea.
    

WEEK 8

March 5 - Contemporary China: New Issues at stake: Human, Civil and Political Rights, Environment; Internal Protests; the Problems of Minorities (part 1)    

March 7 -  Contemporary China: New Issues at stake: Human, Civil and Political Rights, Environment; Internal Protests; the Problems of Minorities (part 2)     

March 9 (make-up class) - China and the Global Financial Crisis

WEEK 9

March 12 - New and Old Leaders: the Future of the Communist Party   (part 1)   

March 14 - New and Old Leaders: the Future of the Communist Party (part 2)

March 19 and 21   Spring break

WEEK 10

March 26 - 2nd Review Session + Document analysis         

March 28 - 2nd Mid-term Exam (document analysis)

WEEK 11

April 2 - Project, Group 1

April 4 -  Project, Group 2       

WEEK 12

April 9 - Easter holiday

April 11 - Project, Group 3

WEEK 13

April 16 - Project, Group 4        

April 18 - Project, Group 5

WEEK 14

April 23 -  Review Session + Document analysis

April 25 - National holiday

 

Final Exam (April 28 – May 4, TBA)