POLS 395-3: CHINESE
FOREIGN POLICY
Spring 2007
Wednesdays
DuSable 252
Dr. Y.K. Wang
Office: Zulauf 416
Office Hours: M & W
Tel: 753-7058
E-mail: ykwang@niu.edu
Course Description:
This is an
introductory course to the foreign relations of the People’s Republic of
In this course, we
will examine major events involving Chinese foreign policy and analyze
competing explanations. The course explores multiple accounts of events and challenges
students to think critically and come up with the most compelling explanation.
By doing so, the course encourages students to apply the theoretical approaches
of international relations to the study of foreign policy. Topics include the
Sino-Soviet alliance, the Korean War, rapprochement with the
Course Objectives:
Upon completion of
the course, students should be able to:
a)
explain
what motivates
b)
describe
the major issues and events involving
c)
analyze
the implications of
Required
Texts:
Two books are required for this course:
Chen, Jian. Mao's
Nathan, Andrew J.,
and Robert S. Ross. The Great Wall and the Empty Fortress:
These books should be available for
purchase at the NIU Bookstore. They will also be put on 2-hour reserve at
Founders Memorial Library. Other required articles or book chapters can be
found on the course’s Blackboard website.
Grading:
Class
Participation 15%
Four
Research
Paper Assignment 20%
Midterm Exam
20%
Final Exam 30%
Class participation, including both
attendance and classroom discussion, constitutes 15% of your final grade.
Attendance is mandatory. You will not do well if you regularly miss class. Students who are found to have missed five
class sessions or more will receive “zero” for their participation grade. In
addition to attendance, I encourage you to participate in discussion and will
add points to your participation grade if you actively contribute to
discussion.
You must have completed all the
readings before each class. I have tried to select readings that are easy to
understand, but it is your responsibility to obtain and read them. To encourage
this process, there will be five unannounced reading quizzes throughout
the semester. However, your lowest score will be dropped, so only the four best
quizzes will count toward the 15% of your final grade. These quizzes are short
and straightforward, designed to test your understanding of the assigned
readings. You should find them easy if you have done the readings. Make-up
quizzes will not be allowed. If you miss one quiz, make sure you take the
other four.
The research paper assignment
constitutes 20% of your final grade. You will choose from a list of questions
to be handed out in class. Your paper should have a central argument and must
use citations. Citation format is open as long as it is consistent. The paper
should be 5-7 pages in length, double-spaced, and use size-12 font. The
assignment is due at the beginning of class on April 16. Ten percent of the paper grade will be deducted for
each day the paper is late.
The midterm exam will be held in class on
March 7 and constitutes 20% of your
final grade. The final exam will be held in class on May 7 and constitutes 30% of your final grade. The final will not
be cumulative and will instead cover only the materials after the midterm. The
exam will consist of identification questions and short essays. Prior to each
exam, I will hand out study guides that help you prepare for it.
Your total points will be averaged and converted to letter
grades according to the following grading scale:
90% to 100% = A
80% to 89% = B
70% to 79% = C
60% to 69% = D
0%
to 59% = F
Course
Policies:
1.
Make-up
Exams: A make-up exam will only be given in extraordinary circumstances. You must
inform me as soon as possible before the scheduled exam. Requests
without prior notification and documented evidence will not be accepted and
will result in a zero grade for the exam.
2.
Classroom
Etiquette: Please be courteous and respectful of
others while in class. For example, attend class on time; turn off cell phones,
pagers, or anything that makes noises; do not leave class early; etc.
3.
Extra
Credit: Extra credit assignments will not be
given on an individual basis; maintaining equity for everyone is crucial.
4.
