WELLESLEY COLLEGE

Political Science 208
Politics of China
Fall 2005

Professor William A. Joseph
PNE 232, x2201
Office Hours: TBA

This course is an introduction to the modern political history and contemporary political system of China. The emphasis is on China's political development; i. e. the changing structure, use, and distribution of power in China from the middle of the 19th century to the present.

Topics include the fall of imperial China, the origins, development, and victory of the Chinese Communist revolution; the rule and legacy of Chairman Mao Zedong, particularly the Great Leap Forward and the Cultural Revolution; economic reform, cultural opening, and political repression (especially the Tiananmen crisis) in the era of Deng Xiaoping; and the evolution of Chinese politics in post-Deng China. Politics in Tibet, the Muslim areas of China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan will also be considered as time allows. Although the focus of the course is on China's domestic politics, close attention will be paid to the influence of international factors on China's development and part the last sessions of the course will look at China's role in the world.

The written assignments for the course, tentative due dates, and weights in the final grade are as follows:

Attendance, Attentiveness, & Participation will be taken into account when assessing the final grade. Please see the list of "Responsibilities and Expectations" attached at the end of this syllabus.

The following books (all paperback) are available for purchase in the bookstore. They are also on reserve in the library.

Video assignments are a very important part of this course, so you should take them just as seriously as the reading. The assigned videos are all on reserve in the Knapp Center. If possible, common showing times will be arranged.

Students are also expected to keep up with current events in China. The New York Times and The Washington Post both do a pretty good job of covering news from China. Daily editions of these papers are available on-line. For other suggested sources for news about China, see China Politics Links, which is accessible via the course conference on FirstClass and the instructor's homepage. The first 10 or so minutes of class each Friday will be spent discussing current events.The issues discussed during this time and current events in general will be part of the final exam.
COURSE SCHEDULE AND READING ASSIGNMENTS: Assignments marked (ER) are available via Electronic Reserve in the FirstClass Conference for this course. Assignments marked (OL) are "on-line" and can be accessed via the course syllabus on the instructor's homepage by clicking on the relevant link or through the On-line Readings folder in the course FirstClass Conference. Items marked (R) are on reserve in the library. The readings are listed in the order in which it is recommended that they be done.

Part I: Starting Points

Sept. 8 Introduction to the Course & the Study of Chinese Politics

Sept. 12 Language, Geography, & 2,226 Years of Chinese History

Part II: From Empire to People's Republic

Sept. 15, 19 Imperial China: The Glue is the Clue

Sept. 22, 26 Imperial China: Things Fall Apart

Sept. 29, Oct. 3 The Five Rs: Rebellion, Restoration, Reform, Reaction, & Revolution

Oct. 6, 17 Civil War, World War and more Civil War

Oct. 10: No Class, Fall Break

Oct. 13: No Class, Yom Kippur [Make-up class may be scheduled]

NOTE: I STRONGLY SUGGEST THAT YOU READ -- OR START READING -- THE DRAGON'S VILLAGE DURING THE WEEK THAT WE DON'T HAVE CLASS.

Oct. 20 Mao & Maoism

PART III: Mao in Power (1949-1976)

Oct. 24 Consolidation and Transformation of the "New China" (1949-55): Golden Years or Ominous Shadows?

Oct. 27 Fragrant Flowers and Poisonous Weeds (1956-57)

Oct. 31, Nov. 3 The Great Leap Forward...Backward...and Rightward (1958-1964)

Nov. 7, 10 Mao's Last Stand: The Cultural Revolution (1966-1976)

 

PART IV: The Transition to Market-Leninism (1977--present)

Nov. 14, 17 Deng Xiaoping in Power: Little Big Man Strikes Back

Nov. 21, 28 Economic, Social, and Cultural Reform in post-Mao China: How MuchChange!Dec. 1, 5 Political Reform in Post-Mao China: How Much Change?

Dec. 8 Hong Kong & Taiwan

Dec. 12 Current Challenges & Future Scenarios