IR40C Half Unit
Global Politics of China
This information is for the 2025/26 session.
Course Convenor
Sichen Li
Availability
This course is available on the MSc in China in Comparative Perspective, MSc in International Relations, MSc in International Relations (LSE and Sciences Po) and MSc in International Relations (Research). This course is available with permission as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit. This course uses controlled access as part of the course selection process.
All International Relations (IR4) optional courses at LSE are Controlled Access and require an application via LfY. Students must include a statement in their LfY application of no more than 200 words explaining their interest in the course and its relevance to their academic and career goals.
Application deadline: 12:00 noon, Friday 26 September 2025.
Notification of outcome: by 12:00 noon, Monday 29 September 2025.
After this date, students should consult the MSc Course Availability Spreadsheet for remaining spaces on IR4-level courses.
For further details, see the LSE Selecting Courses webpage in the first instance or contact IR.Programmes@lse.ac.uk only if necessary.
This course has a limited number of places (it is controlled access) and demand is typically very high. While applications from outside students will be considered, first priority will be given to IR students on the programmes specified in the availability section of this course guide. Offers to students from other programmes not listed here will be subject to remaining availability.
Course content
This course examines the economic, political, and institutional sources of China’s rise and its implications for the world. It is organized into two parts. In the first part, we explore key theoretical frameworks for understanding China’s rise, along with different facets of its power—economic, military, and soft power. In the second part, we turn to special topics, including China’s use of economic statecraft, its relations with other countries, environmental policies, the Belt and Road Initiative, and cyber-politics.
Teaching
10 hours of lectures and 10 hours of seminars in the Winter Term.
This course has a reading week in Week 6 of Winter Term.
Formative assessment
Essay plan (1000 words)
Formative Essay. Students are required to submit a formative essay plan by the end of Week 7 outlining their main arguments. The formative essay plan should be approximately 1000 words. The formative assessment provides students with an opportunity to write an essay outline and receive feedback to support their preparation for the summative research paper.
Assessment
Course participation (20%)
Research paper (80%, 2500 words) in Spring Term Week 1
Course participation: Students will participate in small group discussions on the weekly readings and take turns presenting their arguments. This component is graded based on weekly in-class participation.
Key facts
Department: International Relations
Course Study Period: Winter Term
Unit value: Half unit
FHEQ Level: Level 7
CEFR Level: Null
Total students 2024/25: Unavailable
Average class size 2024/25: Unavailable
Controlled access 2024/25: NoCourse selection videos
Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.