A research paper on the topic of your choice is one of the requirements for this seminar. The paper can take several forms. It can apply existing theories to a topic in Chinese foreign policy. It can develop an original explanation for a puzzle or problem in Chinese foreign policy. It can challenge existing arguments contained in the literature.
The research paper will count for 50% of your grade.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism will not be tolerated. Plagiarism is "a piece of writing that has been copied from someone else and is presented as being your own work." This includes ideas as well as specific phrases, sentences or paragraphs. Do not misrepresent your own work. See Avoiding Plagiarism from MIT's Writing & Communication Center and MIT's rules regarding academic honesty.
Writing
The Writing & Communication Center offers you free professional advice from published writers about oral presentations and about all types of academic, creative, and professional writing.
Student Examples
Below are examples of essays written by students in previous semesters of this class. All work appears courtesy of MIT students and is used with permission.
"An Analysis of Traditional Chinese Strategic Thought" (PDF)
"Modern Chinese Strategic Thought: Classical and Maoist Influences" (PDF)
"Explaining China's Participation in Anti-Piracy Operations in the Gulf of Aden" (PDF)