THE
POLITICS OF GREATER CHINA
(The Chinese Mainland and Taiwan)
Political Science 797
Tuesday 6:00 P.M.
Dr. Dennis V. Hickey Office: Strong 325
Fall 2009 Tel: 836-5850
Email: dennishickey@missouristate.edu
Home Page: http://courses.missouristate.edu/DennisHickey/hickey.htm
Office Hrs: Tuesday 3:00-5:00
Wednesday 1:00-3:00; 4:00-5:00
or by appointment
Beautiful Strong Hall, MSU
Seminar Objectives: This course is designed as an introduction to the political development, modern history and contemporary political system of “Greater China.” As such, it complements the university’s public affairs mission by promoting cultural competence among students and advancing the internationalization of this institution. Some of the emphasis is placed on China's political development. For example, we will explore the fall of imperial China, the origins, development, and victory of the Chinese Communist Party, the rule and legacy of Chairman Mao, and the astounding “rise of China” in the post-Mao era. But we will also focus on the contemporary politics of the Chinese mainland and Taiwan. And we will explore the amazing changes in relations between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan (MSU will host an international conference on this topic on October 17—see details below). Finally, it is important to note that students will complete a research project that will both help them broaden their knowledge of mainland China (or Taiwan) and acquire skills in the rudiments of staff analysis, program assessment, and policy decision-making. You will learn how to identify policy issues, gather relevant information on them, assess the various options available for action and make well-informed and well-reasoned policy recommendations.
Books:
Purchase two titles:
(1) June Dreyer, China’s Political System: Modernization and Tradition, Seventh Edition (Pearson, Longman, 2010)
(2) John Copper, Taiwan: Nation-State or Province? Fifth Edition (Westview, 2009)
Hand-outs: From time to time, hand-outs will be distributed in class. Students are expected to read/study these materials. Also, some materials will be emailed to students.
Web-based Readings: Some readings will be posted on the world
wide web. Students will receive a user name and password to access relevant
papers. Details will be presented in our seminar. Alternatively, readings will
be emailed to students.
Films: From time to time, we will watch some documentary films. Students are expected to pay attention and take notes during films.
Attendance: Attendance is always important. But it is critically important when a class meets only once per week. Moreover, evening classes are not for everyone. If you cannot or will not attend class, please drop this class. Be forewarned, some questions on the exams may be from material NOT covered in your texts. Disruptive behavior (including chronic late arrival) is not tolerated. For information explaining how those engaging in disruptive behavior will be removed from the class, please see the link at http://www.missouristate.edu/registrar/classdis.html
Don't Be A Monkey--Attend
Class Each Week!
Exams: Two examinations (short answer and essay). Weekly reading assignments are essential preparation for each class meeting and examination. Some questions may be drawn from materials presented only in class. Please budget your time. Following the exam, we will take a short break and then begin the next section of the course.
Conference: We are very fortunate that MSU will host an international conference this fall on the recent developments in relations between Beijing and Taipei. The conference will be held on Saturday, October 17 in Plaster Student Union Room 313. There will also be a reception on the evening of October 16 and formal dinner on October 17. Rather than hold our evening seminar on September 29, students are required to attend two panels at the meeting and write a short “reaction” paper about the papers presented at each panel. If for some reason a student cannot attend this extraordinary opportunity, an alternative assignment will be arranged. Please note that some of the participants in this conference are traveling from mainland China and Taiwan to deliver their talks.
The Research Project: Your Briefing Book: Rather than a traditional term paper, each student will prepare a "briefing book" related to some aspect of the politics of greater China The briefing book should be 15-30 pages, typewritten (double spaced) and turned in on time. At least fifteen sources must be cited in the briefing book. Student must use footnotes (not endnotes) and may follow any acceptable style (Chicago manual of Style preferred). I suggest that you begin thinking about your briefing book long before it is due--all late books will be penalized (five points per day beginning with November 17—meaning if its turned in on that date you receive a 5 point penalty). Proposals are due on October 6, 2009 (instructor reserves the right to approve or reject proposals). The book itself may be submitted anytime, but no later than our November 17 class (the last class before Thanksgiving vacation). All students must adopt the approach outlined at the back of this syllabus for the briefing book—no exceptions to this rule. The books will be returned during the final exam. Please do not ask for your grade or briefing book before the final.