Academic
Misconduct: Academic dishonesty will not be
tolerated. The NIU Undergraduate Catalog states: “students are guilty of
plagiarism, intentional or not, if they copy material from books, magazines, or
other sources without identifying and acknowledging them. Students guilty of,
or assisting others in, either cheating or plagiarism on an assignment, quiz,
or examination may receive a grade of F for the course involved and may be
suspended or dismissed from the university.” Additionally, do not
submit a paper written for another course, or vice versa. Write a different
paper for every class you take. “Double-dipping” is strictly prohibited and
will result in a zero for your paper grade. If you have questions, consult with
the instructor before submitting your paper
Blackboard:
Most of the
communication for this course will be conducted through the university’s
Blackboard Course Server. This course website can be accessed only by students
enrolled in this course. The URL for Blackboard is http://webcourses.niu.edu. Login to
Blackboard with your student Z-ID and password. For login questions go to http://www.helpdesk.niu.edu/ and click
on “Blackboard” or contact ITS at 753-8100. The system uses your NIU student
webmail account. If you wish to receive course-related e-mails at another address, you
need to forward mail from your NIU account to another account. Learn how to
do this on the ITS helpdesk home page (http://www.its.niu.edu/its/helpdesk/webmail_students.shtml).
Department Announcements:
Statement
Concerning Students with Disabilities: NIU abides by Section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973 which mandates reasonable accommodations be provided
for qualified students with disabilities. If you have a disability and may
require some type of instructional or examination accommodation, please contact
me early in the semester so that I can provide or facilitate in providing
accommodations you may need. If you have not already done so, you will need to
register with the Center for Access-Ability Resources (CAAR), the designated
office on campus to provide services and administer exams with accommodations
for students with disabilities. The CAAR office is located on the 4th floor of
the University Health Services building (815-753-1303). I look forward to
talking with you soon to learn how I may be helpful in enhancing your academic
success in this course.
Undergraduate
Writing Awards: The
Department of Political Science will recognize, on an annual basis, outstanding
undergraduate papers written in conjunction with 300-400 level political
science courses or directed studies. Authors do not have to be political
science majors or have a particular class standing. Winners are expected to
attend the Department’s spring graduation ceremony where they will receive a
certificate and $50.00. Papers, which can be submitted by students or faculty,
must be supplied in triplicate to a department secretary by March 1. All copies
should have two cover pages-one with the student’s name and one without the
student’s name. Only papers written in the previous calendar year can be
considered for the award.
Department of
Political Science Web Site: Undergraduates
are strongly encouraged to consult the Department of Political Science web site
on a regular basis. This up-to-date, central source of information will assist
students in contacting faculty and staff, reviewing course requirements and
syllabi, exploring graduate study, researching career options, tracking
department events, and accessing important details related to undergraduate
programs and activities. To reach the site, go to http://polisci.niu.edu.
COURSE SCHEDULE
(Any changes will be
announced in class or on Blackboard)
Week 1
January 17 Course
Overview
Week 2
January 22 Legacies
of History and Geography
January 24 The
Chinese Civil War and the Cold War in
Week 3
January 29 The
Rise of the Sino-Soviet
January 31 The
Korean War
Week 4
February 5 The
Sino-Soviet Split
February 7 The Two
Week 5
February 12
February 14 The
Strategic Triangle and Sino-American
Normalization
Week 6
February 19 Foreign
Policy Decision-Making
February 21
Week 7
February 26 Foreign
Economic Relations in the Era of Reform
February 28 ISA
Conference (No Class)
Week 8
March 5 Catch
Up and Review
March 7 Midterm
Exam (
Week 9 Spring
Break (No Class)
Week 10
March 19 Tiananmen
and Human Rights
March 21 Territorial
Integrity
Week 11
March 26 Regional
Engagement and “Charm Offensive”
March 28
Week 12
April 2
April 4
Week 13
April 9
April 11 The
Week 14
April 16
Research Paper Assignment Due
April 18
Week 15
April 23 Energy
Security
April 25 Sovereignty
and International Peacekeeping
Week 16
April 30 China’s
Challenge to the World
May 2 Conclude
and Review
Week 17
May 7 Final
Exam (