150138 SE Political Systems in East Asia (2026S)
Continuous assessment of course work
Labels
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).
- Registration is open from Mo 09.02.2026 10:00 to We 25.02.2026 10:00
- Deregistration possible until Tu 31.03.2026 23:59
Details
max. 25 participants
Language: English
Lecturers
Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N
There will be no class on May 19th.
- Tuesday 03.03. 11:30 - 13:00 Seminarraum Ostasienwissenschaften 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2I-O1-05
- Tuesday 10.03. 11:30 - 13:00 Seminarraum Ostasienwissenschaften 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2I-O1-05
- Tuesday 17.03. 11:30 - 13:00 Seminarraum Ostasienwissenschaften 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2I-O1-05
- Tuesday 24.03. 11:30 - 13:00 Seminarraum Ostasienwissenschaften 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2I-O1-05
- Tuesday 14.04. 11:30 - 13:00 Seminarraum Ostasienwissenschaften 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2I-O1-05
- Tuesday 21.04. 11:30 - 13:00 Seminarraum Ostasienwissenschaften 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2I-O1-05
- Tuesday 28.04. 11:30 - 13:00 Seminarraum Ostasienwissenschaften 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2I-O1-05
- Tuesday 05.05. 11:30 - 13:00 Seminarraum Ostasienwissenschaften 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2I-O1-05
- Tuesday 12.05. 11:30 - 13:00 Seminarraum Ostasienwissenschaften 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2I-O1-05
- N Tuesday 19.05. 11:30 - 13:00 Seminarraum Ostasienwissenschaften 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2I-O1-05
- Tuesday 26.05. 11:30 - 13:00 Seminarraum Ostasienwissenschaften 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2I-O1-05
- Tuesday 02.06. 11:30 - 13:00 Seminarraum Ostasienwissenschaften 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2I-O1-05
- Tuesday 09.06. 11:30 - 13:00 Seminarraum Ostasienwissenschaften 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2I-O1-05
- Tuesday 16.06. 11:30 - 13:00 Seminarraum Ostasienwissenschaften 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2I-O1-05
- Tuesday 23.06. 11:30 - 13:00 Seminarraum Ostasienwissenschaften 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2I-O1-05
- Tuesday 30.06. 11:30 - 13:00 Seminarraum Ostasienwissenschaften 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2I-O1-05
Information
Aims, contents and method of the course
Assessment and permitted materials
Assessment (Art der Leistungskontrolle)
Grades are based on a “continuous assessment of coursework” (“Prüfungsimmanente Lehrveranstaltung”). All partial achievements (assignments) are graded separately from each other on a scale of 1 to 5. A positive grade (grade 4 or better) for all assignments listed here under “Assessment (Art der Leistungskontrolle)” is the minimum required for passing this course. Each assignment counts as a minimum requirement (“Mindestanforderung”). Late submission will result in a lowered or fail grade.
- Term paper: 40%
- Group presentation: 25%
- One reading response: 10%
- Attendance: 10%
- Participation: 15%Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)
• In this course, the use of AI tools is permitted as a supportive tool. This includes utilizing the AI EcoS Prompt Generator, using AI for feedback on ideas, and for proofreading text.
• The use of AI tools for translation is possible only when the student is not utilizing methodology that relies on a proficient, nuanced understanding of the language - such as discourse, content, or narrative analysis (in such cases analysis of available English language materials is often sufficient for your assignment. If students are unsure, they should check with the course instructor). Furthermore, students should not base their assignment solely on materials that have been translated with AI. AI translation should be used only as a supplementary resource when English materials are unavailable. When AI is utilized for translation, students should be cautious and take every possible care to ensure accuracy.
• Other usage of AI is not permitted.
• Particularly, the use of AI for creating the text of student assignments is prohibited. This means students may not adopt AI-generated text passages as their own. The text must be a student's original work; the AI must not produce the paper for students. The deceptive use of AI for text generation is considered academic misconduct. Evidence of such academic misconduct will result in the student being given an ‘X’ for the assignment, which is an entry of a cheat mark on the transcript of records.
• In accordance with the statutes of the University of Vienna (§ 13g (study law)) the course instructor reserves the right to ask students “oral questions to check the plausibility of whether the student has prepared the written partial achievement independently and without the use of unauthorised aids and whether the student knows the academic sources and methods used and has included them in the written partial achievement.”
• The student remains solely responsible for the accuracy and quality of all submitted content.
Grades are based on a “continuous assessment of coursework” (“Prüfungsimmanente Lehrveranstaltung”). All partial achievements (assignments) are graded separately from each other on a scale of 1 to 5. A positive grade (grade 4 or better) for all assignments listed here under “Assessment (Art der Leistungskontrolle)” is the minimum required for passing this course. Each assignment counts as a minimum requirement (“Mindestanforderung”). Late submission will result in a lowered or fail grade.
- Term paper: 40%
- Group presentation: 25%
- One reading response: 10%
- Attendance: 10%
- Participation: 15%Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)
• In this course, the use of AI tools is permitted as a supportive tool. This includes utilizing the AI EcoS Prompt Generator, using AI for feedback on ideas, and for proofreading text.
• The use of AI tools for translation is possible only when the student is not utilizing methodology that relies on a proficient, nuanced understanding of the language - such as discourse, content, or narrative analysis (in such cases analysis of available English language materials is often sufficient for your assignment. If students are unsure, they should check with the course instructor). Furthermore, students should not base their assignment solely on materials that have been translated with AI. AI translation should be used only as a supplementary resource when English materials are unavailable. When AI is utilized for translation, students should be cautious and take every possible care to ensure accuracy.
