THE
POLITICS OF GREATER CHINA
(The Chinese Mainland and Taiwan)
Political Science 697
Thursday 6:00 P.M.
Dr. Dennis V. Hickey Office: Strong Hall 325
Fall 2008 Tel: 836-5850
Email: dennishickey@missouristate.edu
Home Page: http://courses.missouristate.edu/DennisHickey/hickey.htm
Office Hrs: Thursday 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 trajectory that the mainland is taking under the leadership and guidance of President Hu Jintao. Finally, it is important to note that student 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, Sixth Edition (Pearson, Longman, 2008)
(2) Willy Wo-Lap Lam, Chinese Politics in the Hu Jintao Era: New Leaders, New Challenges (M.E. Sharpe, 2006)
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.
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.
ACPS Conference: We are very fortunate that MSU will host the annual meeting of the Association of Chinese Political Studies (ACPS) this fall. The conference will be held over the weekend of October 11-12 in Plaster Student Union and the theme of the conference is “China after the 17th Chinese Communist Party Congress.” The 17th CCP Congress was a high point of the 4th generation of CCP leaders. Along with many anticipated personnel changes, the Congress decided on many new domestic and foreign policy initiatives, codified new sets of ideological and theoretical concepts, prepared for the leadership transition to the post-Hu generation, and laid down the groundwork for possible changes at the 18th Party Congress in 2012. It is certain that the CCP congress will have a significant impact on China’s future development. Indeed, during the meeting, President Hu even called for a “peace agreement” with Taiwan. Rather than hold our evening seminar on October 23, students are required to attend two panels at the ACPS 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.
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 25—meaning if its turned in on that date you receive a 5 point penalty). Proposals are due on October 9, 2008 (instructor reserves the right to approve or reject proposals). The book itself may be submitted anytime, but no later than our November 25 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 ACPS 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%
ACPS: 10%
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.
Dropping the Seminar: It is your responsibility to understand the University’s procedure for dropping a class. If you stop attending this seminar, but do not follow proper procedure for dropping it, you will receive a failing grade and will also be financially obligated to pay for the class. To drop a class anytime after the first week of classes, you must complete and turn in a drop slip at an authorized registration center (seehttp://www.missouristate.edu/recreg/chnsched.html). You do not need to obtain any signatures on the drop slip. It does not need to be signed by your instructor, your advisor, or a department head. If you wish to withdraw from the University (i.e., drop all your classes), contact the Registration Center, Carrington 320, 836-5522
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 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
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 9.
PART II: POLITICS OF GREATER CHINA
Read Dreyer, Chapter 13
Read Dreyer, Chapter 14
Read Lam, Chapter 5.
Read Hickey and Lu, "The Future of Sino-American Military Cooperation: Challenges and Opportunities," in Sujian Guo (editor) 'HARMONIOUS WORLD' AND CHINA'S NEW FOREIGN POLICY. New York: Rowman and Littlefield, 2008. Reading On-line (requires password.
Read Hickey and Lu, "Japan's Military Modernization: The Chinese Perspective," in James C. Hsiung (editor), CHINA AND JAPAN AT ODDS: DECIPHERING THE PERPETUAL CONFLICT, New York: Palgrave-MacMillan Publishers, 2007 [co-authored with Lilly Kelan Lu]. Reading On-line (requires password)
C. The Chinese Mainland and Taiwan
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 (requires password).
Read: "Peace or Poison: Changes in China's Policy Toward Taiwan," Paper by Dr. Hickey and on-line (requires password).
Read “US Department of State, Background Notes: Taiwan,” on the world wide web at: http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/35855.htm
Read "Friction Between Friends: US Policy and Taiwan's United Nations Campaign," THE TAMKANG JOURNAL OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS, Volume 11, Number 4, April 2008. (distributed in class)
Other readings to be announced and there is a possibility that we will host a guest speaker from the ROC consulate in Kansas City.
Read Lam, Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 6 and Chapter 7.
FINAL EXAMINATION
Our final examination is scheduled for Thursday, December 18 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 25: Fall Semester Begins
August 28: First Day of our Seminar
September 1: Labor Day (Monday)
October 9: Research Proposals Due & Exam 1(tentative exam date)
October 11-12: ACPS Conference at PSU
October 16: No Class (Fall Break)
October 23:
No Class because Students attended ACPS Conference
November 25: All Thursday Evening Classes meet on this Tuesday
Evening.
Briefing Book Papers due!
November 27: Thanksgiving Holiday (No Class)
December 5: Last Day to Drop
December 11: Last Day of our Seminar (and last day of semester)
December 12: Study Day
December 18: Final Exam for our Seminar
RESEARCH PROJECT
REQUIREMENTS:
READ CAREFULLY
I. GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS: Choose some feature of current Chinese (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,
· Relations with Russia,
· 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.
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
