China on the World Stage: Weighing the U.S. Response

Part I surveys the history of the U.S. interaction with China. There are two lessons aligned with Part I: 1) The Geography of China, and 2) History of U.S.-China Relations through Primary Sources.

Part II explores the economic, social, and political dimensions of China’s transformation under Deng Xiaoping and the effects of those changes for Chinese people today. There are two lessons aligned with Part II: 1) Art and Politics: Ai Weiwei, and 2) Xu Wenli and the China Democracy Party.

Part III reviews the most critical issues on the current U.S.-China policy agenda. Lessons aligned with Part III include: 1) Cross-Strait Relations, 2) U.S. and Chinese Perspectives, and 3) South China Sea: Maritime Conflicts.

Students familiarize themselves with China and its neighbors, significant cities, and landmarks on a map. They then work together to explore images of China and identify issues and themes for inquiry.

Using excerpts from three key documents, students analyze the attitudes and perceptions that have framed U.S.–China relations over the past 150 years.

Students assess a contemporary artist's controversial response to censorship in China. Students consider the role of artists in society and explore the use of art as political expression.

Students explore the topic of political prisoners and watch videos of Xu Wenli, a Chinese dissident and democracy advocate. Xu describes his time in prison and the democracy movement in China.

Using multiple sources—such as news articles, public opinion data, leaders' statements, and political cartoons—students examine the basics of the conflict across the Taiwan Strait.

Students assess 2019 speeches at the UN General Assembly by President Trump and China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Students evaluate language for tone to gain a better understanding of different perspectives on U.S.-China relations.

Students explore, discuss, and evaluate multiple perspectives on maritime disputes in the South China Sea.

The Options Role Play is the key lesson in the unit, and it asks students to examine four distinct options for U.S. policy toward China in preparation for writing their own option.

Synthesis Lesson: Armed with historical knowledge and a sense of their own values, students deliberate the options presented. They articulate coherent recommendations for U.S. policy and defend their views in a letter to a newspaper or a member of Congress.