HIST 3370 - US-China Relations and Prospects for the 21st Century

This course will examine US-China relations from the mid-19th century through the present, and will explore future prospects through the end of the 21st Century. It will employ a multidisciplinary approach that combines the methods and perspectives of history, political science, and international affairs. Whether as strategic partners or strategic competitors, the relationship between the US and China has been central to the fortunes of East Asia, and the world. To plan effective strategy or policy, we must know how these modern histories set the stage for likely futures. By understanding how major states can maintain multifaceted relations (cooperation in one area, competition in another), a student of this history can become a better citizen, less prone to simplistic Us/Them paradigms and extremism. By understanding how the historical relations of these two leading states underlie and frame contemporary global affairs, students will become less vulnerable to the distortions and manipulations of xenophobia and nationalisms. This is essential preparation for anyone who wants to directly engage one of the top issues determining global peace and prosperity in the 21st century. In the context of exploring US-China relations, students will be introduced to various skills of data analysis, visualization, and presentation that are transferrable to any profession. 3 credits.