此門研究所課程有兩個主要的目標：

1. 探索中國政治研究中，主要的理論、經驗以及方法論上的研究途徑。
2. 將這些研究途徑與更廣泛的比較政治領域做連結。

在中國政治中，什麼類型的現象是最常被加以研究？如何研究？如何能進行更加深入的研究？中國政治研究對比較政治領域有什麼貢獻，反之是否亦然？在對區域研究、更廣泛的比較政治研究途徑、以及理論的結合上，什麼是最有效的方法？本課程針對研究生在中國研究的論文大綱以及後續研究，預做準備。

學生必須先完成中國歷史與政治方面的入門課程。(如麻省理工的17.547、哈佛的Gov1280…等課程)

1. 所有學生需完成三篇比較、對照以及整合當週指定閱讀資料的簡短評論(約5頁)。學生可以選擇自己想專注的每週議題。評論應該具體描述此論點的因果，並辨認出可替代性的解釋。評論應在討論該單元開始時繳交，不可遲交。
2. 所有學生必須對其所選擇的題目，撰寫研究計畫(約15頁)。這是為學生的論文計畫以及獎學金申請計畫預做準備。研究計畫須勾勒出其研究內容輪廓、解釋其因果和其他的選擇，並與該研究題目的現有文獻進行連結。學生必須在期末時提出口頭報告。

This graduate seminar has two main objectives:

1. To explore the main theoretical, empirical, and methodological approaches to the study of Chinese politics.
2. To relate these approaches to the broader field of comparative politics.

What sorts of phenomena are generally studied in Chinese politics, and how are they studied? How could they be better studied? What has Chinese politics contributed to the field of comparative politics, and vice versa? What are the most effective ways to integrate area studies, broader comparative approaches, and theory? This course aims to prepare graduate students for dissertation proposals and subsequent research on China.

Students are assumed to have completed an intro-level course on the history and politics of China (i.e., 17.547 at MIT, Gov. 1280 at Harvard, etc.).

1. All students are required to write three brief critiques (5 pages) that compare, contrast, and integrate the readings for a given week. Students may pick the weeks they wish to focus upon. The critiques at minimum should specify the causal arguments being made, and identify alternative explanations. The critiques are due at the beginning of the session for which they are written. No extensions will be granted.
2. All students are required to write a research prospectus (15 pages) on a topic of their choice. This assignment is intended to prepare students for the dissertation prospectus and grant proposals. The prospectus will outline the phenomenon to be researched, posit a causal explanation and alternatives, and relate the topic to the existing literature. Students will present their work orally at the end of the term.