Universität Wien
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150055 VU International Relations in East Asia (2020W)

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

  • Thursday 08.10. 15:00 - 17:00 Hybride Lehre
    Seminarraum Ostasienwissenschaften 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2I-O1-05
  • Thursday 15.10. 15:00 - 17:00 Hybride Lehre
    Seminarraum Ostasienwissenschaften 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2I-O1-05
  • Thursday 22.10. 15:00 - 17:00 Hybride Lehre
    Seminarraum Ostasienwissenschaften 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2I-O1-05
  • Thursday 29.10. 15:00 - 17:00 Hybride Lehre
    Seminarraum Ostasienwissenschaften 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2I-O1-05
  • Thursday 05.11. 15:00 - 17:00 Hybride Lehre
    Seminarraum Ostasienwissenschaften 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2I-O1-05
  • Thursday 12.11. 15:00 - 17:00 Hybride Lehre
    Seminarraum Ostasienwissenschaften 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2I-O1-05
  • Thursday 19.11. 15:00 - 17:00 Hybride Lehre
    Seminarraum Ostasienwissenschaften 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2I-O1-05
  • Thursday 26.11. 15:00 - 17:00 Hybride Lehre
    Seminarraum Ostasienwissenschaften 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2I-O1-05
  • Thursday 03.12. 15:00 - 17:00 Hybride Lehre
    Seminarraum Ostasienwissenschaften 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2I-O1-05
  • Thursday 10.12. 15:00 - 17:00 Hybride Lehre
    Seminarraum Ostasienwissenschaften 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2I-O1-05
  • Thursday 17.12. 15:00 - 17:00 Hybride Lehre
    Seminarraum Ostasienwissenschaften 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2I-O1-05
  • Thursday 07.01. 15:00 - 17:00 Hybride Lehre
    Seminarraum Ostasienwissenschaften 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2I-O1-05
  • Thursday 14.01. 15:00 - 17:00 Hybride Lehre
    Seminarraum Ostasienwissenschaften 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2I-O1-05
  • Thursday 21.01. 15:00 - 17:00 Hybride Lehre
    Seminarraum Ostasienwissenschaften 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2I-O1-05
  • Thursday 28.01. 15:00 - 17:00 Hybride Lehre
    Seminarraum Ostasienwissenschaften 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2I-O1-05

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

This seminar addresses the intersection of International Relations and foreign policy, where some of the currently most salient political question of East Asia are to be found. We start with an overview of the genealogy of theories of International Relations (structural realism, liberal institutionalism, social constructivism, post-structuralism, post-colonialism, and feminism) and a discussion of key concepts. Following this, we explore different levels of methodological engagement: institutions and discourses. We then shift our focus and scrutinize how specific topics (migration, infrastructure financing, and defence) are regulated among the different East Asian countries and what forms of interactions manifest within the respective foreign policies. Following this, we give special attention to three topics that are developed into case studies by the students (South China Sea, health, and ‘indigenous people’).

Due to the COVID-19 situation, the course takes place online. All compulsory activities will be held over moodle in a mix of synchronous and asynchronous methods. I provide weekly activities either in the form of a webinar (synchronous), video content or other online methods that students work on the content at home (asynchronous). The details will be introduced in the first session of the course. Attending the first session online is mandatory. In order to succeed in this class, you should be online available during the regular class hour.

Learning objectives:
In accordance with the Curriculum of East Asian Economy and Society (EcoS), on successful completion of this seminar, students will have:
• Shown their ability to understand key concepts of international relations, the genealogy of IR theories and the different paradigm shifts;
• Critically assessed the strength and weaknesses of various theoretical and empirical approaches with regard to International Relations of East Asia
• Successfully conducted a case study analysis, applying and refining academic, writing and research skills acquired before;
• Improved their skills to analyse and interpret political data and evaluate the quality, validity and usefulness of IR research findings;
• Shown a critical attitude towards IR literature and established points of view;
• Demonstrated intellectual integrity and the ability to be self-critical.

Assessment and permitted materials

1. Active cooperation (30 % of in-class grade)
Students are required to follow the tutor’s instructions on weekly tasks and assignments. If the weekly webinar takes place, students are expected to have prepared questions based on the required reading for the week. If the tutor provides self-study material, the students are required to answer them in due time and submit them in moodle.
2. Short presentation (30 % of in-class grade)
Student groups will present one assigned theory of International Relations, their proponents, their key concepts, ontological and methodological approaches. China’s rise is the central objective that needs to be explained by the respective theory.
3. Case Study Presentation (40 % of in-class grade)
Students will be assigned different case studies in which they will develop their own research interests and questions. The analysis must utilize one of the theoretical perspectives discussed in class. More information will be provided in class.
For completing the assignments and attending the course completely, students receive 4 ECTS.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

Positive grades (grade 4 or better) for all formal requirements as listed under “Assessment (Art der Leistungskontrolle)” are a minimum requirement for passing this course.
Interactive discussion and student participation is integral to this seminar. Regular participation is mandatory. In case of absence, the following rule applies: The final grade remains unchanged for up to three sessions missed (à 90 minutes). Students will fail the course if absent for four sessions or more. Participation is measures either in attendance during the webinar or if the self-study task is submitted in due time.
Grading is based on a “continuous assessment of coursework” (“Prüfungsimmanente Lehrveranstaltung”). Repetition of individual assessment criteria, therefore, is not possible.
General Rules of Good Academic Practice apply. Non-compliance will result in legal measures according to the regulations of the University of Vienna.
All minimum requirements and assessment criteria will be discussed during the first class. Questions related to the minimum requirements and assessment criteria should be raised during the first meeting. By continuing this course, students automatically accept all minimum requirements and assessment criteria and confirm their understanding thereof. Therefore, attendance at the first class is mandatory. Absence at the first meeting will lead to automatic de-registration from this course.

Examination topics

Reading list

This is a text based seminar. Students are strongly encouraged to read up on International Relation theories before the start of this class. During the course, students are required to prepare a specific text for each week by bringing questions and adding thoughts to the class discussions. The theoretical part, largely builds on this book:
Dunne, Timothy; Kurki, Milja; Smith, Steve (Eds.) (2010): International Relations Theories. Discipline and Diversity. 2nd ed. Oxford, New York: Oxford University Press.
All other required readings will be uploaded into moodle. Students are strongly encouraged to research and read additional academic literature, a list for further readings is included in the syllabus.

Association in the course directory

WM3b

Last modified: Tu 14.01.2025 00:16