China has gradually but steadily expanded its influence over the world. With the growth of Chinese nationalism, the identity conflicts emerge at the same time. Chinese identity not only generates tensions with other countries, even within the Chinese world we can see identity conflicts in regard to indigenous identity of minority groups, people in Hong Kong and Taiwan. The phenomenon of growing Chinese nationalism involves many important theoretical and empirical issues regarding its formation, content, and ideology behind. Furthermore, its political impacts on neighboring countries such as Japan, South Korea, and the United States; as well as its socioeconomic consequences deserve attention.

This course combines an analysis of theoretical issues with the phenomenon of Chinese nationalism and the involved identity politics. It explores issues regarding the formation and growth of ‘new Chinese nationalism’ in the past few decades; its extending influences; and identity conflicts in the Sinitic sphere. In addition, we will cover some theoretical discussions and debates surrounding the concept of nationalism, the ethnoracialization of Chineseness, and ideological aspects of Chinese nationalism.