Traveling the Silk Road: The Evolution of China and What It Means for the United States

In July 2020, the Chinese consulate in Houston, Texas, was closed as part of ongoing efforts to clamp down on China’s espionage activities within the United States. Events like these have raised concerns about the possibility of a new cold war, if not outright military conflict. This course will focus on understanding the diplomatic, economic, and political history of China since the end of WWII. Discussion will center on issues including the triangle diplomacy with the United States and Russia; the evolution of the Communist Party from Mao Zedong to Xi Jinping; strategic interests such as the Belt and Road Initiative, the South China Sea, Tibet, Hong Kong, and Xinjiang; and China’s role among the regional nuclear powers of India, North Korea, Pakistan, and Russia.

More details