What are the origins and consequences of China’s extraordinary re-emergence on the world stage? China’s rapid economic growth has in some respects confirmed the power of free markets, but at the same time it has challenged social scientists to think more deeply about the foundations and limits of the market economy. Furthermore, China’s ever-increasing economic freedom and prosperity has been accompanied by only limited steps toward greater political freedom, running counter to many theories of comparative politics and history. This course will provide students with the foundations for understanding how China came to be where it is and the ways in which this is already affecting every sphere of human activity. This junior seminar can fulfill an upper division requirement for the major.
This course is open to all Political Science Majors of Junior or Senior status who have completed PS 3 and have a minimum overall GPA of 3.3. Interested students must place themselves on the waitlist through TeleBEARS. Selection and notification will occur around August 15, 2009.