Universität Wien

150053 SE 'FOCUS International Relations': SE International Relations in East Asia (2017S)

8.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 15 - Ostasienwissenschaften
Continuous assessment of course work

This seminar will focus on current international relations, conflicts and cooperation in East Asia. A major research interest are the effects of the Sino-US relations on the regional order and multilateral security mechanisms in East Asia. The majority of them has been established by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), e.g. ASEAN Regional Forum, East Asian Summit and ASEAN plus three. Special emphasis will be given to the conflict in the South China Sea. Other key topics will be the strategic and security-related effects of China's rise in East Asia, the threat of terrorism and other non-traditional security threats such as climate change or migration.
Moodle

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).

Details

max. 25 participants
Language: English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

  • Tuesday 07.03. 16:45 - 18:15 Seminarraum Ostasienwissenschaften 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2I-O1-05
  • Tuesday 14.03. 16:45 - 18:15 Seminarraum Ostasienwissenschaften 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2I-O1-05
  • Tuesday 21.03. 16:45 - 18:15 Seminarraum Ostasienwissenschaften 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2I-O1-05
  • Tuesday 28.03. 16:45 - 18:15 Seminarraum Ostasienwissenschaften 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2I-O1-05
  • Tuesday 04.04. 16:45 - 18:15 Seminarraum Ostasienwissenschaften 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2I-O1-05
  • Tuesday 25.04. 16:45 - 18:15 Seminarraum Ostasienwissenschaften 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2I-O1-05
  • Tuesday 02.05. 16:45 - 18:15 Seminarraum Ostasienwissenschaften 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2I-O1-05
  • Tuesday 09.05. 16:45 - 18:15 Seminarraum Ostasienwissenschaften 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2I-O1-05
  • Tuesday 16.05. 16:45 - 18:15 Seminarraum Ostasienwissenschaften 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2I-O1-05
  • Tuesday 23.05. 16:45 - 18:15 Seminarraum Ostasienwissenschaften 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2I-O1-05
  • Tuesday 30.05. 16:45 - 18:15 Seminarraum Ostasienwissenschaften 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2I-O1-05
  • Tuesday 13.06. 16:45 - 18:15 Seminarraum Ostasienwissenschaften 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2I-O1-05
  • Tuesday 20.06. 16:45 - 18:15 Seminarraum Ostasienwissenschaften 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2I-O1-05
  • Tuesday 27.06. 16:45 - 18:15 Seminarraum Ostasienwissenschaften 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2I-O1-05

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

In the first five units, the lecturer will present the main theoretical International Relations (IR) approaches, i.e. Realism and Neorealism, Liberalism and Neoliberalism as well as Constructivism and Human Security. In addition, students will critically discuss key texts about these approaches, their theoretical and methodical benefits and shortcomings. In the first weeks, we will also discuss various methods for analyzing the concrete case studies.

From week 4 on, students will apply above mentioned theories to examine the political-security and political-economic situation in Northeast and Southeast Asia, using case studies, e.g. the conflicts in the South China Sea, the crisis on the Korean peninsula, the Asian Financial Crisis (AFC) 1997/98, the regional effects of China's rise, ASEAN's notion of security, terrorism and counter-terrorism, the Sino-Japanese relations or the impact of institutions such as ARF, APT and EAS.

Assessment and permitted materials

In addition to reading and commenting four texts (20%; c. 2-3 pages each assignment), students have to give a presentation (20%; max. 20 minutes; PowerPoint) and submit a major written assignment (60%; 9.000 words; deadline: 1 September 2017 - no extension possible). Attendance of the first unit is compulsory.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

The various conflicts and developments can be analyzed and presented (group presentations possible; max 3 persons) from different theoretical and methodological angles. This approach will ensure that students understand that while a certain theory has its merits, it has also deficiencies and that a single theory cannot explain all developments and relations. For instance, Neorealism struggles to explain the considerable amount of state cooperation in Southeast Asia. At the end of the seminar, students will have a profound understanding of international relations in East Asia and how they can theoretically be assessed. Overall, students will acquire all necessary skills to successfully complete their Master thesis.

Examination topics

This is a text based seminar with additional presentations on selected international relations aspects. Accordingly, in preparation of each unit, students will be asked to read related book chapters or articles (posted on Moodle). This will create a foundation for active discussion during the seminar. Expect reading about 40 pages per week.

Reading list

A readings list will be made available to registered students via Moodle.

Association in the course directory

WM3b

Last modified: Tu 14.01.2025 00:16