Course description for 2026/27
China in International Politics
STA1004
Course description for 2026/27
China in International Politics
STA1004
China in International Politics examines the historical development, political economy, and foreign policy of the People’s Republic of China, with particular attention to its role in the Indo-Pacific region and relations with key global actors.
China in International Politics introduces students to key historical and contemporary issues confronting the People’s Republic of China (PRC) in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond. The course is designed to analyse China’s political and economic development while exploring how national identity shapes the PRC’s international behaviour. The course is divided into two main parts. The first part examines the collapse of the Qing empire, the Republican era, and the formative decades of the newly established PRC. It then turns to China’s post-1978 reforms, its ‘rise’ in international power, and the structural challenges that may constrain its regional and global ambitions - such as demographic pressures and heavy reliance on debt-driven economic growth. The second part focuses on contemporary Chinese politics and foreign policy, with particular attention to the PRC’s bilateral relations with major actors in the Indo-Pacific, including the United States, Japan, the two Koreas, Russia, and the states of Southeast Asia. Cross-Strait relations between the PRC and Taiwan are also examined in detail. By the end of the course, students will have developed a deeper understanding of the political, economic, and military dynamics shaping the Indo-Pacific region.
Admission occurs based on general study competence.
Knowledge
The candidate
- has broad knowledge of key topics, issues, and processes shaping the People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) role in international politics, with a particular emphasis on the Indo-Pacific region.
- is familiar with research in the field of Chinese international affairs, including contemporary discussions on the ‘rise of China’ and its regional and global ambitions.
- can update his/her knowledge in the field of Chinese international affairs by engaging with relevant academic literature and policy debates.
- can reflect on how the PRC’s socio-economic and political development relates to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SGD), particularly SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
Skills
The candidate
- can apply academic knowledge and research findings on Chinese politics, history, and foreign policy to theoretical and practical problems in international relations and make well-founded assessments of China’s role in the Indo-Pacific region.
- can reflect upon his/her own academic work on Chinese international affairs and adjust it constructively under supervision.
- can find, evaluate, and correctly reference scholarly sources related to China’s political and economic development, foreign policy, and international relations, and present these, orally and written, in a structured manner.
General competence
The candidate
- can plan and carry out varied assignments - individually and in groups - on topics related to Chinese international politics in accordance with ethical requirements.
- can engage in exchange of perspectives and experiences with others in the field, thereby contributing to the development of sound academic and professional practice.
- is familiar with new thinking in the study of Chinese international affairs.
No costs except semester registration fee. The student should have a PC at their disposal.
Mandatory course for Bachelor in International Relations. Elective course/standalone course for other students.
On-campus (Bodø) lectures and seminars.
The studyprogram is evaluated annualy through course-evaluations and program-evaluations. The evalutations is part of the quality system of Nord university.
Compound assessment:
Course work: Quiz
Grade: Approved/not approved
Course work: Student presentation
Grade: Approved/not approved
Final exam: Individual oral exam (100%)
Grade: A-F
Generating responses using artificial intelligence (AI) tools, such as ChatGPT or similar, and submitting them entirely or partially as one's own work is considered cheating.
None.