INTL 5645 Area Studies

INTL 5645 Area Studies

China

Spring Term 2014

Thursdays (8:30a.m– 12:00noon)

BLCU Classroom

Instructor:

Name:Tang Xiao

Title:Professor of Political Science, China Foreign Affairs University

E-mail:

Tel.: 68323905

Office Hours:Thursdays(8:30a.m.—12:00 noon)

*As a part of my teaching philosophy, I believe that contacts between you and me through emails/calls/visits are invaluable and highly encouraged in order to extend our in-class discussion; to address your individual questions/problems/suggestions; and, to help each other’s development of constructive criticism and virtuous personality.

Course Description

This INTL China Government Operations course will focus on the system and operation of the PRC government and with emphasis on current foreign policy and interests. Participants will study and gain understanding and operation of the following:

1.The structure of China political system

2.The history, structure and operation of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

3.The election system and the system of People’s Congress

4.The system of the State Presidency

5.The system of Administration

6.The Judicial System

7.China’s foreign policy

8.China’s foreign relations

The course will rely on important China watchers, including individuals and groups. The course will be led by an instructor, but also rely on conversations and talks in the class.

Course Objectives

•The goals of the course to be accomplished are to have the students

(1)Familiar with key words or concepts and technical terms in China political system by attending class lectures, joining class discussion and readingsome referencematerials in the field.

(2) Have a general understanding of China political system, includingthe party system, the form of government, the national people’s congress,the administrative system, the legal system,etc.,.

(3) Gain some knowledge about and better understandings of China’s foreign policy and foreign relations.

(4) Develop communication skills by joining in topic discussion in the class.

Required Book

China’s Political System

By Yin Zhongqing, China International Press, Beijing, 2010

Course Requirements

1. Class Attendance: This is aneight-week intensive course: we will have 8 classes only (a nearly four-hour session for each class) throughout the whole semester. And, learning/discussion in class is an important part of this course. Also, all assignments and some materials will be handed out to you in class or uploaded onto the website. Thus, your class attendance is very important. If you miss class more than once, excused or unexcused, you will lose one letter grade for this course and an additional grade for each absence after that.

*Late-coming and early-leaving will be counted as well. Of course, please turn off all cell phones before coming into the classroom.

2. Class Participation: The class will be structured around class dialogues between you and me in which knowledge, thoughts, and interest will be exchanged and generated. The class dialogue emphasizes the importance of your participation and active learning. For this, your completion of reading assignments and readiness to discuss them are important. Participation is not a formal part of the total grade. However, I reserve the right to give some bonus points to the students who make quantitatively and qualitatively considerable contribution to class discussion.

3. TwoEssays:For the purpose of course review, I will give you two essay questions throughout the semester. Two weeks will be given for each essay (Note Course Schedule.) For each essay, you need to clearly incorporate and cite your reading assignments (and other extra references, if any). Of course, our dialogues in class and your own thoughts are also welcomed. Please type your essay (single-space, 3-4 pages).

4. One Research Paper: For this course, you need to write one substantial research paper. You have your own discretion in choosing a topic as long as it is about contemporary China. Still, you are required to discuss your topic and paper with the instructor throughout the semester, according to the Research Schedule below.

1)Proposal

2)Outline and bibliography

3)Draft of the final paper for your presentation

4)Revised(improved) final paper for your grade

Grades

MA, MS, MSN, MBA, MHA, MFA, MM, MPA, D.Mgt.

Grades in the program are A, A–, B+, B, B–, C, F, I, ZF, and W. Grades reflect the following standards:

A/A– Superior graduate work
B+/B/B– Satisfactory graduate work
C Work that is barely adequate as graduate-level performance
CR Work that is performed as satisfactory graduate work (B– or better). A grade
of "CR” is reserved for courses designated by a department, involving
internships, a thesis, practicums, or specified courses.
F Work that is unsatisfactory
I Incomplete work
ZF An incomplete which was not completed within one year of the end of the
course. ZF is treated the same as an F or NC for all cases involving GPA,
academic warning, probation, and dismissal.
IP In progress
NR Not reported
W Withdrawn from the course

Course Schedule

*Materials with asterisk (*) are mandatory reading materials. The other materials are recommended ones.

*Some more mandatory reading materials will be added throughout the semester to reflect the changing nature of contemporary China.

WEEK 1(March 20, Thursday8:30a.m.—12:00 noon)

Part One: The structure of China political system

The 1982 Constitution of PRC and the form of government
The power structure of central government-The National People’s Congress, The President of the State, The State Council, TheSupreme People's Court and Supreme People's Procuratorate
The structure of local governments-autonomous region and special administrative zone

WEEK 2 (March 27, Thursday8:30a.m.—12:00 noon)

Part Two: The Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

1. The history, structure and operation of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)

2. Relationship of the CCP and the national government operations.

3. The system of multiparty cooperation and political consultation

4.CCPand China’s modernization: achievements and challenges

WEEK 3 (April 3,Thursday 8:30a.m.—12:00 noon)

Part Three:The election system and the system of People’s Congress

1. The election system:

Zoning, registration, nomination, briefing, balloting and announcement of result

2. The system of People’s Congress:

Organizations, function and powers, operation procedures.

WEEK 4(April10,Thursday 8:30a.m.—12:00 noon)

Part Four: The system of the State Presidency

1. Election of the President

2.Functions and powers of the President.

3. The President in China’s politics

WEEK 5 (April17,Thursday8:30a.m.—12:00 noon)

Part Five: The system of Administration

1.The organizational structure of administrationsystem

2. Functions of administrative organs

3. Procedures for operation of administration

WEEK 6 (April 24, Thursday8:30a.m.—12:00 noon)

Part Six: The Judicial System

1. Composition of judicial organs

2. Major functions of judicial organs

3. Judicial procedures

WEEK 7 (May 1, Thursday 8:30a.m.—12:00 noon)

Part Seven: China’s foreign policy and China’s diplomacy

Basic Principles of China’s Diplomacy
Major Readjustments in China’s Diplomatic Strategies
Overall Strategies of China’s Diplomacy

WEEK 8(May 8,Thursday 8:30a.m.—12:00 noon)

Part Eight: China’s significant foreign relations

1. China-U.S. Relations

2. China-Russia Relations

3. China- Europe Relations

4. China-Africa relations

*REFERENCES(will be available in the class or uploaded onto the website)

CRITERIA FOR EVALUATING RESEARCH PAPER

INTL 5645 Area Studies

China

Spring 2014

1. Minimum of 3-4 pages of text (not including title page, notes, or bibliography)