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, contrary to the expectations of many. 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.
Familiarity with China (through personal experience or coursework) will help but is not required.
The Junior Seminars are intense writing seminars which focus on the research area of the faculty member teaching the course. The seminars provide an opportunity for students to have direct intellectual interactions with faculty members while also giving the students an understanding for faculty research.
This junior seminar falls within the "Comparative Politics" subfield, and can fulfill an upper-division requirement for the major.
Political Science Majors of Junior and Senior status (must be 3rd or 4th year students with at least 60 units completed) with a minimum overall UC GPA of 3.3. Students must place themselves on the waitlist through TeleBEARS in Phase II. Priority may be given to students who have not yet taken a junior seminar. Selection and notification will occur in mid-August 2014.