KIN4350 – China – Features of A New Geopolitical Power

Schedule, syllabus and examination date

Course content

The People’s Republic of China (PRC) has risen to global power status over the past two decades. This rise is not only noticeable in the classic areas of geopolitics, which typically include diplomatic strategies, territorial claims, and military buildup. China is, for example, also a linchpin of global trade flows and supply chains, creates world-leading capacities in science and high-tech applications, and invests in the building of logistical and commercial infrastructure on all continents. While Chinese activities and influence around the globe are increasingly met with skepticism or even opposition in Northern-America and most of Europe, partnerships and collaboration with entities from the PRC are often welcomed and desired in other regions of the world. Altogether, it has therefore become essential to understand the many features of China’s geopolitical rise, as well as the effects this has on other countries and, in turn, on China itself.

On the basis of the lecturers’ cutting-edge empirical research and a selection of topical academic texts, this course will build knowledge about China’s status and orientation in global politics. Classes will deal with concrete areas, institutions, and actor constellations in which we can observe Chinese geopolitics. Attention will be paid to how China shapes and is in turn shaped by its geopolitical activities. Course participants will be able to expand on the course content via case studies ?and a term paper. Furthermore, at the example of the Chinese case, classes will foster a critical discussion of concepts commonly used to describe types and tools of modern geopolitics, such as "neo-imperialism", "soft and sharp power", or "techno-nationalism". ?

Learning outcome

You?will gain:

  • Basic knowledge of China’s current global role and the impact of its geopolitics on different world regions.
  • Access to innovative social science and humanities-based approaches to studying geopolitics in the 21st century.
  • Insights into different areas of relevance for China’s global integration and geopolitical activity.
  • The ability to include different perspectives in an interpretation of current dynamics in world politics.
  • Skills in communicating about China’s global role to a broader audience.

Admission to the course

Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for?in Studentweb.