This course sharpens students' skills in empirical academic argumentation within the social sciences, drawing inspiration from Burke's concept of the "unending conversation" and featuring a lecture series by global scholars from the Berlin Contemporary China Network, offering valuable insights for empirical research enthusiasts.

This seminar delves into the impact of digital technologies on politics globally, exploring the rise of digital authoritarianism in China, with sessions covering authoritarian politics, the transformative potential of digital technologies, and specific topics like citizen expression, digital nationalism, and dissent within the country.

This seminar offers a comprehensive examination of mainland China's "green transformation," covering topics such as the anthropocene, China's climate and environmental politics, and aims to introduce students to sustainability debates, environmental authoritarianism, and enhance their English-speaking debate skills.