China and the Global South

4 Credits.

This survey course examines China's expanding presence across the Global South, offering a comparative analysis of its economic, political, and cultural engagement in Latin America, Africa, and Southeast Asia. Students will explore how and why China's trade relationships, development finance, infrastructure investment, and diplomatic initiatives take distinct forms across diverse regional contexts. Drawing on case studies from multiple geographies and commentary from regional experts, the course investigates how local political economies, historical legacies, and institutional environments interact with shifts in China's own foreign and economic policy to shape both the character of Chinese engagement and the responses it generates. Throughout, the course will foreground competing scholarly and policy perspectives on China's role in the Global South, as well as the capacity of partner countries to influence outcomes across domains.