OADI 2120 - China's Diplomacy & the Global South

***UPDATED for 2025/26***

This course focuses on the substantive role that China plays in the Global South where its preponderance of material power and putative developing country status confers upon it a dominant position in bilateral and regional political economies. China's economic position, coupled to an astute use of finances flowing from its mercantilist policies, has enabled it to become the leading trading partner and a significant investor in the developing world. Moreover, the Global South is increasingly figuring in Beijing's expanding security interests and soft power provisions. Interpretations embedded in prevailing academic discourses like socialization, threat and peaceful rise take on new meaning when studied through the lens of ties with developing countries. Understanding how dynamics in this relationship are impacting upon a host of global and contemporary issues (BRICS, multilateralism, peacekeeping, and the environment) is crucial to the shape of the 21st century.

Learning Outcomes

• an understanding of the theoretical and analytical framework that can help understand the dynamics of China's relations with the Global South
• an empirically based understanding of the key debates on China's relations with the Global South
• an understanding of the role of local agency in the Global South in response to China and the new dynamics its policies and presence induce
• a critical assessment of the position adopted by the US, Europe and other emerging powers towards these developments.

Professional Skills

Students will develop an ability to critical ability to analyses arguments, sources and debates in the social sciences generally and in this topic specifically.

No prerequisites

Student presentations will be evaluated and marked, and written feedback will be provided within ten working days of each presentation.

Student final essays will be evaluated and marked. Essay marks will be released together with the final marks in the Summer. These will not be released individually or earlier than the School allows.

• Individual Participation (10%). Students are expected to be prepared for each seminar and actively participate in discussions.p>
• Group Presentation (30%). Students are required to make one group presentation during the seminar. The topic will be assigned by the course lecturer. p>
• Essay (60%). Each student will research and write a 3000 word essay, not including the bibliography. At the beginning of term the course lecturer will provide a list of approved essay questions. Each student must choose one question from this list. Students are not permitted to create their own topics or questions. Essays must be supported by solid academic peer reviewed sources and by credible evidence. Essays must be submitted electronically by the deadline communicated by the professor in the first week of term. p>

• In Class Prresence: 4 hours a week / 24 hours a semester
• Online learning activities: 2 hours a week / 24 hours a semester
• Reading and Preparation for Class: 2 hours a week / 24 hours a semester
• Research and Preparation for Group Work: 1 hours a week / 12 hours a semester
• Research and Writing for Individual Assessments: 1 hours a week / 12 hours a semester