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Course Syllabus

Master 2020/2021

National Identity, Social and Political Development in Asia

Category 'Best Course for Broadening Horizons and Diversity of Knowledge and Skills'
Type: Compulsory course (Business and Politics in Modern Asia)
Area of studies: Asian and African Studies
Delivered by: Institute of Asian and African Studies
Where: Saint-Petersburg School of Social Sciences
When: 1 year, 1, 2 module
Mode of studies: distance learning
Instructors: Valentina Morozova, Vasilii Shchepkin, Ekaterina Starikova
Master’s programme: Business and Politics in Modern Asia
Language: English
ECTS credits: 5
Contact hours: 36

Course Syllabus

Full Syllabus

Abstract

The course will examine the problem of cultural identity of the countries of the region, the issues of typologization of East Asian identities, the civilizational specifics of countries and its impact on all aspects of social and political life, the main aspects of cultural and humanitarian interaction between countries and their place in global cross-cultural exchanges.
Learning Objectives

Learning Objectives

  • The aim of the discipline is to introduce students to a phenomenon of contemporary Asian societies (based on specific values, beliefs, traditions) and to provide students with basic theoretical and practical skills in analysis and conducting research in socio-political and socio-cultural spheres.
Expected Learning Outcomes

Expected Learning Outcomes

  • Work with information: find, evaluate, systematize and use information necessary for solving scientific and professional problems from various sources (on the basis of a systematic approach).
  • Communicate in English on professional topics, related to the sociocultural specifics of Asian countries.
  • Prepare scientific and analytical reports, reviews, presentations, information briefs and explanatory notes in their professional field, related to the sociocultural specifics of Asian countries.
  • Take into account the cultural specificity characteristic of the countries of the studied region in their practical and research activities.
  • Use the conceptual apparatus of scientific research, critically analyze the information.
  • Understand and analyze sociocultural problems and processes occurring in Asian societies.
Course Contents

Course Contents

  • Online course
    The discipline is implemented in a blended learning format. It includes online course as self-directed study. For topic № 10 is used MOOC - on-line course "Religions and Society in China", Coursera platform https://www.coursera.org/learn/religions-society-china#syllabus. Developer - National Research University Higher School of Economics (HSE).
  • Lecture 1. Introduction. National identity and its influence on sociopolitical development.
    Nationhood/ethnicity/civic identity/cultural identity. Approaches to defining identity politics. Discourses on cultural and national identities. National identity: the model of Shulman. Theoretical understandings of the relationship between experience, culture, identity, politics and power. ‘Asian values’ and human rights. Activities of INGOs in addressing the national identity problem. The relationship between identity and social movements in the context of globalization. Seminar 1. Chinese national identity and its implications for international relations.
  • Lecture 2. China's search for national identity: past, present and future.
    Chinese history of searching a cultural identity. The renaissance of western thought. The rising nationalist rhetoric and the attempts to create a collective Chinese identity. The evolution of national identity in the light of domestic and international situations. China’s peaceful rise and the evolution of its national identity. Prospective strategic approaches to strengthening China’s national identity. Seminar 2. Taiwan's identity in formation.
  • Lecture 3. Cultural identity and traditional cultural values: the case of China.
    Traditional Chinese culture and its relationship with China’s politics. The logic of “Chinese values” as a new civilization based on the interdependence of tradition and modernity. The coexistence of cultural narratives with diverse styles and multiple orientations in China as a striking feature of the current era (“cultural spaces” and “world of meanings”). Seminar 3. Confucianism contribution to resolving conflicts of cultural identities.
  • Lecture 4. China’s national identity in a globalized world.
    The self-identity of China (socialist country with Chinese characteristics, developing nation in the globalization era, potential responsible world power on the international arena). Modern infrastructural facilities – materialized national identity and modernization. ‘Go, China’ and ‘One World, One Dream’– new national identity and cultural modernization. Seminar 4. The rise of China’s national identity in the context of globalization.
  • Lecture 5: Cultural identity, religion and traditional cultural values: the case of Vietnam
    Vietnam as a part of Sinosphere. The Three Teachings in Vietnam. Ancestor Worship in Vietnam. Christianity in Vietnam. Vietnamese diaspora in USA and problem of identity construction. Seminar 5: Minorities and national identity in Vietnam
  • Lecture 6 ‘Children of the dragon and grandchildren of the fairy’: constructing identity in Vietnam
    Mythical ancient past and Hung Kings. Identity constructing policies in modern Vietnam. Modern Vietnamese nationalism. Seminar 6: Intangible cultural heritage of humanity in Vietnam and its’ place in constructing of identity.
  • Lecture 7. Emperor of Japan: history of cult and recent changes.
    Unification of Yamato/Japan in the 7th century and the status of Emperor (Tenno). Tenno and shoguns in medieval Japan. The movement for reverence of the Emperor in 18th-19th centuries. Formation of Japanese nation and the cult of the Emperor. Emperor and its status in postwar Japan. The case of Akihito tenno. Seminar 7. Religion and secularism in contemporary Japan.
  • Lecture 8. Russia and the West in Japanese identity.
    Perception of Russia and the West in early modern Japan. The formation of Japanese nation and the West. Racial debates in interbellum Japan. Russia/USSR in postwar Japan’s political discourse. Searching for the place for Japan in the global world. Seminar 8. Reflection of war and peace in contemporary Japan.
  • Lecture 9. Traditional family patterns and its influence in contemporary Japan.
    The formation of the ie (household) system in medieval Japan. Characteristics of the ie in early modern Japan. Reform of family registration in modern Japan. Transformations of family patterns in pre- and postwar Japan. Demographic situation in contemporary Japan and influence of traditional family patterns. Seminar 9. Ideas of Japan’s uniqueness: from kokugaku to nihonjinron.
Assessment Elements

