Suspended in 2025/26
IR445 One Unit
Global Politics of China
This information is for the 2025/26 session.
Course Convenor
Prof William Callahan
Availability
This course is available on the 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.
How to apply: All students must include a brief written statement of no more than 200 words explaining why they wish to take the course and how it will benefit their academic/career goals.
Places on capped courses cannot be guaranteed.
Deadline for application: The deadline for applications is 12:00 noon on Friday 26 September 2025.
You can expect to be informed of the outcome of your application by 12:00 noon on Monday 29 September 2025.
For questions about the academic content of a Department of International Relations course, students should contact the teacher responsible as listed in the hyperlinked course guide.
For questions about your programme regulations, please contact your programme convenor/director or your Academic Mentor.
For questions about the process of applying to a Department of International Relations course, if not already clear from the information provided, please contact IR.Programmes@lse.ac.uk.
Students are advised to check the MSc Course Availability Spreadsheet.xlsx for information on the remaining availability of EU4, DV4, GV4, IR4, PP4 and SO4 courses after 12:00 noon Monday 29 September.
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)
Students will submit an Essay Outline (1000 words) in the WT. 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.
Indicative reading
TBC
Assessment
Course participation (20%)
Research paper (80%, 2500 words) in Spring Term Week 1
Class 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: One 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.