Course - Comparative and International Politics in China and East-Asia - POL3515
Comparative and International Politics in China and East-Asia
About
About the course
Course content
The course focuses on East Asia after 1989. The post-Cold War period in East Asia has been shaped, on the one hand, by the different dynamics in the region, especially the economic and political rise of China and the complex relationships between China, Japan, and North- and South Korea. On the other hand, global events, developments and political decisions in other parts of the world have also influenced the region, e.g. the war on terror after 9/11, the US administration’s pivot to Asia, the global financial crisis, the Covid-19 pandemic and Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and its repercussions on energy markets and the global order. In the first part of the seminar, we will take the perspective of Comparative Politics and study the political systems and societies of East Asia and, based on this, the countries’ outlook on the big questions of international relations in East Asia and beyond. In the second part, we will take the angle of international relations and analyse the different bilateral or multilateral constellations, problems and geopolitical conflict potentials in the region, and the relations of the East Asian countries with other countries and regions of the world. Through various case studies, we will also review key concepts, such as institutions, nationalism, the developmental state, regionalism, rule-taking and rule-making, as well as theories and methods of Comparative Politics and International Relations.
Learning outcome
Knowledge - the student shall:
- have knowledge of how theory and empirical data are tied together in political science research work in the field of East-Asia and comparative and international politics
Skills - the student shall demonstrate the ability to:
- treat a research question related to the themes discussed in the seminar in an independent empirical analytical manner which fulfills the requirements for academic writing
- be able to orally discuss and reflect over one's own written work and the themes which were taken up in the seminar
Learning methods and activities
Lectures and seminars equivalent to four hours per week. The language of instruction is English. If 6 or fewer students attend the course the two first weeks of teaching, the course will be offered as an individual study course with supervision.
Supervised writing of a term paper on a topic of the student’s choice related to the topics covered in the course. Active participation in classroom discussions is expected.
Compulsory assignments:
- 80% attendance (obligatory for the first lecture and the four presentations)
- Four 15-minute presentations (one book presentation, one presentation of the term paper and two presentations on topics specified at the beginning of the semester).
Compulsory assignments
- Minimum 80% attendance
- Four 15-minute presentations
Further on evaluation
Form of assessment: Term paper and oral examination. Length of term paper: 6000-8000 words. The oral exam contains questions from both the term paper and the rest of the pensum. The oral exam will be used to adjust the term paper's grade by a maximum of one grade. Both the term paper and the oral exam must be retaken at a repeat of the exam.
Recommended previous knowledge
See required previous knowledge.
Required previous knowledge
60 credits including SOS1002 or an equivalent course in research methods. The requirement must be fulfilled to be admitted to the course.
Course materials
Given at the start of the semester
Credit reductions
Course code | Reduction | From |
---|---|---|
POL8515 | 10 sp | Autumn 2024 |
Subject areas
- Social Studies
- Social Sciences
- Political Science