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International Relations in Northeast Asia - POLS3057
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Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
 
 
School:  School of Social Sciences and International Studies
 
 
Course Outline: http://www.arts.unsw.edu.au/politics/
 
 
Campus: Kensington Campus
 
 
Career: Undergraduate
 
 
Units of Credit: 6
 
 
EFTSL: 0.125 (more info)
 
 
Contact Hours per Week: 3
 
 
Enrolment Requirements:
 
 
Prerequisite: 12 units of credit at the POLS2000 level
 
 
Fee Band: 1 (more info)
 
 
Further Information: See Class Timetable
 
 

Description

Examines the interactions of the four major powers (China, Japan, US and Russia) in Northeast Asia in the post-Cold War era, and brings in the perspectives of two middle powers (Australia and Korea). The first section analyses the theoretical and cultural foundations for major power interaction, the second looks at important bilateral relations between these major powers, and the third focuses on the issues with which they have to deal. Topics to be covered are the clash of civilisations and ideologies; the security environment in the region; the chief actors' perceptions of the linkage between economic security and national interests; arms build-up, and regional flash points such as the disputes between the People's Republic of China and Taiwan.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the course, students should be able to:
  • Describe the clash of national interests and ideologies among the major powers covered by the course
  • Reconstruct the regional security environment
  • Establish the linkage between the economic security and national interests
  • Understand the driver for each power to consolidate its leading status and how
  • Analyse the key bilateral relations among major powers and the underlining factors of cooperation and contention
  • Assess the trend of arms build-up in the region and its consequences
  • Decipher the causes of conflicts that underpin the potential flashing spots, e.g. the PRC-Taiwan disputes and North Korea's nuclear crisis.

Assessment

  • Seminar participation - 10%
  • Essay (3000 words) - 60%
  • Class test - 30%

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