PPOG 665 Chinese Politics

The course provides a graduate level examination of China’s politics and political institutions.  PPOG 665 introduces each public policy student to the history of Chinese political institutions and their influence on Chinese domestic and foreign policies. United States decision-makers and analysts need to understand the dynamics of Chinese politics, the Chinese Communist Party, and the role of the Party-state in governing China’s political institutions.   

Textbook readings and lecture presentations

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Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Discussions (5)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student is required to provide a thread in response to the provided topic for each discussion. Each thread must be 400–500 words in length and demonstrate course-related knowledge. In addition to the thread, the student is required to reply to 2 other classmates’ threads. Each reply must be original and unique and should be 200–350 words. 

Research Paper Assignments (3)

Research Paper: Memorandum Assignment

The student will compose a memorandum describing the central research question, research objectives, an original argument, and the academic contribution the paper will make, along with an outline for the paper. The reader should walk away with a clear sense of the scholarly significance of the proposed project, along with the specific arguments and scholars the paper will converse with. This memo must be 1 page or less in length, single-spaced.

Research Paper: Mini-Proposal Assignment

The student will compose an 8-9-page proposal (for master’s level, 6-7 pages) which clearly states the research question, research objectives, describes the central argument. An abbreviated literature review should comprise at least half of the body of the paper and illustrate how the research project will further academic knowledge on the project’s theme of focus. Building out of the literature review, the proposal must also lay out a feasible, social science-based plan for carrying out the research and building the central argument, a plan which specifies data sources, methods and clearly identifies anticipated challenges associated with project completion. The student should use peer-reviewed work to justify his or her research design choices and must convincingly demonstrate that his or her proposed research design is appropriate for the study of his or her research question. Although it is assumed that final research projects for the course will generate policy prescriptions/recommendations, the focus of this assignment is on laying the foundation needed to complete the research itself.

Research Paper: Final Assignment

The student will compose a 25-30-page (for master’s level, 20-25 pages) (excluding title page and bibliography) research paper, based upon the mini-proposal. Policy implications should be offered toward the end of the paper, based upon the student’s research findings and conclusions. Feedback from the proposal must be incorporated into the final project.