Sichen Li

This course is not available as an outside option to students on other programmes. This course is not available to General Course students.

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.

10 hours of lectures and 10 hours of classes in the Winter Term.

This course has a reading week in Week 6 of Winter Term.

Essay (2000 words).

Students are required to submit a formative essay by the end of Week 7. This assessment takes the form of a case study on a topic of the student’s choice and should be approximately 2,000 words in length. The summative assessment takes the same form as the formative assessment. The key difference is that the summative essay is an e-Exam completed under exam conditions, whereas the formative essay is a take-home assignment. The formative essay is designed to provide students with an opportunity to practise academic writing and receive feedback to support their preparation for the summative e-Exam.

• Zhao, Suisheng. The Dragon Roars Back: Transformational Leaders and Dynamics of Chinese Foreign Policy. Stanford University Press, 2022.

• Breslin, Shaun. China Risen? Studying Chinese Global Power. Bristol University Press, 2021

Exam (90%), duration: 120 Minutes in the Spring exam period.

Course participation (10%).

The class participation accounts for 10% of the grade. It is determined by the simulation game to be held in week 5. Missing one class will result in 1 points deduction in the final grade. Excused absences will not affect grades; however, students must notify the instructor by email at least three hours before the class. Students with approved adjustment needs who are unable to attend a class will not have their grade affected.