China Foreign Policy

Code

PHIR3033

School

Politics and International Relations

Level

3

Credits

20

Semesters

Autumn Malaysia

Summary

By the end of the module, students will be able to:

• Pertain to a comprehensive overview of the breadth and depth of Chinese foreign policy, as much geographically as thematically.
• Master the diverse theoretical strands that help explain Chinese foreign policy behaviour on the international scene.
• Comprehend the importance of history and domestic factors in determining modern Chinese foreign policy, as well as the key actors and processes involved that demonstrate that China is far from the monolithic foreign policy actor many make it out to be.
• Critically engage with the current hot-topics of concern to China internationally

Target Students

PHIR and FASS students

Classes

• One 1-hour seminar each week for 12 weeks
• One 2-hour lecture each week for 12 weeks

Assessment

• 20% Test: 1 hour In-Class exams
• 40% Presentation (debate and report): Seminar presentation, debate and 1,000 word seminar session report
• 40% Coursework: 2,500 word essay

Assessed by end of autumn semester

Educational Aims

Learning Outcomes

To include a) knowledge and understanding b) Intellectual skills c) Professional and practical skills d) transferable (key) skills. By the end of the semester, students should demonstrate the following in relation to Chinese foreign policy:

a) Knowledge and Understanding

• The impact of historical legacies and ramifications of evolving power status within a shifting international order on foreign policy-making.
• Heightened awareness and appreciation of the complexity of the decision-making process underpinning Chinese foreign policy including internal, external, material and non-material sources of influence.
• Deepened curiosity on the geographic scope and variety of Chinese foreign policy interactions.

b)  Intellectual Skills

• Enhanced ability to access theoretical debates over interpretation of Chinese foreign policy.
• Capacity to generalize about the key vectors influencing Chinese foreign policy making, in addition to the often conflicting nature of these vectors.
• Heighten their critical ability to evaluate China’s contribution (or lack of) to issue-areas of regional and/or global significance.

c)  Professional and Practical Skills

• Strengthen precision and conciseness in writing and research skills.
• Deepen capacity for collaborative work.
• Enhance presentation and discussion skills.
• Develop note taking, listening and summary-writing skills.

d)  Transferrable (key) Skills

• Enhance understanding of how foreign policy is designed and implemented.
• Strengthen ability to critical assess policy statements and official rhetoric.
• Develop capacity for making policy recommendations.

Conveners

• Dr Benjamin Robin Barton