Prof. Shelley Rigger Spring 1997

Chambers 324 Monday 1:30-4:00

ext. 2280 (email SHRIGGER) Office Hours: Tue, Thu 2:30-5:00; Wed 9:00-11:00

home phone 896-0569

The Course

The British colony of Hong Kong is one of the most marvelous places on earth. A barren rock two hundred years ago, it has become a densely-packed hub of international commerce, attracting residents and vistors from every continent. Walking the streets of Kowloon or Central, a visitor feels the influence of China, Japan, South Asia, Africa, Australia, Europe and the Americas. At this moment, every variety of cuisine is cooking in Hong Kong; every imaginable product and service is for sale. Under British control, Hong Kong has blossomed into the most cosmopolitan city in human history.

But Hong Kong is unmistakeably a part of China, and it is about to become even more so. For in less than six months, the British government will return this glittering jewel to its motherland. The eyes of the world will be on Hong Kong on July 1, 1997, when the five-star flag of the People's Republic of China is raised over the city for the first time.

Hong Kong's fate raises fascinating questions, not only about Hong Kong, China and Great Britain, but about politics in general. Is it possible to separate economics from politics, as China will have to do if it is to avoid undermining either Hong Kong's prosperity or its own stability? Is it possible for a single political entity to incorporate two distinct political systems, as China has promised in its "one country, two systems" formula for Hong Kong's return? Which is more powerful, the sword of government, or the purse of business? What does it mean to belong to the Chinese nation? Is there a difference between nationality and citizenship? And what will China be in the 21st century? What role will it play in Asia and in the world? These are the far-reaching questions we will explore as we study the unfolding story of Hong Kong on the verge of a historic transition.

Requirements

This course is a seminar, which means that you are responsible for making it work. I will not lecture to you after the first day; in fact, students will facilitate all of the sessions after our first three meetings. The course will succeed or fail based on what you put into it. Seminars are meant to be adventures, in which a professor and students collaborate together to thoroughly investigate a topic that fascinates them.

This means that every one of you must be diligent in:

Reading: I have assigned readings for each of the seminars; however, these are not necessarily the only readings we will have. Even the topics of the sessions may change. Each student will be responsible for one of the sessions; he or she will select readings to supplement, or even replace, the ones on this list. In order to accommodate events as they unfold, as well as the interests of the students, the syllabus must remain flexible.That means you must remain flexible, too. It goes without saying that you owe it to yourself and your classmates to keep up with the reading.

Participation: If you do not participate, we all will be miserable. This course is based on the assumption that advanced students studying a topic in depth will have lots to contribute. Also, given that this course will meet only 15 times, it is essential that you attend every class. You will lose a signficant chunk of your participation score if you are absent. If you know you will have absences, drop the course now.

Seminar Preparation: At our second meeting, on January 20, each student will volunteer for a seminar date and topic. You will be responsible for researching and that topic and leading the seminar on that date. Your responsibilities include finding supplemental or replacement readings, which you should give to me by two Fridays before your session. I will copy the readings you have selected and distribute them in class the week before your session. You then can expect your classmates to have read all the material you have assigned when you lead them in discussion. Read through the material I have assigned for your seminar well in advance, to see what, if any, of it you wish to use.

Research Paper: The final product of the semester will be a major research paper on a topic of your choosing. I will ask you for a formal topic statement (a one-page synopsis, typed of course) at our February 24 meeting. You are welcome to consult with me before, during and after the topic-development process. If you wish to write about a topic that is related to your seminar, that's fine. An annotated bibliography will be due on March 31, and you will hand in a thesis statement and detailed outline on April 14. The final paper, which should be between 20 and 40 double-spaced pages in length, will be due on May 6. All work is due in class except the final paper, which will be due at 5:00 PM.

Grading

Participation: 10%

Seminar Preparation: 25%

Topic Statement: 5%

Annotated Bibliography: 10%

Thesis statement and outline: 10%

Final Paper: 40%

Please note: On your written work, please use a cover sheet with your name, the name of the course, the title of the paper and the honor pledge. Staple the title page to the rest of the essay. Please do not put your name on the other pages.

Anything you hand in is pledged work. But as a reminder of the honor code's importance, I would like you to write out the honor code in full on the cover sheet of any work you hand in. ("On my honor I pledge that I have neither given nor received help on this work, nor am I aware of any violation on the part of others.") If for some reason you do not write the honor code, that does not exempt the work from the honor code. Please make sure you understand the honor code, especially the definition of plagiarism. If you have any questions, doubts or concerns about any aspect of the honor code, please come and talk to me. If you are unsure of how you should cite material (including Internet sources), please discuss your questions with me.

Course Schedule

(assignments are due on the day under which they are listed)

January 13: Introducing Hong Kong

January 20: The British Acquisition of Hong Kong

Welsh, A Borrowed Place pp. 32-131

January 27: Hong Kong and the People's Republic of China

Welsh, pp. 441-473

Yahuda, Hong Kong: China's Challenge, pp. 1-42

February 3: One Country, Two Systems: Thomas Wang and Andrew Sicora

Yahuda, pp. 43-60

Bueno de Mesquita, Red Flag Over Hong Kong pp. 17-65

February 10: Economic Powerhouse: Andy Fulford and Dan Cowan

Welsh, pp. 474-501

February 17: Integrating Two Economic Systems: Graham Ernst

Khanna, Southern China, Hong Kong and Taiwan pp. 1-41, 55-60, 71-91

Chan and Postiglione, The Hong Kong Reader pp. 182-208

Topic Statement Due

February 24: Perfidious Albion? Negotiating Hong Kong's Fate: Chad Foster and Mary Margaret Cochrane

Staniland, case study

March 10: Evaluating the Negotiations: Saad Gul and Lindsay Traylor

Yahuda, pp. 61-82

Chan and Postiglione, pp. 8-64

Welsh, pp. 502-540

March 17: Who are the Hong Kong People? Spencer Sword and Allison Moore

deLisle and Lane, "Borrowed Place, Out of Time: Democracy, Identity and Sovereignty in

Hong Kong"

Chan and Postiglione, pp. 98-132

March 24: "Reluctant Exiles": Emigration from Hong Kong: Katie Wells and Mary Clare Jalonick

Chan and Postiglione, pp. 133-181

Khanna, pp. 42-54

Annotated Bibliography Due

March 31: No Class (Easter Break)

April 7: The Rise (and Fall?) of Democracy in Hong Kong: Warren Buford

Chan and Postiglione, pp. 65-97

April 14: Guest Speakers

Outline and Thesis Statement Due

April 21: Organizing the Transition

Yahuda, pp. 83-108

Bueno de Misquita, pp. 69-100

April 28: Divining the Future: Peter McGuire

Yahuda, pp. 109-150

Chan and Postiglione, 209-216

Bueno de Misquita, 101-140