Grades: Each of the two exams (mid-term and final) will be weighed equally (each counts about 30% of your semester grade). The briefing book is worth 30% and meaningful (constructive) class participation and your conference reaction paper (or substitute assignment) counts about 10%. So, your final grade will be determined as follows:
Exam 1: 30%
Exam 2: 30%
B.Book: 30%
Conf: 10%
Plus and Minus Grading (new to MSU): MSU switched to the “plus and minus” grading system this year. The system used in this seminar is as follows:
93-99% A
90-92% A-
87-89% B+
83-86% B
80-82% B-
77-79% C+
73-76% C
70-72% C-
67-69% D+
60-66% D
Discussion Leaders: From time to time, students will be expected to summarize readings, lead class discussion or answer questions that have been distributed. The instructor may also appoint discussion leaders. The student should prepare a short talk outlining the major points of an article or chapter and distribute a short handout to students and the professor.
Non Discrimination Statement: Missouri State University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution, and maintains a grievance procedure available to any person who believes he or she has been discriminated against. At all times, it is your right to address inquiries or concerns about possible discrimination to the Office for Equity and Diversity, Park Central Office Building, 117 Park Central Square, Suite 111, (417) 836-4252. Other types of concerns (i.e., concerns of an academic nature) should be discussed directly with your instructor and can also be brought to the attention of your instructor’s Department Head. Please visit the OED website at www.missouristate.edu/equity/.
Disability Accommodation: To request academic accommodations for a disability, contact the Director of Disability Services, Plaster Student Union, Suite 405, (417) 836-4192 or (417) 836-6792 (TTY), www.missouristate.edu/disability. Students are required to provide documentation of disability to Disability Services prior to receiving accommodations. Disability Services refers some types of accommodation requests to the Learning Diagnostic Clinic, which also provides diagnostic testing for learning and psychological disabilities. For information about testing, contact the Director of the Learning Diagnostic Clinic, (417) 836-4787, http://psychology.missouristate.edu/ldc.
Academic Dishonesty:
Missouri State University is a community of scholars committed to developing educated persons who accept the responsibility to practice personal and academic integrity. You are responsible for knowing and following the university’s student honor code, Student Academic Integrity Policies and Procedures, available at www.missouristate.edu/assets/provost/AcademicIntegrityPolicyRev-1-08.pdf and also available at the Reserves Desk in Meyer Library. Any student participating in any form of academic dishonesty will be subject to sanctions as described in this policy. Plagiarism on your briefing book could earn you a failing grade on the project and/or in the seminar.
Dropping the Seminar:
It is your responsibility to understand the University’s procedure for dropping a class. If you stop attending this class but do not follow proper procedure for dropping the class, you will receive a failing grade and will also be financially obligated to pay for the class. For information about dropping a class or withdrawing from the university, contact the Office of the Registrar at 836-5520.
Cell Phones, Pagers, etc.
As a member of the learning community, each student has a responsibility to other students who are members of the community. When cell phones or pagers ring and students respond in class or leave class to respond, it disrupts the class. Therefore, the Office of the Provost prohibits the use by students of cell phones, pagers, PDAs, or similar communication devices during scheduled classes. All such devices must be turned off or put in a silent (vibrate) mode and ordinarily should not be taken out during class. Given the fact that these same communication devices are an integral part of the University’s emergency notification system, an exception to this policy would occur when numerous devices activate simultaneously. When this occurs, students may consult their devices to determine if a university emergency exists. If that is not the case, the devices should be immediately returned to silent mode and put away. Other exceptions to this policy may be granted at the discretion of the instructor. For example, Dr. Hickey will make allowances for sick child or immediate relative, pregnancy, and so forth. Discuss your situation with him.
