Prerequisites: None

Exam Type: No Exam

This one unit course will examine the role that China has been playing in a world order in flux. Models of development, trade, and rights are among the areas likely to be addressed. We will consider, inter alia, China’s engagement of existing global norms, ways in which China may (or may not) now or in the foreseeable future be shaping such norms, and their impact on China. The intention is to hold three of our likely six 2-hour sessions of the class jointly with a comparable class at Renmin University of China, via electronic means — hence, our evening meeting times. Each session will cover a specific topic. In past years topics have included trade, law and development, rights (through the prism of disability rights), the legal profession, corporate social responsibility, corporate governance, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, climate change, foreign investment, and the roles of the US and China in Africa – with the precise configuration from among these to be determined closer to the start of the semester. We have each year done with a mock negotiation jointly with students from Renmin University School of Law and hope to do so again in AY 22-23.  

Note: This reading group will meet on the following dates: 9/15, 9/29, 10/13, 10/27, 11/10, 12/1

Please note from Professor Alford; Since launching the Engaging China Reading Group in 2013, the class annually has included several joint meetings (electronically) with a counterpart class at Renmin University of China’s School of Law. Unfortunately, that will not be possible this year, owing to matters beyond HLS’s control. I will, however, endeavor to capture some of what we would have gained through those joint sessions in a variety of ways, including drawing on our own talented student body, some very interesting visitors and simulations. Please let me know if you have any questions.