As a core course in the department’s program on East Asian studies, this graduate-level course, conducted fully in English, explores various dimensions of the political, economic, and social developments of the People’s Republic of China since 1979. In addition to familiarizing the students with the empirical evidence and relevant methodology of such developments, this course also introduces the theoretical evolution/debates both in China studies and authoritarianism in comparative politics. An extended goal of this course is to prepare the students for delving into new research topics and conducting independent research on China in the future. Students have to finish all the required readings and be prepared for heavy class participation before each class meeting. Lectures by the instructors where necessary play a supplementary role only.

The major objective is to familiarize the students with the empirical evidence and relevant methodology of such developments, as well as the theoretical evolution/debates both in China studies and comparative politics. An extended goal of this course is to prepare the students for delving into new research topics and conducting independent research on China in the future.

● Four written essays of readings that summarize and, wherever necessary, compare (and, as an option, also critique) ALL READINGS in a given week（50％）. ● Participation in class discussion of weekly readings（50％）.

5-9 hours before each class meetings, for sufficient command of the class realdings to be discussed in the class.

Refer to the syllabus to be disributed in the first class meeting.