Analysis of Contemporary China

Political Science 244A and 244B is a sequence designed to provide a basic grounding in the politics of contemporary (i.e., post-Liberation) China. The first course in the sequence (244A) is designed to provide a comprehensive overview of the available analytical (i.e., secondary) literature, whereas 244B will be oriented around primary source research culminating in a term paper. Topics to be covered in 244A are relatively diverse and comprehensive, as grouped into three broad thematic categories: structure, process, and culture. Chronologically, the focus will be on the post-1978 period of "reform and opening up." The seminar will be organized around intensive weekly readings, as conceptualized in a series of concise comparative review-essays and in class discussions.