POLS 3250: Chinese Government and Politics (Utah State University)
Course Description
China is a paradox: a developmental and allegedly merit-based autocracy, a communist party that champions market economy and global trade, a censorship regime, a surveillance state, and yet a land of innovation and creativity—the dragon, and the panda.
In this course, we explore the dramatic political, economic, and cultural transformations of contemporary China. We will examine the institutions of the Communist Party of China (CCP), political participation and public opinion of the Chinese people, and China’s quest for modernization and its potentials and limits.
You will leave this class with a foundational understanding of China’s troubled modern history, the analytical skills to grasp its complex present, and a fresh perspective on its dynamic future. We also will discuss China’s impact on the U.S. and the world, and prepare you for a future where China is a force to be reckoned with.
Course Syllabi: Spring 2026, Spring 2025, Spring 2024
China is a paradox: a developmental and allegedly merit-based autocracy, a communist party that champions market economy and global trade, a censorship regime, a surveillance state, and yet a land of innovation and creativity—the dragon, and the panda.
In this course, we explore the dramatic political, economic, and cultural transformations of contemporary China. We will examine the institutions of the Communist Party of China (CCP), political participation and public opinion of the Chinese people, and China’s quest for modernization and its potentials and limits.
You will leave this class with a foundational understanding of China’s troubled modern history, the analytical skills to grasp its complex present, and a fresh perspective on its dynamic future. We also will discuss China’s impact on the U.S. and the world, and prepare you for a future where China is a force to be reckoned with.
Course Syllabi: Spring 2026, Spring 2025, Spring 2024