ANTH 3230 - Made in China: The Cultures of Economic Transformation

Goals: To examine the function of the global production system and the links that bind and transform communities, cultures, nations, and individuals across the global geography. This course focuses on the case of China and its relationship to the US and specifically Minnesota-based transnational corporations. It will examine how the forces that bring goods “made in China” to the shelves of American stores have themselves transformed the lives and lifeways of the people living in China.

Content: This course is designed to provide students with basic knowledge of historical, socioeconomic, and political contexts that will enable them to engage with contemporary China in an informed and knowledgeable manner. It has been designed as explicitly interdisciplinary and will draw upon topics and materials from history, political science, economics, and anthropology. Familiarity with Chinese is not necessary, but language students are strongly encouraged to consider this course. The standard course itinerary includes visits to the cities of Beijing, Datong, Nanjing, Suzhou, and Shanghai.

Taught: Alternate years, extended spring term in China.

Prerequisite: None; an introductory anthropology course and some Chinese language would be helpful.

Credits: 4 credits