Russia in East Asia: New Opportunities and Challenges in the XXIst Century

2024/2025

Academic Year

ENG

Instruction in English

3

ECTS credits

Delivered at:

Faculty of World Economy and International Affairs

Course type:

Elective course

When:

4 year, 1, 2 module

Instructor

Васильев Дмитрий Владимирович

Course Syllabus

Abstract

The course “Russia in East Asia: New Opportunities and Challenges in the XXI Century” reveals the meaning, significance and difficulties of Russia's Pivot to Asia as a natural process of increasing activity both in the Russian Far East and in Asia-Pacific region as a whole. The course contains an analysis of the existing relations between Russia and states of this region. The course examines the key issues of modern history, economy and culture of East Asian countries, shows their specifics, highlights the evolution of Russia's international relations with these countries, and analyzes the contradictions and obstacles encountered along the way. The main focus is on political relations, economic cooperation and cultural interaction between Russia and the leading East Asian countries - China, Japan and the Republic of Korea. Also, attention is paid to the analysis of interaction and prospects for the development of cooperation with the ASEAN countries, as well as with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. One of the most important areas of research within this course is the rapid change in the balance of trade and economic activities between Russia and countries that are supporting the sanctions, and countries that have sharply increased trade with Russia - primarily China.The course is aimed at studying the institutional systems of East Asian countries and comparing them with Russian realities in order to more accurately determine the points of intersection of mutual interests, opportunities, as well as assess the challenges, origins of conflicts and disagreements on a number of issues. At the same time, the course examines a number of aspects of Russian participation in international regional organizations and forums. The course demonstrates the existing possibilities for a serious strengthening of Russia's positions in the Asia-Pacific region due to more active involvement in the international division of labor and increased cooperation with countries of the region that is becoming a powerful political and economic pole.Pre-requisitesTo pass the course, students must first successfully master the following courses:· Introduction to Economics;· Introduction to International Relations;· World History and History of International Relations;· New History of East Asia.

Learning Objectives

• • to develop students' skills in using institutional analysis when comparing the social structure of Russia and the countries of Asia-Pacific, as well as when comparing Russian and East Asian approaches to solving the most important political and economic problems;
• • to acquaint students with the history of formation and the main stages in the development of relations between Russia and the states of East Asia;
• • to form in students a comprehensive understanding of the current state of international relations of Russia in Asia-Pacific, as well as the prospects for their development and problems that complicate mutually beneficial cooperation;
• • to train students to conduct an academic analysis of the activities of international organizations uniting Russia and the countries of East Asia on the way to solving the most pressing problems of the region;
• • to develop an understanding of the broad opportunities that the Pivot to Asia offers Russia, as well as a clear awareness of the obstacles that stand in this way;
• • to initiate a systematic and holistic view on the basic theoretical approaches to international relations in the region.

Expected Learning Outcomes

• In the process of passing this course, it is planned to develop the following skills among students: In the process of passing this course, it is planned to develop the following skills among students:
• • to identify the internal cause-and-effect relationship of externally disparate social and political events, isolating the essence of the events taking place;
• • to be able to systematize the historical experience of reform in the countries under consideration;
• • the ability to work in a team, build competent communication during discussions and presentations;
• • to prepare and correctly execute written works.
• Also, as a result of successful completion of the course, it is assumed that students will be able: Also, as a result of successful completion of the course, it is assumed that students will be able:
• • to prove the importance of the institutions formed over the years in modern politics, economy and public life, as well as to highlight the main features of the specific institutional systems of the countries of East Asia;
• • to compare the East Asian state and social systems with the Russian political and social structure, to analyze the reasons for the obvious significant differences, both in the way of economic thinking and in approaches to solving economic issues in Russia and the countries of East Asia;
• • to compare the East Asian state and social systems with the Russian political and social structure, to analyze the reasons for the obvious significant differences, both in the way of economic thinking and in approaches to solving economic issues in Russia and the countries of East Asia
• • to formulate the developed approaches to solving the most important international problems of the region.
• • to reveal the meaning of the creation and participation of Russia in large international organizations linking the countries of Asia-Pacific;
• To be able to offer, systematize and interpret meaningful empirical data from information flows.
• To be able to establish cause-and-effect relationships, characterize and evaluate socio-political and socio-economic events and processes, identifying their connection with economic, social and cultural-civilizational contexts.
• To be capable of generating digests and analytical materials for publication in scientific journals and the media.
• To be able to draw up and execute documents and reports on the results of professional activities.
• To be able to substantiate the connection between the situation in East Asia and Russian foreign policy
• To be able to work in a team.
• to be able to offer, systematize and interpret meaningful empirical data from information flows
• to be able to establish cause-and-effect relationships, characterize and evaluate socio-political and socio-economic events and processes, identifying their connection with economic, social and cultural-civilizational contexts
• to be capable of generating digests and analytical materials for publication in scientific journals and the media
• to be able to draw up and execute documents and reports on the results of professional activities
• to be able to substantiate the connection between the situation in East Asia and Russian foreign policy
• to be able to work in a team

