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Магистратура 2018/2019

Современные международные отношения в странах Азии

Статус: Курс обязательный (Бизнес и политика в современной Азии)
Направление: 58.04.01. Востоковедение и африканистика
Когда читается: 1-й курс, 1, 2 модуль
Формат изучения: с онлайн-курсом
Прогр. обучения: Бизнес и политика в современной Азии
Язык: английский
Кредиты: 3
Контактные часы: 24

Course Syllabus

Abstract

Title of the course: Contemporary international relations in Asia. Prerequisites: Basic knowledge of Asian history. This course is an overview of international relations in Asia that aims at familiarizing students with the main economic and political issues of the region.
Learning Objectives

Learning Objectives

  • The ultimate goal of the course is to provide students with the basic knowledge and understanding of the processes taking place in Asia and enable them to produce a fine academic research on a certain issue regarding the region. The practical academic skills trained through the seminars include literature search, text analysis and academic writing.
Expected Learning Outcomes

Expected Learning Outcomes

  • Work with information: find, evaluate, systematize and use information necessary for solving scientific and professional problems from various sources, (on the basis of a systematic approach).
  • Communicate in English on professional topics.
  • Prepare scientific and analytical reports, reviews, presentations, information briefs and explanatory notes in their professional field.
  • Take into account the cultural specificity characteristic of the countries of the studied region in their practical and research activities.
  • Use the conceptual apparatus of scientific research, critically analyze the information.
  • Understand and analyze socially and personally significant problems and processes occurring in society.
Course Contents

Course Contents

  • Part 1. Soft Power and International Relations in Asia
    Lecture 1. Seminar 1. Questions for discussion: 1. What are the sources of SP for Asian countries? 2. What are the tools that Asian countries use to strengthen their SP? 3. Who are the main competitors of Asian countries in SP sphere? 4. What are the main challenges that countries face? 5. How effective is SP strategy of Asian countries?
  • Part 2. Global Governance and Asia
    Lecture 2: Asia and the UN Seminar 2: Global Governance in Asian perspective Questions for discussion: 1. How Chinese view of Global Governance is connected to traditional philosophy? 2. What are the main cornerstones of preferable world order for China and why? 3. Does China have ability and legitimacy to be a leader in International Relations? 4. What are the foundations of Korea‟s middle power status? 5. What are the challenges and prospects for Korea's continuing role in global governance? 6. In what spheres middle powers are most likely to offer leadership and why? 7. What are the reasons for Japan to take more active role in global governance? 8. What challenges does Japan face in its pursuit of more active role in Global Governance? 9. What Japan can offer to the global governance? 10. How legitimate and successful is Japanese leadership so far? 11. What are the main specific features of Global Governance ideas on the Middle East? 12. What patterns can be observed in the behaviour of Islamist organizations? 13. What are the possible future trajectories of Islamist Global Governance? Seminar 3: Asian IR Questions for discussion: 1. What can be the source/inspirations for Asian IRT (for China, Japan and the Middle East)? 2. Is it a problem that IRT is West-centric? Why? 3. Are there any concepts created in Asia that can contribute to the global IRT? How?
  • Part 3. Foreign policy of East Asian States: Actors, Concepts and National Interests
    Seminar 4: Japan’s Foreign Policy and Pacifism Questions for discussion: 1) How has Japan‟s security policy evolved since the end of the World War II? 2) According to Miyashita, what factors contributed to the development of Japan‟s pacifism? 3) According to Miyashita, how can realist and constructivist theories be used to explain Japan‟s pacifism after the Cold War? 4) According to Miyashita, what role does alliance with the USA play in development of Japan‟s pacifism? 5) According to Miyashita, how have internal political process in Japan influenced evolution of its security policy? 6) According to Ilai Z. Saltsman, what theory best explain recent reorientation of Japan‟s security policy? Lecture 3: China’s Foreign Policy: Actors and Concepts This lecture introduces the institutions that enable generation and execution of China‟s foreign policy. It discusses role of actors in China‟s foreign policy making, such as CCP, State Council, PLA, provinces, cities and corporations, political elites and factions. The lecture also addresses conceptual evolution of China‟s foreign policy: five principles of peaceful coexistence, harmonious world, peaceful rise, Chinese dream. Seminar 5: Nationalism and foreign relations in East Asia Questions for discussion 1. How does nationalism affect international relations in East Asia? 2. Do policymakers in East Asia employ public opinion strategically?
  • Part 4. Interregional Relations
    Lecture 4: Relations of East Asian and Middle Eastern states Evolution of diplomatic relations of East Asian and Middle Eastern states. Economic cooperation of East Asian and Middle Eastern states: energy resources, arms sales. FDIs in. Armed conflicts in the Middle East and position of East Asian states, peacekeeping. Uighur separatism in China and Middle East.
  • Part 5. The Middle East in International Relations
    Lecture 5 and Seminar 6: Conflicts at the Middle East Lectures and seminars will be held in an interactive form. Students will be asked to simulate one of the current conflicts in the Middle East.
Assessment Elements

