GOVT 3403 - China Under Revolution and Reform

(crosslisted) ASIAN 3321, CAPS 3403
(GB) (SBA-AS)

Spring. 4 credits. Letter grades only.

A. Mertha.

This course provides a broad overview of the evolution of Chinese politics from the early part of the 20th century to the present. It is roughly divided into two sections. The first traces the formation and the progression of modern state and party institutions following the collapse of the Qing Dynasty in 1911, through the communist rise to power and into the Mao era (1949-1976), culminating in the period of “opening up and reform” (1978-present). The second part of the course examines China’s institutional apparatus, focusing on mapping out the government, Party, and military bureaucracies; examining relations between Beijing and the localities; and on the institutionalization of these structures and processes over time. No prior knowledge of China is required or expected.