Delivered at:: Faculty of World Economy and International Affairs

Course type:: Elective course

When:: 2 year, 1, 2 module

Instructor

Varpahovskis, Eriks

Full Syllabus

Abstract

Course Description East Asia is an important region that includes the second and the third largest economies in the world and has four countries in the G20. East Asian countries have achieved remarkable economic success in the post-war period but are facing many endogenous and exogenous challenges. Focusing on Japan, China, Taiwan, and South Korea, this course will examine the political, social, and economic pathways traveled by East Asian countries on their road to prosperity, democracy, and security. In this course, students will analyze comparatively the models of economic development, political changes, and social transformations pursued in these countries. Topics examined in this course include culture and values, war and colonialism, historical memory, the developmental state, development and politics in China, democratization in South Korea and Taiwan, social movements, economic crisis, nationalism, low fertility trap, precarious labor, and the East Asian welfare state.

Learning Objectives

describe historical and cultural context of East Asian countries
understand the success and challenges of economies within East Asia.
understand the variation of state-society relations within East Asia.
apply concepts and theories to analyze East Asian societies
think critically about the roles of history, culture, government and non-government actors in the society of East Asia.

Expected Learning Outcomes

In this course, students will analyze comparatively the models of economic development, political changes, and social transformations pursued in these countries. Topics examined in this course include culture and values, war and colonialism, historical memory, the developmental state, development and politics in China, democratization in South Korea and Taiwan, social movements, economic crisis, nationalism, low fertility trap, precarious labor, and the East Asian welfare state.

Course Contents

Week 1 (September 7): Introduction & Traditions and Culture
Week 2 (September 14): War and Colonialism in Asia
Week 3 (September 21): East Asian Model of Development: Japan
Week 4 (September 28): East Asian Model of Development: South Korea
Week 5 (October 5): East Asian Model of Development: China
Week 6 (October 12): Economic Crisis in East Asia
Week 7 (October 19): Democratic Transitions in Korea and Taiwan
Week 8 (October 26): Midterm Exam
Week 9 (November 2): Civil Society in East Asia: Japan
Week 10 (November 9): Civil Society in East Asia: South Korea
Week 11 (November 16): Civil Society in East Asia: China
Week 12 (November 23): Nationalism in East Asia
Week 13 (November 30): Precarious East Asia
Week 14 (December 7): Low Fertility Trap and Gender in East Asia
Week 15 (December 14): Welfare States in East Asia
Week 16: Final Exam

Assessment Elements

Mid-term exam (1 module)
For mid-term test student can collect up to 20% from final grade.
Attendance (1&2 modules)
Final exam
For final test student can collect up to 30% from final grade
Participation during in-class activities (1 module)
Participation during in-class activities (2module)

Interim Assessment

2023/2024 1st module
Final grade for both modules (100%): Participation in discussions (40%)+ Attendance (10%)+ Mid-term exam (20%)+ Final exam (30%)
2023/2024 2nd module
Final grade for both modules (100%): Participation in discussions (40%)+ Attendance (10%)+ Mid-term exam (20%)+ Final exam (30%)

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

Gordon, A. (2003). A Modern History of Japan : From Tokugawa Times to the Present. New York: Oxford University Press. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=120926
So Young Kim. (2010). Do Asian Values Exist? Empirical Tests of the Four Dimensions of Asian Values. Journal of East Asian Studies, 10(2), 315–344. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1598240800003477

Recommended Additional Bibliography

Pekkanen, R. (2004). After the Developmental State: Civil Society in Japan. Journal of East Asian Studies, 4(3), 363–388. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1598240800006019

Bachelor’s Programme 'HSE University and Kyung Hee University Double Degree Programme in Economics and Politics in Asia'

State and Society in East Asia