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78284-01 - Block seminar: Understanding US-China Relations from Inside Out and Outside In (4 CP)
| Semester | spring semester 2026 |
| Course frequency | Once only |
| Lecturers |
Claudia Brühwiler (claudia.bruehwiler@unibas.ch)
Ralph Weber (ralph.weber@unibas.ch, Assessor) |
| Content | "The future of the world depends on the relationship between China and the U.S.," Henry Kissinger said in 2018 at the 45th Anniversary Gala Dinner of the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations. "China and the U.S. should further seek common interest for the world peace and security." While the first part of Kissinger's statement seems conventional wisdom nowadays, the second part is removed from political reality, with the specter of a second Cold War looming. Many scholars, journalists, and politicians are still speculating whether US-Chinese relations are bound to be as divisive as US-Soviet relations once were, forcing other states to choose their block. How did we end up in a situation in which many fear a new Cold War? And what factors will shape the future of US-Chinese relations? How are the two states perceiving each other? This class will retrace the history and dynamics of US-Chinese relations, on a political, economic, and cultural level. Building on a sound understanding of said history and of the factors shaping US and Chinese perceptions of each other, students will assess possible future scenarios. Kick-off: 2. March, 16h15-18h00 (online) Block 1: 20 and 21 March, full Friday, Saturday morning (in St. Gallen) Block 2: 24 and 25 April, full Friday, Saturday morning (in Basel) Block 1 will be mainly dedicated to the "inside out" perspective, i.e., students learn how the respective systems perceive themselves and how they perceive the world. The first block will build on discussions of mandatory readings and will require students to prepare leading one of the discussions. In Block 2, we will focus on the way the two systems perceive one another - and what problems arise from these attributions. In preparation of block 2, students will organize in inter-University groups of approx. 4, and work on a creative assignment. |
| Learning objectives | At the end of the course, students shall · have a sound understanding of recent history and key dynamics of US-Chinese relations. · be able to critically assess ongoing commentary, especially from international media and think tanks, on the development of US-Chinese relations. · be familiar with more resources such as policy documents for future analyses. · be able to apply learnings from the background session in debates. · have honed their collaborative skills in joint projects with students from the University of St. Gallen. |
| Bibliography | All mandatory readings will be available on ADAM by the first session of the class. |
| Comments | The number of participating students from the University of Basel is limited to 12. In case of overbooking, priority is given to students in the Master's Program in European Global Studies. The course is co-taught by Prof. Dr. Ralph Weber (Basel) and Prof. Dr. Claudia Franziska Brühwiler (St. Gallen) and will involve students from the University of St. Gallen. Teaching will take place in Basel and St. Gallen in persona. Claudia Franziska Brühwiler is a Professor (Titularprofessorin) of American Political Thought and Culture at the University of St. Gallen whose research focuses on the conservative movement and populism. She is a columnist with Zürcher Tages-Anzeiger, host of the University of St.Gallen podcast "Grüezi Amerika", and she regularly comments on US politics in German-speaking media. The class will be travel from Basel to St.Gallen and involve evening activities (e.g. movie, discussion with invited guest) on the two Fridays. Students are kindly asked to consider offering their peers from the other University a couch, spare bed, or mattress to sleep on during their visit in the other town |
| Weblink | Europainstitut |
| Admission requirements | A general interest in US-China relations, but also in the respective states as such, and readiness to work with students from another University, in our case St. Gallen. |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Use of digital media | No specific media used |
| Interval | Weekday | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|---|
| Block | See individual dates | ||
| Comments | Please note that the seminar on 20 and 21 March 2026 is going to take place in Sankt Gallen. |
Dates
| Date | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|
| Monday 02.03.2026 | 16.15-18.00 | - Online Präsenz -, -- |
| Friday 20.03.2026 | 10.00-18.00 | - Siehe Bemerkung, -- |
| Saturday 21.03.2026 | 09.00-12.00 | - Siehe Bemerkung, -- |
| Friday 24.04.2026 | 10.00-18.00 | Riehenstrasse 154, Seminarraum 00.022 |
| Saturday 25.04.2026 | 16.15-18.00 | Riehenstrasse 154, Hörsaal 00.015 |
| Modules |
Modul: Transfer: Europa interdisziplinär (Master's degree program: European History in Global Perspective) Module: Europeanization and Globalization (Master's Studies: European Global Studies) Module: Migration, Mobility and Transnationalism (Master's degree program: Changing Societies: Migration – Conflicts – Resources) |
| Assessment format | continuous assessment |
| Assessment details | Students are graded on the basis of a portfolio consisting of · moderation of a discussion (in groups) in block 1 · hand-written reflection journal covering the entirety of the course · creative group assignment to be presented in block 2 · active participation |
| Assessment registration/deregistration | Reg.: course registration; dereg.: not required |
| Repeat examination | no repeat examination |
| Scale | 1-6 0,5 |
| Repeated registration | no repetition |
| Responsible faculty | University of Basel |
| Offered by | Europainstitut |