Sino-American Relations in the Modern World (282-0-20)

Instructors

Melissa A Macauley
847/491-3418
Harris Hall - Room 344
Melissa Macauley specializes in Chinese history from the sixteenth century to the present. She has published work on social history and legal culture and on Chinese international history.

Meeting Info

University Hall 101: Tues, Thurs 11:00AM - 12:20PM

Overview of class

There are few international relationships more important than the one forged between the United States and China over the course of two centuries. This course will explore the historical evolution of Sino-American interactions from the rise of the American opium trade off the China coast in the nineteenth century to the fraught relations of the two allies during both World Wars and from the Cold War era of rivalry and rapprochement to the present-day tensions roiling the South China Sea region. We will consider the bilateral Sino-American relationship in its larger global context and in connection to the issues of war, diplomacy, commerce, race, gender, religion, and material and popular culture. Special consideration will be given to the Southeast Asian region, where so many of the problems confronting China and the US have unfolded. We also will consider the ways in which the international arena became integral to the domestic politics of both countries.

Learning Objectives

To understand the continuities and transformations in the relations between China and the United States; to improve students' critical reading ability and writing skills.

Evaluation Method

Short paper (25%); Participation in discussion (25%); cumulative final, take-home essay (50%).

Class Materials (Required)

All the assigned readings will be uploaded on Canvas

Class Notes

Concentration: Americas, Asia/Middle East

Class Attributes

Historical Studies Distro Area

Associated Classes

DIS - Harris Hall L05: Thurs 1:00PM - 1:50PM

DIS - Kresge Centennial Hall 2-325: Thurs 2:00PM - 2:50PM

DIS - Harris Hall L05: Thurs 4:00PM - 4:50PM