When the Internet took off in China in the 1990s, it was in many ways a US production gone global, one that many believed would drive democratic reforms around the world. By the 2000s, China's government was both pushing technology use for development and developing intricate controls. The 2010s brought the smartphone revolution, where US and Chinese firms played crucial complementary roles as the two countries' governments took contrasting policy paths. In the 2020s, digital and other advanced technologies are both drivers of and battlegrounds in US-China discord. This seminar will examine the cooperative and conflictual elements of US-China relations in technology, the fundamentals of China's cyberspace and high-tech policy landscape, and the overlap of geopolitical lenses with the development and use of technologies. Students will plan and complete a final project of a form to be agreed with the instructor. These may take the form of analysis for potential publication by the Stanford DigiChina Project, traditional academic papers, policy briefs, or other mutually agreed formats. Enrollment is by instructor approval. Prior study of contemporary China, ability to conduct research in Chinese, and a demonstrated interest in the specifics of Chinese technology developments or US-China relations in technological fields are ideal but not required qualifications, depending on space. Students may enroll for 1?3 units. Readings and participation will be required for all, with the scale of final projects commensurate with enrollment. Interested students should send a one-paragraph statement of interest and optional resume to gweb@stanford.edu by March INTLPOL 15.
1-3 units · Letter or Credit/No Credit
When the Internet took off in China in the 1990s, it was in many ways a US production gone global, one that many believed would drive democratic reforms around the world. By the 2000s, China's government was both pushing technology use for development and developing intricate controls. The 2010s brought the smartphone revolution, where US and Chinese firms played crucial complementary roles as the two countries' governments took contrasting policy paths. In the 2020s, digital and other advanced technologies are both drivers of and battlegrounds in US-China discord. This seminar will examine the cooperative and conflictual elements of US-China relations in technology, the fundamentals of China's cyberspace and high-tech policy landscape, and the overlap of geopolitical lenses with the development and use of technologies. Students will plan and complete a final project of a form to be agreed with the instructor. These may take the form of analysis for potential publication by the Stanford DigiChina Project, traditional academic papers, policy briefs, or other mutually agreed formats. Enrollment is by instructor approval. Prior study of contemporary China, ability to conduct research in Chinese, and a demonstrated interest in the specifics of Chinese technology developments or US-China relations in technological fields are ideal but not required qualifications, depending on space. Students may enroll for 1?3 units. Readings and participation will be required for all, with the scale of final projects commensurate with enrollment. Interested students should send a one-paragraph statement of interest and optional resume to gweb@stanford.edu by March 15.
Offered in Spring 2026 at Stanford University.