Overview of Course

This course explores the dynamic and multifaceted relationship between the United States and China, one of the most significant bilateral connections in modern history. Through a historical lens, students will examine pivotal events such as the Opium Wars, the Chinese Exclusion Act, World War II alliances, the Cold War, and contemporary challenges related to trade, diplomacy, human rights, the Taiwan issue, and environmental cooperation. These topics highlight how the two nations have profoundly influenced each other's political, economic, and cultural landscapes.

Rather than framing U.S.-China relations in binary terms of "friend" or "enemy" or through the lens of singular international political norms such as realism or institutionalism, this course adopts a broad transnational and global perspective. It emphasizes the complex exchanges of goods, people, and culture, as well as the national and individual identities shaped through these interactions. Students will explore how these exchanges have influenced each country’s understanding of the other, itself, and its place in the world, ultimately contributing to the reshaping of global dynamics.

In addition to political and diplomatic history, the course delves into cultural encounters, migration experiences, and the quest for identity in modernity, with particular attention to the voices of ordinary people and migrants. Students will engage with diverse sources, including travel narratives, memoirs, journalistic accounts, diplomatic writings, and biographies, to develop a nuanced understanding of this history.

No prior knowledge of Chinese history is required, but active engagement with the course material is expected.