Emergency Response Syllabi Statement
Students who
require assistance during an emergency evacuation must discuss their needs with
their professors and Disability Services. If you have emergency medical
information to share with me, or if you need special arrangements in case the
building must be evacuated, please make an appointment with me as soon as
possible. For additional information students should contact the
Office of Disability Services, 836-4192 (PSU 405), or Larry Combs, Interim
Assistant Director of
Public Safety and Transportation at 836-6576.
For further information on Missouri State University’s Emergency Response Plan,
please refer to the following web site:
http://www.missouristate.edu/safetran/erp.htm.
Class Schedule: A class schedule follows. Please note, however, that this schedule (including examination dates) is subject to change. For example, cataclysmic world events (turmoil in western China, a bigger war in the Middle East, snow in Springfield, etc.) and/or class discussion may necessitate a change in the schedule. In this respect, attendance may be of critical importance--all changes in schedule will be announced in class.
PART I: FOUNDATIONS
(August 25,
September 1, 8, 15, 22, and October 6—no class on
September 29 because we will attend the conference on relations between Beijing
and Taipei on October 17)
Read: Dreyer Chapters 1-4
Read: Dreyer, Chapter 5
Read Dreyer, Chapter 6
Read Dreyer, Chapter 7
Read Dreyer, Chapter 8, 9 and 11
Please note that other readings and articles will be distributed in class and we will watch some films..
Suggested Readings: Dreyer Chapter 10 (Education) and 12 (Conformity and Dissent)
Exam: Our Mid-Term Exam is tentatively scheduled for October 13.
PART II: POLITICS OF GREATER CHINA
(October 20, 27, November 3, 10 17 and December 1 & 8)
Read Dreyer, Chapter 13
Read Dreyer, Chapter 14
C. The Chinese Mainland and Taiwan
Dennis Hickey, "The Chinese Mainland's Irredentist Claims to Taiwan: Perceptions, Perspectives and Policies," forthcoming in Andrew Scobell (editor), HANDBOOK OF ASIAN SECURITY STUDIES .London: Routledge Press, 2009. (emailed to students)
Read "Reading China's 'Peace' as "Sugar Coated Poison: Interview with President Chen Shui-bian," CHICAGO TRIBUNE, January 6, 2008, Section 2, p.4. Reading On-line (emailed to students or distributed in class).
Dennis Hickey, "Beijing's Evolving Policy Toward Taipei: Engagement or Entrapment," ISSUES & STUDIES, Volume 45, Number 1, March 2009. (distributed in class)
Dennis Hickey, "Rapprochement between Taiwan and the Chinese Mainland: Implications for American Foreign Policy," Paper delivered at the conference, Peaceful Development and Deepening Integration in the Greater China Region, National Chengchi University, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China, June 11-12, 2009.
Dennis Hickey, "President Ma Ying-Jeou and Taiwan's Internal and External Challenges," forthcoming in Seyom Brown, Cal Clark, Alex Tan and Hiroki Takeuhi (editors) TAIWAN AT A TURNING POINT (Baltimore: University of Maryland, 2009),pp.22-29 (emailed to students).
READ: John Copper, Taiwan: Nation-State or Province? Fifth Edition (Westview, 2009. Read the entire book.
FINAL EXAMINATION
Our final examination is scheduled for Tuesday, December 15 from 8:00pm until 10:00pm ( if possible, we will try to move it to 6:00pm—PLEASE ATTEND CLASS SO YOU KNOW WHEN WE WILL HOLD THE FINAL!!!). It will focus primarily upon Part 2 of the seminar. However, students may be asked to incorporate knowledge gained during Part 1 into essays. In fact, there may be a required comprehensive essay question included on the exam. More details will be presented in class.
Miscellaneous Information
And Some Important Dates
For your convenience, some important dates are provided below. For more detailed information, please see the MSU academic calendar at http://calendar.missouristate.edu/academic.asp
August 24: Fall Semester Begins
August 25: First Day of our Seminar
September 7 Labor Day (Monday)
September 29: No class because Students will Attend conference on 10-17.
October 6: Research Proposals Due
October 13: Exam 1(tentative exam date)
October 17: Conference at PSU
November 17: Research Projects Due
November 24:
All Thursday Evening Classes meet on this Tuesday Evening.