Assessment Elements

  • non-blocking Presentation № 1
  • non-blocking Presentation №2
  • non-blocking Written exam
    The final exam will take the form of a written test with multiple choice questions, true/false, fill-in-the-blanks, etc types of questions.
  • non-blocking On-line test (MOOC)
    Students should complete the on-line course “Religions and Society in China” and pass the test. Link to the course https://www.coursera.org/learn/religions-society-china#syllabus.
Interim Assessment

Interim Assessment

  • Interim assessment (2 module)
    0.1 * On-line test (MOOC) + 0.2 * Presentation № 1 + 0.2 * Presentation №2 + 0.5 * Written exam
Bibliography

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

  • Chan Kwok Bun, & Dorais, L.-J. (1998). Family, Identity, and the Vietnamese Diaspora: The Quebec Experience. SOJOURN: Journal of Social Issues in Southeast Asia, 13(2), 285–308. https://doi.org/10.1355/SJ13-2F
  • Hamid, M. E. B. A. (2006). Understanding the Cham Identity in Mainland Southeast Asia: Contending Views. SOJOURN: Journal of Social Issues in Southeast Asia, 21(2), 230–253. https://doi.org/10.1355/sj21-2e
  • Pan, C. (2015). Understanding Chinese Identity in International Relations: A Critique of Western Approaches. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsbas&AN=edsbas.B31BB10D

Recommended Additional Bibliography

  • Nuyen, A. T. (2003). Confucianism, Globalisation and the Idea of Universalism. Asian Philosophy, 13(2/3), 75–86. https://doi.org/10.1080/0955236032000162727
  • Tamaki, T. (2019). Repackaging national identity: Cool Japan and the resilience of Japanese identity narratives. https://doi.org/10.1080/02185377.2019.1594323
  • Yu, F.-L. T., & Kwan, D. S. M. (2008). Social construction of national identity: Taiwanese versus Chinese consciousness. Social Identities, 14(1), 33–52. https://doi.org/10.1080/13504630701848515