China’s National Security and Military Modernization

The goal of this course is to provide students with foundational knowledge about China's approach to national security and key national security interests, with a focus on how those interests have shaped China's military modernization and security posture in the region and around the world. The course will also address how China's security and military interests impact U.S.-China relations and U.S. policy options.

We will first analyze the drivers of China's national security approach, and then focus on several military-specific topics including Chinese military strategy and capabilities, the military’s role in China’s periphery, and how the PLA and other actors support China’s overseas interests. The course will be interactive and will feature students presenting a policy paper on a China military or security issue of their choosing.