IWPO 677
4 credits
This course explores Chinese military history and thought to provide a greater understanding of the traditions and evolution of Chinese military decision making processes at the strategic and operational levels. The course opens with an examination of fundamental strategic issues as dictated by China’s geography and cultural differences from its neighbors before transitioning into a study of the philosophical underpinnings of Chinese military thought such as Sun Tzu and the Romance of the Three Kingdoms. After establishing this basis, the course will examine case studies and trends through China’s military history before drawing deeper focus on events during the modern era, such as the Opium Wars, the Sino-Japanese Wars, the Chinese Civil War, and the Korean War. The last portion of the class will discuss China’s contemporary current military posture and strategic priorities in light of these historical factors and in the context of the evolving international situation.
