Study information

Contemporary Chinese Diplomacy and Foreign Policy

Module titleContemporary Chinese Diplomacy and Foreign Policy
Module codePOL3306
Academic year2024/5
Credits15
Module staff
Duration: Term123
Duration: Weeks

11

Number students taking module (anticipated)

35

Module description

For better or for worse, China has emerged as a key player in international affairs, shaping global dynamics with its expansive economic and military growth. Understanding the nuances of the China’s foreign policy is now more critical than ever.

This module is designed to provide you with a comprehensive foundation in China's contemporary foreign policy and statecraft. It will delve into the intricate mechanisms through which Beijing articulates its interests, pursues its objectives, and conducts its activities on the global stage.

Through a blend of theoretical frameworks and practical case studies, the course will facilitate a deeper comprehension of the China’s strategic intentions and diplomatic manoeuvres. By the end of this module, the students will possess the analytical tools required to critically assess China's international role and its impact on world affairs, preparing them to engage with the complexities of international relations in the 21st century.

There are no pre-requisite or co-requisite modules required to take this module. This module is suitable for both specialist and non-specialist students and recommended for interdisciplinary pathways. Nonetheless, students are encouraged to integrate and apply knowledge and concepts acquired from other modules offered by the University.

Module aims - intentions of the module

The purpose of this module is to help students understand China’s foreign policy from the perspective of those involved in its formulation and debate.

The module is divided into three main parts, each addressing a series of interconnected topics. The first part aims to deepen students' understanding China as an international actor, exploring how its foreign policy is crafted and its relationship with history. The second part outlines China’s relations with other major powers and key regions around the world. Building on the insights from the first two parts, the third part examines China’s strategies and positions in global security and economic affairs.

Throughout the course, weekly lectures and discussions will also touch upon additional topics relevant to these themes.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

  • 1. Define and understand the history and dynamics of China’s foreign policy.
  • 2. Understand the role of key actors in the context of foreign policy making in China.

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

  • 3. Explore how concepts from International Relations and Political Science can be employed to understand China’s foreign policy.
  • 4. Analyse the main trends in the relations between China and important countries and regions.

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

  • 5. Improve analytical skills and critical thinking.
  • 6. Develop the skills necessary to articulate and present ideas in an effective manner.

Syllabus plan

 Part 1: Understanding and Interpreting the China as an International Actor

  • Chinese foreign policy through the Lens of IR Theory: What Kind of Actor is China?
  • Introduction to Foreign Policy Making in China: A Complex Machine
  • The Influence of History on China’s Foreign Policy

 

Part 2: China’s Relations with Powers and Regions

  • China and the United States: Losing Each Other
  • China and Europe: The Tyranny of Distance
  • China and Russia: Who is the Junior Parter?
  • China and Africa: From Revolution to Business
  • China and Asia: A Contested Neighbourhood

 

Part 3: China and Key International Issues

  • China and International Security: An Uncertain Power
  • China and the Global Economy: Development and Influence

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Scheduled Learning and Teaching ActivitiesGuided independent studyPlacement / study abroad
221280

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Scheduled Learning and Teaching2211 x 2-hour seminars
Guided Independent Study 44Reading and preparations for seminars
Guided Independent Study 84Research and writing required for completion of course work

Formative assessment

Form of assessmentSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Research proposal500 words1-6Oral and written

Summative assessment (% of credit)

CourseworkWritten examsPractical exams
10000

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment% of creditSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Research essay702,500 words1-6Written
Opinion essay301,000 words1-6Written

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Original form of assessmentForm of re-assessmentILOs re-assessedTimescale for re-assessment
Research essayResearch essay1-6Referral/Deferral period
Opinion essayOpinion essay1-6Referral/Deferral period

Re-assessment notes

Re-assessment takes place when the summative assessment has not been completed by the original deadline, and the student has been allowed to refer or defer it to a later date (this only happens following certain criteria and is always subject to exam board approval). For obvious reasons, re-assessments cannot be the same as the original assessment and so these alternatives are set. In cases where the form of assessment is the same, the content will nevertheless be different.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

  • John W. Garver, China's Quest: The History of the Foreign Relations of the People's Republic (New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 2018), revised and updated;
  • David M. Lampton (ed.), The Making of China’s Foreign and Security Policy in the Reform Era (Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press, 2001);
  • Daniel Lynch, China's Futures: PRC Elites Debate Economics, Politics, and Foreign Policy (Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press, 2015);
  • Susan L. Shirk, China: Fragile Superpower (New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 2007);
  • Susan L. Shirk, Overreach: How China Derailed Its Peaceful Rise (New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 2022);
  • John Delury and Orville Schell, Wealth and Power: China’s Long March to the Twenty-first Century (Penguin Random House, 2013);
  • Yu Hua, Brothers (Pantheon Books, 2005).

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

Key words search

China, Foreign Policy

Credit value15
Module ECTS

7.5

Module pre-requisites

None

Module co-requisites

None

NQF level (module)

6

Available as distance learning?

No

Origin date

19/02/2024

Last revision date

19/02/2024