Bachelor
2023/2024
East Asian International Relations
Type:
Elective course (HSE University and Kyung Hee University Double Degree Programme in Economics and Politics in Asia)
Area of studies:
Foreign Regional Studies
Delivered by:
Faculty of World Economy and International Affairs
When:
2 year, 1, 2 module
Mode of studies:
offline
Open to:
students of one campus
Instructors:
Рамич Мирзет Сафетович,
Журавлева Евгения Владимировна,
Ekaterina Vaseneva
Language:
English
ECTS credits:
4
Contact hours:
60
Course Syllabus
Abstract
Course Description
This is a required course for Politics and Economics in Asia, the HSE-KIC double degree program. Course volume is 4 credits.
This course examines contemporary developments in international relations in East Asia. With four great powers, three nuclear weapons states, and two of the world’s largest economies, East Asia is one of the most dynamic and consequential regions in world politics. In the post-Cold War era, the region has been an engine of the global economy while undergoing a major shift in the balance power whose trajectory and outcome remain uncertain. This course will examine the sources of conflicts and cooperation in East Asia, assessing competing explanations for key events in East Asia’s international relations.
The course is divided into two parts. The first part of the course (Module I) focuses on developing a general “toolkit” that we will further use to explain the dynamic and complexity of East Asian politics. We will critically engage with the major IR theories and debates. In the second part (Module II), the focus shifts to historical and contemporary patterns of relations among East Asian nations, including conflicts and historical memory related to them, security alliances in East Asia, China’s rise, regional nuclear and missile diplomacy, territorial disputes, regional multilateral institutions, energy security, soft and smart power etc.
For this course, East Asia is defined as the region encompassing China, Japan, Republic of Korea, Democratic People's Republic of Korea and Mongolia. We will also discuss the role of the United States and Russia in the region since both countries have been extensively involved in the region.
Prerequisites
HSE students wishing to enroll in East Asian International Relations must also take the following courses: Russian History and Russia in World History, Introduction to Political Science, Introduction to International Relations, and Modern History of East Asia. Please also consider taking Comparative Area Studies before enrolling in this course.
Learning Objectives
- Upon completion of this course, students should be able to understand the historical legacies in East Asian international relations, analyze current East Asian foreign affairs through a theoretical lens, explain the impact of transnational issues on East Asian international relations, and evaluate the foreign policies of China, Japan, Republic of Korea, Democratic People's Republic of Korea and Mongolia. Students will also learn to collect, analyze, compare and report research clearly, concisely, logically, and ethically via different mediums, including discussions, posters, and oral presentations.
Expected Learning Outcomes
- Explain and interpret the key events that have shaped contemporary East Asian politics;
- Identify and critically analyze the key factors and stakeholders that have shaped relations between the countries of the region in the 21st century;
- Effectively compare foreign policies of China, Japan, Republic of Korea, Democratic People's Republic of Korea and Mongolia;
- Assess relative strengths and weaknesses of IR theories and approaches as they pertain to East Asia;
- Be able to analyze world politics from a variety of perspectives;
- Be able to apply IR theories to case studies in East Asia;
- Classify, compare and check media reporting on international issues;
- Plan, design and create a research project, presentation;
- Work collaboratively with classmates and reach consensus in decision making;
- Develop clear objectives for their presentation;
- Consider ways of grabbing the listener's attention, holding their interest, and concluding strongly;
- Use slides and visual aids effectively;
- Delivering an enthusiastic and well-practiced presentation;
- Argue and prove their point.
Course Contents
- Part 1. Introduction Topic 1.1 What is East Asia?
- Part 2. The major IR theories Topic 2.1 The “neo-neo debates” in IR
- Topic 2.2 Constructivist approaches to IR
- Topic 2.3 Critical IR theories: Dependency theory, Post-colonialism, Feminism
- Part 3. Non-Western IR. Topic 3.1 What is Non-western IR theory? China as a new IR theory trendsetter. The major Chinese IR schools.
- Topic 3.2 Korean, Japanese and Mongolian IR theories.
- Part 4. Research workshop & discussion of group projects
- Part 5. Case Study Topic 5.1 Russia and East Asia
- Topic 5.2 Chinese foreign policy
- Topic 5.3 South Korean foreign policy
- Topic 5.4. DPRK foreign policy and its role in Eastern Asia
- Topic 5.5 Japanese foreign policy
- Topic 5.6 Mongolian foreign policy
- Topic 5.7 Security & economic alliances
- Part 6. PRESENTATIONS & DISCUSSION OF GROUP PROJECTS
Assessment Elements
- Participation during in-class activities
- Media scan
- Research workshop and discussion of group projects (participation and in-class activities)
- Mid-term exam
- Final project: Paper
- Final project: Poster presentations
- Final exam
Interim Assessment
- 2023/2024 1st module0.26 * Media scan + 0.4 * Mid-term exam + 0.24 * Participation during in-class activities + 0.1 * Research workshop and discussion of group projects (participation and in-class activities)
- 2023/2024 2nd module0.4 * Final exam + 0.2 * Final project: Paper + 0.12 * Final project: Poster presentations + 0.28 * Participation during in-class activities
Bibliography
Recommended Core Bibliography
- Acharya, A., & Buzan, B. (2007). Why is there no non-Western international relations theory? An introduction. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsbas&AN=edsbas.712B98E3
- KACZMARSKI, M. (2017). Non-western visions of regionalism: China’s New Silk Road and Russia’s Eurasian Economic Union. International Affairs, 93(6), 1357–1376. https://doi.org/10.1093/ia/iix182
- Krickovic, A. (2017). The Symbiotic China-Russia Partnership: Cautious Riser and Desperate Challenger. Chinese Journal of International Politics, 10(3), 299–329. https://doi.org/10.1093/cjip/pox011
- Wendt, A. (1992). Anarchy is what states make of it: The social construction of power politics. International Organization, 46(2), 391. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0020818300027764
Recommended Additional Bibliography
- Внешнеполитический процесс на Востоке : учебное пособие / под редакцией Д. В. Стрельцова. — Москва : Аспект Пресс, 2018. — 352 с. — ISBN 978-5-7567-0950-6. — Текст : электронный // Лань : электронно-библиотечная система. — URL: https://e.lanbook.com/book/169648 (дата обращения: 00.00.0000). — Режим доступа: для авториз. пользователей.