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Spring 1999 |
Prof. Burton Levin |
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POSC 326 |
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The U.S.-China relationship has been marked by misperceptions, unfulfilled expectations and a high degree of emotionalism. This mix has produced dramatic swings in the way these nations have viewed and treated each other. Friendship has alternated with hostility, with resultant major and at time disastrous consequences for both peoples. China's increasing economic and political weight forecasts a more active and assertive Chinese role on the international scene. How China and the United States relate to each other under these changing circumstances will have a great bearing on the fate of both nations and on the global order.
The course will examine the interaction between China and America from the inception in the late 18th century to the present, with greater emphasis on more recent events. It will not dwell on description: the focus will be on discerning the underlying and persisting factors which have made Sino-U.S. relations so special and difficult. Though issues will be viewed largely through the eyes of American witnesses and commentators, a Chinese perspective will also be provided.
This is a seminar and accordingly active participation in discussions is expected. To assure participation is informed, reading assignments should be completed before class meetings. Seminar participation will account for 30% of your grade.
As you will quickly discover, the reading requirements are daunting. Your burden will be eased to some extent by the straightforward and stimulating nature of the selections.
A midterm exam will be given on May 5. It will account for 30% of your grade. You'll have a choice from three or four topics that will be provided on April 14. A final paper (10-15 pages) will account for 40% of your grade. Please submit proposed topics for approval by May 10. The due date is May 27.
Required Texts
Class Schedule
Mar 29 Introduction of course (Discussion of theme and organization: getting to know each other)
Mar 31 Early Encounters
Fairbank, Trade and Diplomacy on the China Coast, chs. 1-2
Cohen, America's Response to China, prologue and ch. 1
Hunt, Making of a Special Relationship, part 1 and ch. 1
Thomson, Sentimental Imperialists, prologue and chs. 1-3
Apr 2 The Missionary Impact
Thomson, Sentimental Imperialists, ch. 4
Hunt, Making of a Special Relationship, pp. 24-40
Fairbank, Chinese-American Interaction, pp. 31-54
Apr 5 Sino-American Interaction
Hunt, Making of a Special Relationship, ch. 2
Thomson, Sentimental Imperialists, ch. 6
Liao, Anti Foreignism and Modernization in China, ch. 7
Apr 7 The Open Door Policy
Hunt, Making of a Special Relationship, chs. 5-6
Cohen, America's Response to China, ch. 2
Apr 9 American Expansionism: Theory and Reality
Walter LaFebre, The New Empire, ch. 2
Bernstein, Toward a New Past, pp. 176-198
Thomson, Sentimental Imperialists, chs. 7-8
Kennan, American Diplomacy, pp. 9-23, 37-50
Crowley, Modern East Asia, pp. 122-49
Apr 12 The Rise of Chinese Nationalism
Dorothy Borg, American Policy and the Chinese Revolution, ch. 1
Hunt, Making of a Special Relationship, chs. 8-9
Cohen, America's Response to China, ch. 3
Thomson, Sentimental Imperialists, chs. 11-12
Apr 14 America and the Triumph of the KMT
Thomson, Sentimental Imperialists, ch. 13
Cohen, America's Response to China, ch. 4
Borg, American Policy and the Chinese Revolution, ch. 19
Apr 16 America's Response to Japanese Expansionism
U.S. Relations with China (White Paper), pp. 13-26
Borg, The U.S. and the Far Eastern Crisis of 1933-38, pp. 519-44
White, In Search of History, pp. 66-101
Cohen, America's Response to China, ch. 5
Apr 19 The War Years
Harding and Yuan, Sino-American Relations, 1945-1955, pp. 3-60
Apr 21 The Chinese Civil War and the Recognition Controversy
Thomson, Sentimental Imperialists, ch. 16
Tucker, Patterns in the Dust, ch. 5
Apr 23 The Chinese Civil War and the Recognition Controversy
Cohen, America's Response to China, ch. 6
Borg and Heinrichs, Uncertain Years, pp. 131-77
U.S. Relations with China, pp. 901-904, 917-19, 923-38
Apr. 26 The Korean War
Goncharov, Lewis, Xue, Uncertain Partners, ch. 7
Chen Jien, China's Road to the Korean War, pp. 158-223
Hao and Zhai, "China's Decision to Enter the Korean War," China Quarterly, March, 1990, pp. 94-116
Thomson, Sentimental Imperialists, ch. 17
Apr 28 The Years of Tension and Deadlock
Harding and Yuan, Sino-American Relations, 1945-1955, pp. 184-212; 238-57; 267-83; 289-307; 311-27
Cohen, America's Response to China, ch. 7
Apr 30 The Years of Tension and Deadlock
Cohen and Iriye, The Great Powers in Asia, pp. 35-55; 98-101; 222-44
Immerman, John Foster Dulles and the Diplomacy of the Cold War, pp. 235-62
May 5 Mid-Term Exam
May 7 Geopolitical Influences; Vietnam Conflict; Sino-Soviet Relations
Gordon Chang, Friends and Enemies, chs. 7 and 9 and epilogue
Thomson, Sentimental Imperialists, ch. 20
May 10 Rapprochement
Harding, Fragile Relationship, pp. 23-47
Kissinger, White House Years, Vol. 1, pp. 163-94; 684-732
May 12 Rapprochement
Kissinger, White House Years, Vol. 1, pp. 733-87; 1049-1096
May 14 Normalization
Harding, Fragile Relationship, pp. 47-106
Cohen, America's Response to China, pp. 195-204
May 17 The Chinese View of America
Shambaugh, Beautiful Imperialist, pp. 151-64; 235-76
He Di, "Most Respected Enemy-Mao's Perception of the U.S.," China Quarterly, March 1994, pp. 144-58
May 19 Reagan Years
Harding, Fragile Relationship, chs. 4-5
May 21 Reagan Years
Harding, Fragile Relationship, ch. 6
Haig, Caveat, pp. 194-217
May 24 Overview of the Relationship
Ross, Negotiating Compromise, pp. 246-62
Roberts, Sino-American Relations Since 1900, pp. 482-96
May 26 Tienanmen
Harding, Fragile Relationship, ch. 7
Kristof/Wudunn, China Wakes, pp. 77-91
May 28 Tienanmen: The Aftermath
Harding, Fragile Relationship, ch. 8
Lampton, "America's China Policy in the Age of the Finance Minister," China Quarterly, Sept. 1994, pp. 597-621
May 31 Thoughts About the Future
Kristof/Wudunn, China Wakes, pp. 424-59
"A Conversation with Lee Kuan Yew," Foreign Affairs, Mar/Apr 1994, pp. 109-26
Vogel, ed., Living with China, pp. 17-52
June 2 Thoughts About the Future
Vogel, ed., Living with China, pp. 61-86; 141-163; 254-275