• A
  • A
  • A
  • ABC
  • ABC
  • ABC
  • А
  • А
  • А
  • А
  • А
Regular version of the site
Master 2020/2021

The Key Problems in Asian Studies Research

Category 'Best Course for Broadening Horizons and Diversity of Knowledge and Skills'
Category 'Best Course for New Knowledge and Skills'
Area of studies: Asian and African Studies
When: 1 year, 1 module
Mode of studies: offline
Master’s programme: Socioeconomic and Political Development of Modern Asia
Language: English
ECTS credits: 3
Contact hours: 42

Course Syllabus

Abstract

This course concentrates on the several important problems and issues of Asian Studies that are fundamental for the deeper understanding of classical and modern development of East Asia and focuses on the major theoretical and practical issues and problems in Asian Studies as a discipline. The role of theory, both broadly and narrowly understood, in the social sciences and in Asian Studies in particular, will be clarified and their application to specific issues explained. A comparative area studies approach to learning encourages a broader, contextual understanding of the modern Asian development
Learning Objectives

Learning Objectives

  • We will concentrate in several key issues that will be the capstone of understanding of cultural and social development of Asia: The new methodology of comparative approaches to the level of socio-economic development of East Asia. We will focus on significant cultural factors which played an enormous role in the great divergence Europe from Asia. The key problems of transformation of modern East Asian society including the anthropology of civilization, modernity and the state.
Expected Learning Outcomes

Expected Learning Outcomes

  • By the end of the course the students are expected to be able to undertake a substantial research project through which to demonstrate their research and analytical skills and how well they can apply a given theoretical understanding and methodology to a set problem.
  • By the end of the course the students are expected to be able to undertake a substantial research project through which to demonstrate their research and analytical skills and how well they can apply a given theoretical understanding and methodology to a set problem.
Course Contents

Course Contents

  • Teaching Method and Research Methodology. USSR Foreign Policy During the Cold War and Asia
    How can we interpret cooperation and competition in Asia from a realist, liberal and idealist perspective? How do we explain Asia from socio-economic and political perspectives?
  • Russian Foreign Policy after the Cold War and Asia
    What explains Russian foreign policy in Asia? Apply a realist, liberal, or idealist analysis
  • China’s ‘Peaceful Rise’ And Russian-Chinese Relations
    How can we explain the political economy of China? What is the future of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and its Influence upon Russian-Chinese Relations?
  • Russia’s Relations with India and Japan
    How can we explain the foreign policy interests of India and Japan? Are India and japan ‘Great Powers’? What does nuclear weapons impact the region?
  • Deterrence and Compliance in Korean Peninsular: North and South Koreas
    Use a comparative approach to assess whether deterrence in Korean Peninsular creates stability or instigates a security dilemma
  • China-USA-Taiwan ‘Triangle’ Relations and Russia’s Impact
    Why are Asian powers risking war for a few ‘rocks’ in the Sea? Are the territorial conflicts about nationalism, energy politics, transportation corridor, military security? Does Asia lack regional institutions?
  • Russia and International Economic and Security Institutions in Asia-Pacific Region
    Is Russia an Asian / Pacific Power? How does Russia’s ‘pivot to Asia’ impact the region?
Assessment Elements

Assessment Elements

  • non-blocking Essay
    4,000 word essay
  • non-blocking Literature review
    1,000 word literature review
  • non-blocking Presentation of project
    15 minute presentation of project
Interim Assessment

Interim Assessment

  • Interim assessment (1 module)
    0.6 * Essay + 0.2 * Literature review + 0.2 * Presentation of project
Bibliography

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

  • Chang, K., & Lee, C. (2018). North Korea and the East Asian Security order: competing views on what South Korea ought to do. Pacific Review, 31(2), 245–255. https://doi.org/10.1080/09512748.2017.1397733
  • DE GRAAFF, N., & VAN APELDOORN, B. (2018). US——China relations and the liberal world order: contending elites, colliding visions? International Affairs, 94(1), 113–131. https://doi.org/10.1093/ia/iix232
  • Fatton, L. P. V. (DE-588)118975780X, (DE-627)1668455188, aut. (2019). A new spear in Asia why is Japan moving toward autonomous defense? Lionel P Fatton. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edswao&AN=edswao.1668463512
  • Ganguly, S. (2017). Has Modi Truly Changed India’s Foreign Policy? Washington Quarterly, 40(2), 131. https://doi.org/10.1080/0163660X.2017.1328929
  • Gries, P. H., Steiger, D., & Wang, T. (2016). Popular Nationalism and China’s Japan Policy: the Diaoyu Islands protests, 2012–2013. Journal of Contemporary China, 25(98), 264–276. https://doi.org/10.1080/10670564.2015.1075714
  • Heiduk, F. (DE-588)128934824, (DE-576)188855157. (2015). Seas of trouble [Elektronische Ressource] : enduring territorial conflicts in East and Southeast Asia / Felix Heiduk; Michael Paul. Translation by Deborah Anne Bowen. Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik.
  • Lee, S. (2016). Time to start worrying again? [Elektronische Ressource] : Cross-strait stability after the 2016 Taiwanese elections / Sheryn Lee & Ben Schreer. Australian Strategic Policy Institute.
  • Silove, N. (2016). The Pivot before the Pivot. International Security, 40(4), 45–88. https://doi.org/10.1162/ISEC_a_00238

Recommended Additional Bibliography

  • Kashin, V. V. (DE-588)1185214046, (DE-627)1664568131, aut. (2019). Sino-Russian relations perspectives from Russia, China, and Japan by Vasily Kashin, Ma Bin, Yuki Tatsumi, and Zhang Jian ; the National Bureau of Asian Research. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edswao&AN=edswao.1678670421
  • Ku, Y. V. (DE-588)1150994398, (DE-627)1011214520, (DE-576)49735862X, aut. (2018). Politics in North and South Korea political development, economy, and foreign relations Yangmo Ku, Inyeop Lee, and Jongseok Woo.
  • Schreer, B. (2017). The Double-Edged Sword of Coercion: Cross-Strait Relations After the 2016 Taiwan Elections. Asian Politics & Policy, 9(1), 50–65. https://doi.org/10.1111/aspp.12290
  • Schweller, R. (2018). Opposite but Compatible Nationalisms: A Neoclassical Realist Approach to the Future of US–China Relations. Chinese Journal of International Politics, 11(1), 23–48. https://doi.org/10.1093/cjip/poy003