China Today

Catalog description

This course introduces students to China in the contemporary era. After the death of the Chinese Communist leader Mao Zedong in 1976, China went through historic changes that led to the rise of China as the world?s second largest economy and the significant liberalization of the country. At the same time, China has been confronted with lingering problems and new challenges, including continued political authoritarianism, increasing economic disparity, social tension and cultural uncertainty, as well as issues of environmental sustainability. China?s national experience in the past few decades offers important lessons for the larger world as it struggles with modernization. Course suitable for students wishing to acquire a basic knowledge of China in recent times.