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'
Type:
Compulsory course (Socioeconomic and Political Development of Modern Asia)
Area of studies:
Asian and African Studies
Delivered by:
School of Asian 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
- 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
- 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
- Teaching Method and Research Methodology. USSR Foreign Policy During the Cold War and AsiaHow 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 AsiaWhat explains Russian foreign policy in Asia? Apply a realist, liberal, or idealist analysis
- China’s ‘Peaceful Rise’ And Russian-Chinese RelationsHow 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 JapanHow 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 KoreasUse 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 ImpactWhy 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 RegionIs Russia an Asian / Pacific Power? How does Russia’s ‘pivot to Asia’ impact the region?
Assessment Elements
- Essay4,000 word essay
- Literature review1,000 word literature review
- Presentation of project15 minute presentation of project
Interim Assessment
- Interim assessment (1 module)0.6 * Essay + 0.2 * Literature review + 0.2 * Presentation of project
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