Assessment Elements

  • non-blocking Class participation and discussion of mandatory readings
    All students have to read mandatory articles (or book chapter) for each seminar. This means students should be prepared to summarize, assess critically and evaluate the significance of every reading. Class participation will be evaluated based on the quality and frequency of students‟ contributions, with greater weight given to quality. It is expected that you engage with other students‟ and the instructor‟s ideas constructively, critically, and respectfully. Quality contributions to class discussions (questions, comments) demonstrate that you have read and comprehended the assigned materials; that you can analytically reflect and critically comment on the central ideas of the readings; and that you can make connections between these ideas and other themes or readings in the course. To prepare for this section, students have to do the reading and focus on the following questions: Q1. What are the assumption / hypothesis / objectives of the study? Q2. What is/are the major finding(s) of the study? Q3. How did the authors test their hypothesis? Q4. How reliable are the results of the test? Q5. Based on your analysis of the study, are the claims raised there in accurate? Q6. What are the importance / implication of the study?
  • non-blocking Literature review
    Each student is required to produce a detailed literature review paper that provides an overview of previous research on some aspect of international relations in Asia. This paper should include: - discussion of research evolution over time; - discussion and comparison of theoretical approaches used by different researchers; - discussion and comparison of different methodological approaches used by researchers; - discussion and comparison of major findings and conclusions; - gaps in existing literature and suggestions for further research. Word limit: 1600-2000 words
  • non-blocking Exam
    The final exam will take the form of a written test with multiple choice questions, true/false, fill-in-the-blanks, etc types of questions.
Interim Assessment

Interim Assessment

  • Interim assessment (2 module)
    0.25 * Class participation and discussion of mandatory readings + 0.5 * Exam + 0.25 * Literature review
Bibliography

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

  • Dobson, H. (2017). Is Japan Really Back? The “Abe Doctrine” and Global Governance. Journal of Contemporary Asia, 47(2), 199–224. https://doi.org/10.1080/00472336.2016.1257044
  • Weiss, T. G. . (DE-588)128725443, (DE-576)163517088. (2013). Global governance : why? what? whither? / Thomas G. Weiss. Cambridge [u.a.]: Polity. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edswao&AN=edswao.392470241

Recommended Additional Bibliography

  • Geun Lee. (2009). A theory of soft power and Korea’s soft power strategy. Korean Journal of Defense Analysis, 21(2), 205–218. https://doi.org/10.1080/10163270902913962
  • Hall, C. (Ian), & Smith, F. (2015). The Struggle for Soft Power in Asia: Public Diplomacy and Regional Competition. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsbas&AN=edsbas.B030386A
  • Otmazgin, N. (2012). Geopolitics and Soft Power: Japan’s Cultural Policy and Cultural Diplomacy in Asia. Asia-Pacific Review, 19(1), 37–61. https://doi.org/10.1080/13439006.2012.678629