CHINA AND THE WORLD: HISTORICAL AND CONTEMPORARY PERSPECTIVES

The course aims to provide the analytical, conceptual and methodological tools to understand the tenets, characteristics and evolution of the relations between China and the world in the Twentieth-Century. Class activities will focus on the identification and discussion of the historical experiences and of the key concepts that have affected Chinese foreign policy's outlook and strategy in modern era, and their contemporary relevance.

At the end of the course, students should be able to develop a critical and informed understanding of the history of Chinese' foreign relations and policy and of its contemporary relevance.

Consolidated knowledge of the contemporary history and of China's history in the Nineteenth and Twentieth century as well as knowledge of English and modern Chinese.

Ideology and practice in the China's relations with the outer world in the late imperial period: sinocentrism betwen myth and reality
Colonialism and imperialism and their legacy. The notion of sovereignty in China from the late empire to the People's Republic in the XXI century.
Chinese diplomacy: institutions, concepts and practices in historical perspective.
The conceptual language of China's world outlook: keywords.
China's foreign policy under Mao between ideology and pragmatism.
China's foreign policy in the Reform Era: from Deng Xiaoping to China's entry in the WTO.

The reading list will be published before the beginning of the course with the calendar of the activities and assignments.

A written test on one of the topic or documents presented and discussed in classwork. Evaluation of the test will be based on knowledge of reading material (50%), critical reading and analysis (30%), quality of synthesis and writing (20%).

Lectures and reading seminars in italian. The course will be hosting lectures and seminars from guest scholars.

Italian

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