Content, progress and pedagogy of the module

Objectives

The objective of this module is for students to acquire a nuanced understanding of China’s changing position in the global community, encompassing the political, economic and cultural spheres. The focus will be on both official Chinese foreign policy and participation in global governance as well as people-to-people interactions and business interests and on Chinese perceptions of the world. Furthermore, the students will be introduced to relevant theoretical perspectives to allow them to analyse China’s international engagement on a scientific basis.

Content

The module includes themes within:

• China’s position in the current international world order and China’s engagement with international institutions
• China’s role in the global economy and international business
• China’s relationship with specific countries or regions, i.e. the EU, the United States of America, Africa and China’s East Asian neighbours. 
• Chinese self-perception, Chinese perceptions of the world and global perceptions of China
• People-to-people contact and the role of non-state actors in China’s international engagement

The module will form the basis for further theoretical and practical work within the field in the project module of the semester.

Learning objectives

Knowledge

• possess knowledge of Chinese international engagement including both official and un-official relations
• understand China’s changing role in the world and the impact of China’s rise on the current world order and are familiar with different interpretations of this process
• possess knowledge of relevant theoretical perspectives on China’ role in the world

Skills

• can use their knowledge about the module’s subject areas to select theories that serve the analytical purpose and at the same time remain critical to these theories.
• can identify reliable sources of information regarding China’s international engagement
• can analyse, interpret and contextualise China’s changing role in the world and the changing perceptions of China from an interdisciplinary and comparative perspective.

Competences

• can reflect and argue on the basis of scientific knowledge
• can work independently on concrete projects within international and regional institutions and companies involved in cooperation or trade with China

Type of instruction

The module consists of lectures and seminars, possibly with exercises and student contributions.

Exam

Exams