Course Contents

• Introduction. Overview of the course. Asia-Pacific region and its specificity
• WEEK 2. Russia and the Korean Peninsula. The external professor’s lecture.
• WEEK 3. Russia and the Korean Peninsula. The external professor’s lecture
• WEEK 4. Russia and the Korean Peninsula. The external professor’s lecture
• WEEK 5. Russia and the Korean Peninsula. Russian-North Korean relations. Nuclear problem
• WEEK 6. Russia and the Korean Peninsula. Russian-South Korean relations
• WEEK 7. Midterm Exam.
• WEEK 8. Russia and China are joining forces in the international arena
• WEEK 9. Russia and China. The external professor’s lecture
• WEEK 10. Russia and China. The external professor’s lecture
• WEEK 11. Russia and China. The China’s Global Initiatives
• WEEK 12. Russia and Japan. The Problem of Southern Kurils
• WEEK 13. Russia and Japan. The external professor’s lecture
• WEEK 14. Russia and Japan. The external professor’s lecture
• WEEK 15. Final exam

Assessment Elements

• ATTENDANCE
  The grade will be based on attendance during the lectures/seminars. Attendance in class is basic and mandatory.
• Participation
  All students should actively participate in discussions. Students should be prepared for classes and be ready to provide information/feedback or answer the questions on the subject.
• Analytical paper
  Students must demonstrate an understanding of the regional context, the ability to analyze current relations between Russia and East Asian countries, and propose constructive solutions to existing issues.
• Test
  The test for the Russia in East Asia course will be evaluated based on your ability to accurately understand the approaches of the East Asian countries, taking into account your previous political and economic background and demonstrating a comprehensive grasp of the course material covered thus far. Your answers should be clear, concise, and precise, effectively communicating your understanding of the regional features.
• Final Exam
  The final exam takes place orally. The procedure is as follows. The student is asked to answer one of the 10 questions, a list of which is attached. What kind of question the student will get is determined randomly and is not known to the student in advance. The student is asked to draw a note with the number of the examination question. Time to prepare an answer is no more than 15 minutes, response time is no more than 10 minutes.

Interim Assessment

• 2024/2025 2nd module
  0.07 * ATTENDANCE + 0.08 * ATTENDANCE + 0.14 * Analytical paper + 0.16 * Analytical paper + 0.2 * Final Exam + 0.08 * Participation + 0.07 * Participation + 0.2 * Test

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

• Lo, B. V. (DE-588)136778704, (DE-627)587246081, (DE-576)182102718, aut. (2019). Once more with feeling Russia and the Asia-Pacific Bobo Lo, Lowy Institute.

Recommended Additional Bibliography

• Blakkisrud, H. (2017). Russia’s turn to the East: The Ministry for the Development of the Far East, and the domestic dimension.
• Cordesman, A. H. . V. (DE-588)132834979, (DE-627)527714593, (DE-576)160622204, aut. (2018). The Korean civil-military balance Anthony H. Cordesman with the assistance of Nick Harrington ; Burke Chair in Strategy.
• Cordesman, A. H. . V. (DE-588)132834979, (DE-627)527714593, (DE-576)160622204, aut. (2019). China and the U.S.: cooperation, competition and/or conflict an experimental assessment : full report Anthony H. Cordesman (Arleigh A. Burke Chair in Strategy), with the assistance of Max Molot.
• Dibb, P. V. (DE-588)141669659, (DE-627)704037564, (DE-576)160727553, aut. (2019). How the geopolitical partnership between China and Russia threatens the West Paul Dibb ; ASPI, Australian Strategic Policy Institute.
• Lubina, M. V. (DE-588)1143872649, (DE-627)1003433197, (DE-576)495199478, aut. (2017). Russia and China a political marriage of convenience – stable and successful Michał Lubina.
• North, D. C. (1990). Institutions, Institutional Change and Economic Performance. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=510978
• Stronski, P. V. (DE-588)1139397028, (DE-576)350614059, aut. (2018). Cooperation and competition : Russia and China in Central Asia, the Russian Far East, and the Arctic / Paul Stronski and Nicole Ng ; Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
• The Korean pivot : the study of South Korea as a global power / editors Dr. Victor Cha, Marie Dumond ; CSIS, Center for Strategic & International Studies. (2017).
• Trenin, D. V. . (DE-588)114738327, (DE-576)175880190. (2015). From Greater Europe to Greater Asia? [Elektronische Ressource] : The Sino-Russian entente / Dmitri Trenin. Moscow: Carnegie Moscow Center. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edswao&AN=edswao.448993783

Authors

• Большова Екатерина Владимировна
• Базарова Евгения Сергеевна