LASS403 Us/China: Ties Or Clashes 3cr

This course explores the relationship between China and the United States from its beginning to the present. Unlike conventional narratives of Sino-U.S. relations focusing on politics and diplomatic relations, this course will cover more broadly social, cultural,and economic interactions, such as mutual perceptions and images,cultural/educational exchanges, migration and foreign policies, and international trade. Accordingly, we will look at a wide array of individuals and institutions such as missionaries, educators, merchants, migrants, non-government organizations, corporations and mass media rather than nation-states as the sole actors on the stage. We will place China and the United States in their regional and historical contexts while focusing on the interactive dynamic to show how their relations shaped their own histories as well as the global history. This course is to help students develop a solid understanding of the evolution of Sino-U.S. relations over time as well as a sharp and well informed perspective on current challenges and opportunities, especially the new face of
Sino-U.S.relations with China’s rise as a major economic powerhouse and the repositioning of the United States in the world. In addition to learning about the substance of these facets of Sino-U.S. relations, the course is designed to teach several important skills to students: informed reading of various types of sources, historical and critical thinking, policy analysis and debates,oral presentation and writing, and teamwork. Different assignments are designed to develop and advance these skills.[Formelry titled China-U.S. Relations]

Prerequisites: FRSM-100 and LALW-100

Seminar

Fall