Universität Wien

150138 SE Political Systems in East Asia (2021S)

7.00 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 04.03. 15:00 - 17:00 Digital
    Hybride Lehre
    Seminarraum Ostasienwissenschaften 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2I-O1-05
  • Thursday 11.03. 15:00 - 17:00 Digital
    Hybride Lehre
    Seminarraum Ostasienwissenschaften 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2I-O1-05
  • Thursday 18.03. 15:00 - 17:00 Digital
    Hybride Lehre
    Seminarraum Ostasienwissenschaften 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2I-O1-05
  • Thursday 25.03. 15:00 - 17:00 Digital
    Hybride Lehre
    Seminarraum Ostasienwissenschaften 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2I-O1-05
  • Thursday 15.04. 15:00 - 17:00 Digital
    Hybride Lehre
    Seminarraum Ostasienwissenschaften 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2I-O1-05
  • Thursday 22.04. 15:00 - 17:00 Digital
    Hybride Lehre
    Seminarraum Ostasienwissenschaften 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2I-O1-05
  • Thursday 29.04. 15:00 - 17:00 Digital
    Hybride Lehre
    Seminarraum Ostasienwissenschaften 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2I-O1-05
  • Thursday 06.05. 15:00 - 17:00 Digital
    Hybride Lehre
    Seminarraum Ostasienwissenschaften 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2I-O1-05
  • Thursday 20.05. 15:00 - 17:00 Digital
    Hybride Lehre
    Seminarraum Ostasienwissenschaften 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2I-O1-05
  • Thursday 27.05. 15:00 - 17:00 Digital
    Hybride Lehre
    Seminarraum Ostasienwissenschaften 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2I-O1-05
  • Thursday 10.06. 15:00 - 17:00 Digital
    Hybride Lehre
    Seminarraum Ostasienwissenschaften 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2I-O1-05
  • Thursday 17.06. 15:00 - 17:00 Digital
    Hybride Lehre
    Seminarraum Ostasienwissenschaften 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2I-O1-05
  • Thursday 24.06. 15:00 - 17:00 Digital
    Hybride Lehre
    Seminarraum Ostasienwissenschaften 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2I-O1-05

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

*** Students from other study programs than EcoS can enroll in this exercise course. However, EcoS students enjoy priority in the allocation of course places. EcoS STUDENTS MUST ALSO ENROL IN THE EXERCISE COURSE ON POLITICAL SYSTEMS IN East Asia (UE 150136)! ***

This seminar will start in an online format (via the e-learning platform Moodle), but if the governmental and university regulations on COVID-19 allow, it will be switched to a hybrid format during the semester. Thus, in such a case students can opt to continue the class in the online format, as the sessions will be streamed online.

East Asia (North and Southeast Asia) encompasses a broad variety of political systems: While some are democratic (e.g., Japan, South Korea and Indonesia), some are authoritarian (e.g., China and Vietnam) and others are mixed (semi-authoritarian or semi-democratic; e.g., Singapore). Applying theoretical approaches from the field of comparative politics and governance research, this seminar will analyze and compare different East Asian political systems. The objective is to emphasize differences and similarities and ask whether there exists a specific Northeast, Southeast or even East Asian “model”.

A crucial step for this assessment is to classify the political systems according to ideal-typical criteria (e.g., democracy, authoritarian system, parliamentary or presidential republic ...). Subsequently, various aspects of a political system, i.e., the party, electoral, judicial or media system, will be defined. A guiding frame for the seminar will be the three dimensions “polity” (institutions and norms, e.g., constitution, government, parliament, electoral system or political culture), “policy” (material component of politics and governance, e.g., economic, defence, agricultural, media, technology defense policy) and “politics” (formal and informal bargaining processes among actors, e.g., political parties, trade unions, NGOs and lobbying groups).

In the first four units, we will read and discuss texts (via BigBlueButton) in order to select common methods and criteria to analyze a political system. Subsequently, students will apply this criteria on a specific East Asian country of their choice, forming a group with 2-3 other students. From week 5 on, the groups will present their findings (60–70 minutes) either online or, if possible, in class. In the last unit, we will compare the similarities and differences of the various political systems.

Learning aims:
(1) Students will acquire a deeper knowledge of theories, criteria and methods for analyzing a political system.
(2) Students learn how to apply these approaches on a specific case study.
(3) Students can highlight specific and common features of various political systems in East Asia.
(4) Students demonstrate their academic and writing skills gained during this study program in writing three short texts and a seminar paper, all in line with the academic requirements of the EcoS Master program.

Assessment and permitted materials

In order to receive a positive grade for the seminar, each of the following three requirements must be positively fulfilled:

- Reading and commenting three texts (600–900 words), incl. participation in class (25%)
- Group presentation on the political system of one East Asian country (c. 60 minutes; 25%)
- Writing a term paper of 9.000 words (+/-500 words; excl. cover page, table of content, bibliography, appendix; due on 15 August 2021, 11:55 pm, no extension possible; 50%).

In their individual term paper, students need to focus on one or two specific aspects of one or two East Asian political systems of their choice. The term paper is an indispensable component of the seminar, in particular as it serves as a direct preparation for the MA thesis. Thus, students who fail to submit a positive graded term paper, will also fail the whole seminar. The term paper is due on 15 August 2021 (11:55 pm), no extension possible. Late submissions will result in a “fail” for the term paper and thus the whole course. For grading, the numeric EcoS template for assessment of term papers applies (minimum 43 of 72 points for a positive grade).

The course is paired with the Exercise Course “Political Systems in East Asia” (150136 UE) also held by Alfred Gerstl. EcoS students MUST participate both courses in the same semster! The course focuses on academic writing and will assist students in preparing their final paper for this seminar.

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.
Grading is based on a “continuous assessment of coursework” (“Prüfungsimmanente Lehrveranstaltung”). 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. All related questions 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. In case of absence of one of the following classes, 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 (online or in class) or more. Please note: To ensure a smooth proceeding of the seminar, be on time. Students who are late by more than 10 minutes will not be signed in on the attendance list. Please also ensure that you have a stable internet connection, a microphone and a webcam.

As at least the first sessions of this exercise course will be conducted virtually, students are advised to:

- Log in a couple of minutes before the start of the class in order to set the internet connection, audio and video settings. To facilitate discussions, it is highly recommended to keep your camera on during the sessions.
- Use a common internet browser (Firefox, Safari, Chrome, Edge, Opera …)
- In case of technical difficulties, please contact your lecturer or a classmate
- Please be aware that virtual classes will be recorded and made available online after the end of the session.

Examination topics

This is a text based course. Accordingly, students need to read and comment three texts. Based on the review of these seminal articles, the students and the lecturer will build a common research framework in class to assess the individual political systems. Students will then form groups to apply this research design on specific political systems. They can choose any East Asian country for their analysis. In their individual term paper, students need to focus on one or two specific aspects of one or two East Asian political systems of their choice.

Reading list

A complete literature list will be available on Moodle. However, students are required to independently research additional literature for the discussions, their presentation and term paper.

Association in the course directory

WM3a

Last modified: Fr 12.05.2023 00:17