So we do not have our seminar
December 4: Last Day to Drop
December 8: Last Day of our Seminar (and last day of semester)
December 11: Study Day
December 15: Final Exam for our Seminar
RESEARCH PROJECT
REQUIREMENTS:
READ CAREFULLY
I. GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS: Choose some feature of current Chinese mainland (or Taiwan) politics that is of major importance. Explain briefly what the policy is and why the government pursues such a policy. Then, discuss its importance and effect upon that part of the world. Finally, offer some policy alternatives and make a policy recommendation.
II. WHAT IS A BRIEFING BOOK? Briefing books are developed by government agencies (CIA, DIA, etc), executive departments (State, Defense, Treasury, etc.) and scholars in "think-tanks" and universities. They are used by officials when developing policy toward a particular issue. These studies enable decision-makers to evaluate the advantages and problems (or, if you will, the costs and benefits) of various policy options and the anticipated consequences of the policy recommendation.
III. WHY DO I HAVE TO WRITE A BRIEFING BOOK? The goals of this course are twofold. One, to understand the politics of “Greater China” and the major issues confronting the country. Two, to acquire skills in the rudiments of staff analysis, program assessment, and policy decision-making. In this seminar, you will be expected to be able to policy issues, gather relevant information on them, assess the various options available for action and make well-informed and well-reasoned recommendations.
IV. PROCEDURE First, you need to identify the issue (domestic or foreign) that will be addressed. Second, you must gather relevant information. In order to accomplish this task, you must be able to use the library. The library is very strong in the area of China holdings—I order books every year for your use. Of course, books, magazines and journal articles may be employed in your paper. Be sure to take advantage of the Lexis/Nexis computer system
V. A FEW ADDITIONAL WORDS ABOUT ELECTRONIC RESOURCES: Students are strongly encouraged to take advantage of electronic resources, but don’t forget that the library is also full of great books! You may find very useful links to newspapers, think tanks and government agencies by visiting my website at:
http://courses.missouristate.edu/dennishickey/useful%20links.htm
Be sure to visit the various think tanks on the website. These will help enormously when conducting research (think tank links include Brookings, Heritage, Cato, the Atlantic Council etc.)
When using electronic sources, be sure to keep a copy of any article that you cite. Should questions arise about academic dishonesty (particularly plagiarism), you will need to show the instructor a copy of the cited article.
VI. OUTLINE FOR BRIEFING BOOK For your convenience, we will use an example. We are going to write a paper on China’s population control policies. We will use the following steps.
1. Background & Current policy
a. Brief mention of past policies and populations trends
b. Current general Chinese policy toward population control
2. Option Number One: Reduce Population Control
a. positive consequences
b. negative consequences
3. Option Number Two: Eliminate Population Control
a. positive consequences
b. negative consequences
4. Option Number Three: Increase Population Control
a. positive consequences
b. negative consequences
5. Conclusions
a. Policy Recommendation
b. Consequences: Domestic and/or International (explain why this policy is "better" or preferable to others) and positive and negative consequences.
SPECIAL NOTE: When constructing your briefing book, clearly identify the various sections and sub-sections of the book with appropriate headings. For example, clearly separate Option 1 from Option 2 with a heading. And clearly separate positive and negative consequences as sub-sections. Students who do not follow this key provision in this assignment will be penalized.
OTHER POSSIBLE TOPICS:
Please do not ask me to assign a topic for you. China is a huge country and there are many issues that might be explored. Here are some examples:
· Religious freedom,
· The war on terror,
· Revaluation of China’s currency,
· Environmental policies,
· Democratic reform,
· Reorganization of the UN Security Council,
· Policies toward minorities populations,
· Policies toward Taiwan
· Territorial squabbles with Japan
Taiwan is also an extremely important player in the global community—don’t let the island’s small geographic size fool us. Here are some examples of topics relevant to Taiwan:
· Trade and Investment with the Chinese Mainland
· Arms purchases from the USA
· The importance of diplomatic allies
· The Future of the National Health Care System
