Prospectus

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SOSCI Seminar International Politics and Economy of East Asia

Course
2022-2023

Admission requirements

China Studies students: successful completion of the BA1 course Contemporary China A: Politics, Economics, and Society of Modern China. Japan Studies students: successful completion of the BA1 course Japan in the 21st Century: Sociological Perspectives

Description

Why are East Asian states establishing regional institutions and frameworks to manage their affairs? What are the historical foundations and core values that define this diverse and region? How can we explain and understand connections between states and sub-state actors at the sub-regional level? How do the processes of regionalization and globalization facilitate or hinder the development of regionalism? In this course, students challenge themselves and each other to critically investigate these and further questions related to the history, political economy, and security relations of East Asia from a variety of theoretical standpoints. By reviewing and critiquing specialized and complex secondary literature (journal articles and book chapters on East Asia and International Relations), writing and discussing web posts, and giving presentations and mutual feedback, students will develop and practice important transferable skills.

Course objectives

This module aims to provide a critical examination of key issues and processes related to the development of East Asian regionalism. The focus of this module is on developments since World War Two, but with a particular emphasis on the post-Cold War period. By the end of the module, students will be able to:

  • Demonstrate an understanding of the complex issues and processes related to the development of East Asian regionalism.

  • Apply conceptual tools to analyze key events and processes in the development of regionalism in East Asia.

  • Demonstrate appropriate cognitive, communicative and transferable skills, develop the capacity for independent learning, critique major texts on East Asian regionalism, and contribute to academic debates.

Timetable

The timetables are available through My Timetable.

Mode of instruction

Seminar

Assessment method

Assessment

  • Class assignments: regular web posts, presentations, discussions, skills development

  • Research element: research essay

Weighing

The final grade consists of the weighted average of the two course components:

  • Class assignments : 50%

  • Research element: 50%

The final grade is established by determining the weighted average of all elements. In order to pass the course, all elements must receive a passing grade (6 or higher).

Resit

A resit for the research element (research essay) is allowed if a student scores a non-passing grade (5,49 or lower) on the first attempt.

Inspection and feedback

How and when an exam review will take place will be disclosed together with the publication of the exam results at the latest. If a student requests a review within 30 days after publication of the exam results, an exam review will have to be organized.

Reading list

Core textbooks:

  • Beeson, Mark. 2014. Regionalism and Globalization in East Asia: Politics, Security and Economic Development. Palgrave Macmillan.

  • Dent, Christopher M. 2016. East Asian regionalism. Abingdon and New York: Routledge (available online via LU catalogue).
    A Course Handbook denoting further mandatory course readings will be posted on Brightspace before the start of the course. Additional information (powerpoints, useful websites, etc.) will also be found on Brightspace over the course of the semester (block).

Registration

Enrolment through My Studymap is mandatory.

Contact

  • For substantive questions, contact the lecturer listed in the right information bar.

  • For questions about enrolment, admission, etc, contact the Education Administration Office: Vrieshof

Remarks

Some prior knowledge of contemporary China/Japan/Korean would be nice