Global China: Mobility, Infrastructure, and Networks

Undergraduate / Graduate

This course is designed to explore the notion of "global China" and investigate its role and impact in global society. China's increasing presence concerns not only its economic power and massive investments in the Global South, but also its growing cultural and social influence-its so-called soft power in the world. The reading materials are drawn from anthropology, history, and social theory. By combining theoretical discussion with ethnographic studies on diaspora, Chinese capital, soft power, race, and racism in global Chinese contexts, the course will offer useful frameworks and perspectives for raising critical inquiries and tackling cutting-edge issues related to contemporary China. By the end of the course, the students will develop their own research subject on a topic that is related to global China; write a thorough literature review on their chosen topic; and present their research to the class.