Theory in Asian and International Studies

Master 2018/2019

Type: Compulsory course (Socioeconomic and Political Development of Modern Asia)

Area of studies: Asian and African Studies

Delivered by: School of Asian Studies

Where: Faculty of World Economy and International Affairs

When: 2 year, 1 module

Mode of studies: offline

Instructors: Alexandra Sizova

Master’s programme: Socioeconomic and Political Development of Modern Asia

Language: English

ECTS credits: 3

Contact hours: 42

Full Syllabus

Abstract

The pre-requisites for participating at the seminar include essential knowledge of the main aspects of world history, history of international relations, geography as well as research methodology. It is desirable that the students have background training in Asian studies. Participation in the seminars requires sufficient competence in using principles and methods of social studies required at the Bachelor level. In the content respect, the course is closely linked with other courses within the curriculum of the Master’s program “Socioeconomic and Political Development of Modern Asia” (courses on history, comparative politics, security, economics, etc.), which determines its harmonious integration in the curriculum. The interdisciplinary nature of the course presupposes that students shall frequently resort to the knowledge and skills obtained during their study at the MA program.

Learning Objectives

This course is aimed at the equipping students majoring in Asian studies with a comprehensive understanding of classical and currently forming theoretical approaches as well as some of the main theoretical debates over issues that span the fields of International Relations and Asian studies. The course addresses the role of theoretical knowledge in the social studies and humanities, and surveys major social science research programs such as rational choice and historical institutionalism. Additionally, the students will examine the major paradigms and theoretical approaches to the study of international relations and area studies (Realism, Liberalism, International Political Economy, Social Constructivism, International Society and non-western approaches) and exercise in analyzing the theoretical and empirical advantages and disadvantages of these approaches.

Expected Learning Outcomes

Recognises and critically assess various theoretical paradigms in International Relations . Comparative Politics and area studies
Uses the key terms and concepts related to the examined theoretical approaches and research programs
Explains the logic of major theories of International Relations and Comparative Politics analyzing and illustrating them with empirical examples of Asian countries’ development
Identifies and explain the cutting-edge trends and theoretical shifts in international and Asian studies
To adequately use the mentioned theories and approaches as well as methodological instruments of the contemporary social science in analyzing real-world events in Asian world
Works with literature and different types of information resources, to locate, analyse, evaluate, synthesise information on conflict-related issues from a wide variety of sources
Distinguishes between incoherent explanation and well-grounded argumentation
Works in group on theoretical and practical problems linked to Asian and International Relations studies, to critically assess own work and work of the other participants of the course

Course Contents

Asia as a Region and Space of International Interactions. New Trends in International Relations in Asia
The Role of Theory in Social-Scientific Inquiry. The Significance of Theory in International Relations And Area Studies
Rational Choice Theory in Contemporary International Relations and Area Studies
Institutional Perspective: The Institutional Approach in IR, Comparative Politics and Regional Studies
Realism and Neorealism in Political Science
Liberal tradition in IR and Asian Studies (Classical Liberalism, Neoliberalism, Neoliberal Institutionalism)
Constructivism in International Political Studies
The Basics of International Political Economy
Non-Western Approaches to International Relations, World Politics and Asian Studies

Assessment Elements

Contribution to the seminar discussions
Group project /tutorial presentation
Final examination (written)

Interim Assessment

Interim assessment (1 module)
0.3 * Contribution to the seminar discussions + 0.4 * Final examination (written) + 0.3 * Group project /tutorial presentation

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

Donnelly, J. (DE-588)136102336, (DE-576)163781990. (2000). Realism and international relations / Jack Donnelly. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edswao&AN=edswao.087345803
Dowding, K. (2005). Is it Rational to Vote? Five Types of Answer and a Suggestion. British Journal of Politics & International Relations, 7(3), 442–459. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-856X.2005.00188.x
Emilian Kavalski. (2012). Book Review: Handbook of Politics: State and Society in a Global Perspective By Kevin T. Leicht and J. Craig Jenkins (eds). Journal of Global Analysis, (1), 98. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsdoj&AN=edsdoj.8bafc17d304a40a693c76731be87289c
Eriksson, L. (2011). Rational Choice Theory : Potential and Limits. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=1525124
Evans, P. (2004). Development as Institutional Change: The Pitfalls of Monocropping and the Potentials of Deliberation. Studies in Comparative International Development, 38(4), 30–52. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02686327
Grieco, J. M. (1988). Anarchy and the limits of cooperation: a realist critique of the newest liberal institutionalism. International Organization, 42(3), 485–507. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0020818300027715
Jackson, R. H. . (DE-588)123370760, (DE-576)293679878. (2010). Introduction to international relations : theories and approaches / Robert Jackson; Georg Sørensen. Oxford: Oxford Univ. Press. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edswao&AN=edswao.312277741
Kaufman, J. P. (2013). Introduction to International Relations : Theory and Practice. Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=564222
King, G. (DE-588)135604311, (DE-576)166299405. (1994). Designing social inquiry : scientific inference in qualitative research / Gary King; Robert O. Keohane; Sidney Verba. Princeton, NJ: Princeton Univ. Press. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edswao&AN=edswao.039730549
Klieman, A. S. (2015). Great Powers and Geopolitics : International Affairs in a Rebalancing World. Cham: Springer. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=975365
Pardo, R. P. (2015). The Oxford handbook of the international relations of Asia. Edited by Saadia M. Pekkanen, John Ravenhill and Rosemary Foot. International Affairs, 91(2), 442–443. https://doi.org/10.1111/1468-2346.12270
Przeworski, A. (2004). Institutions Matter? Government & Opposition, 39(4), 527–540. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1477-7053.2004.00134.x
RIPE Book Series in Global Political Economy. (2002). Routledge. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsnar&AN=edsnar.oai.dare.uva.nl.publications.40cba2b3.b036.44bb.8c88.db672f21b439
Rosenau, J. N., & Durfee, M. (2000). Thinking Theory Thoroughly : Coherent Approaches To An Incoherent World (Vol. 2nd ed). Boulder, Colo: Routledge. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=538816
Shambaugh, D. L., & Yahuda, M. B. (2014). International Relations of Asia (Vol. Second edition). Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=726076
Thelen, K. (1999). Historical Institutionalism in Comparative Politics. Annual Review of Political Science, 2(1), 369. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.polisci.2.1.369
Theory of international politics / Kenneth N. Waltz. (2010). Long Grove, Ill.: Waveland Press. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edswao&AN=edswao.322626552
Wallerstein, I. M. (2004). World-Systems Analysis : An Introduction. Durham: Duke University Press Books. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=682046
Waltz, K. N. (2000). Structural Realism after the Cold War. International Security, 25(1), 5–41. https://doi.org/10.1162/016228800560372
Wendt, A. (1992). Anarchy is what states make of it: the social construction of power politics. International Organization, (02), 391. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsrep&AN=edsrep.a.cup.intorg.v46y1992i02p391.425.02

Recommended Additional Bibliography

Controversies in international relations theory : realism and the neoliberal challenge / Charles W. Kegley. (1995). New York: St. Martin’s Pr. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edswao&AN=edswao.04206273X
Хрестоматия по истории экономической мысли. Вып.X: Марксистская политическая экономия, , 2000

Course Syllabus