The Theory and Practice of Chinese Foreign Policy

12.-21.5.2010

Lectures:
  • Wed 12.5 12-16, U37 sh 4
  • Fri 14.5 14-18, U37 sh 4
  • Tue 18.5 14-18, U37 sh 1
  • Fri 21.5 14-18, U37 sh 1
    Prior registration for the course between 29.3-12.4.2010 in WebOodi.
    The exam will be held Mon 24.5 14-16 in Moodle

    ¤updated 13 April 2010¤
ECTS credits: 2

Teacher

Dr Mikael Mattlin and Dr Matti Nojonen 044572

Prerequisites

Basic studies.

Compensations

The grading level of the lecture course is 2 study credits and it compensates for one book in the study unit M225. The Foreign Policies of Great Powers.

Target group/Course level

Students of World Politics or Chinese/Asian politics.

Objectives

The objective of the course is to provide students with a good overall view and understanding of the practice of current Chinese foreign policy (e.g. central objectives, main concerns, underlying internal dynamics, decision-making style) and the theories commonly used to explain it. Amid growing challenges to the political and economic arrangements underpinning the Post-WWII global order, understanding China’s positions on global issues, and the rationale behind them, is more important than ever. However, studying Chinese foreign policy still presents considerable challenges to Western scholars due to unfamiliarity and difficulties in accessing relevant research material. At the end of the course, students should have gained a set of analytical frameworks and tools with which to better understand China’s foreign policy and it’s place in world politics.

Content

  • Wed 12 May Mikael Mattlin: Introduction
  • Wed 12 May Mikael Mattlin: China’s foreign policy orientation
  • Fri 14 May Mikael Mattlin: China and the UN system
  • Fri 14 May Mikael Mattlin: Sino-EU relations
  • Tue 18 May Matti Nojonen: Chinese national strategic culture
  • Tue 18 May Matti Nojonen: Sino-US relations
  • Fri 21 May Special issues in Chinese foreign policy
  • Fri 21 May Mikael Mattlin: Discussion and conclusion
  • Mon 24 May Course exam (14-16 in Moodle)
  • Readings

Completion

The course is an intensive course consisting of four four-hour modules and course readings for each module. Students are expected to have read the required texts before each module. The exam will also be based on these readings. N.B. The remaining credits of the study unit are to be completed in the form of a book exam within six months, at the latest, after the date of the course completion.
The exam will be taken remotely as an online exam in Moodle. More information will be provided during the course. Please note that because the exam is an online exam, it cannot be retaken. For general information about online exams, please see: http://www.helsinki.fi/valtiotieteellinen/opkeh/online_exam.html

Grading

The course work will be graded on a scale from 0 to 5.

Course results and retake

The results of the course will be available within a month of the exam.

Course evaluation anddevelopment

During the last session, students will have an opportunity to give feedback on the course to the lecturer and to fill in an anonymous evaluation form. During the course feedback can be given anonymously.
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