• Other usage of AI is not permitted.
• Particularly, the use of AI for creating the text of student assignments is prohibited. This means students may not adopt AI-generated text passages as their own. The text must be a student's original work; the AI must not produce the paper for students. The deceptive use of AI for text generation is considered academic misconduct. Evidence of such academic misconduct will result in the student being given an ‘X’ for the assignment, which is an entry of a cheat mark on the transcript of records.
• In accordance with the statutes of the University of Vienna (§ 13g (study law)) the course instructor reserves the right to ask students “oral questions to check the plausibility of whether the student has prepared the written partial achievement independently and without the use of unauthorised aids and whether the student knows the academic sources and methods used and has included them in the written partial achievement.”
• The student remains solely responsible for the accuracy and quality of all submitted content.
Minimum requirements and assessment criteria
Assignment 1: Term Paper 40%
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, 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. For grading, the numeric EcoS template for assessment of term papers applies (minimum 43 of 72 points for a positive grade). The term paper is due on August 11th. Late submission of term papers: A delay in term paper submission of up to 1 week will result in downgrading by one full grade. Submissions after August 18th will not be accepted and therefore receive a fail (5) grade. The paper writing process, and especially the research design, will be supported in the Exercise Course on Political Systems in East Asia (UE 150136).If this partial achievement (term paper) is assessed negatively (i.e. graded a 5) and the assessment of the entire course is therefore negative, you will be provided an opportunity to improve. You will receive feedback with criteria that you must meet in order for the partial achievement to still be assessed positively. You must meet these criteria by August 25th 2026 at the latest by resubmitting the improved 'term paper' via email. If you miss the deadlines or do not meet the criteria, you will receive a negative assessment.Assignment 2: Group presentations 25%
Students will come together in groups of 3 to create a presentation on a particular country. Presentations need to (1) provide a very brief overview of the political system, (2) highlight one particular element of the political system that has a significant impact on politics, (3) introduce one or two contentious issues dominating politics in recent years (with possible reference to topics from Week 2 “Challenges to political systems in 2026”), (4) highlight perspectives or concerns regarding the political system for young people, (5) provide a brief political prognosis for the future. Presentations should be uploaded to Moodle for other students to review 72 hours (3 days) before class. In class each group will present items 2~5. The presentations should last for 30 minutes and will be followed by a brief Q & A.
Students should register for groups on Moodle by March 16th. Countries that can be chosen are PRC, Japan, DPRK, ROK, ROC/Taiwan, Mongolia, or any ASEAN state.Assignment 3: Reading Response 10%
Students must write one reading response for Week 2 “Challenges to political systems in 2026”. The reading response should be a critical reflection on one of the assigned texts. Students are free to conduct this as they see fit but could evaluate the assigned reading, explain their opinion on themes in the text/video, or link ideas in the text/video to political phenomena not covered in the text. The reading response should be a maximum 800 words long. As this is a personal reflection the reading responses do not need to cite academic texts (although they can if the student wishes). Furthermore, because these are students’ personal opinions, reactions to the material, and critical reflections on the material, students should refrain from using artificial intelligence tools such as ChatGPT. Demonstrating a thoughtful engagement with the text is key to getting a good grade. Students should refrain from summarizing the material.
Deadline: The reading response must be uploaded to Moodle no later than 24 hours before the class that covers that reading.Attendance: 10%
As explained above, attendance at the first teaching unit is required.
This course requires regular attendance by participants to understand content. Two absences are permitted. After two absences further absence will result in a negative assessment.Participation: 15%
Active participation & engagement in class discussions is required.
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, 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. For grading, the numeric EcoS template for assessment of term papers applies (minimum 43 of 72 points for a positive grade). The term paper is due on August 11th. Late submission of term papers: A delay in term paper submission of up to 1 week will result in downgrading by one full grade. Submissions after August 18th will not be accepted and therefore receive a fail (5) grade. The paper writing process, and especially the research design, will be supported in the Exercise Course on Political Systems in East Asia (UE 150136).If this partial achievement (term paper) is assessed negatively (i.e. graded a 5) and the assessment of the entire course is therefore negative, you will be provided an opportunity to improve. You will receive feedback with criteria that you must meet in order for the partial achievement to still be assessed positively. You must meet these criteria by August 25th 2026 at the latest by resubmitting the improved 'term paper' via email. If you miss the deadlines or do not meet the criteria, you will receive a negative assessment.Assignment 2: Group presentations 25%
Students will come together in groups of 3 to create a presentation on a particular country. Presentations need to (1) provide a very brief overview of the political system, (2) highlight one particular element of the political system that has a significant impact on politics, (3) introduce one or two contentious issues dominating politics in recent years (with possible reference to topics from Week 2 “Challenges to political systems in 2026”), (4) highlight perspectives or concerns regarding the political system for young people, (5) provide a brief political prognosis for the future. Presentations should be uploaded to Moodle for other students to review 72 hours (3 days) before class. In class each group will present items 2~5. The presentations should last for 30 minutes and will be followed by a brief Q & A.
Students should register for groups on Moodle by March 16th. Countries that can be chosen are PRC, Japan, DPRK, ROK, ROC/Taiwan, Mongolia, or any ASEAN state.Assignment 3: Reading Response 10%
Students must write one reading response for Week 2 “Challenges to political systems in 2026”. The reading response should be a critical reflection on one of the assigned texts. Students are free to conduct this as they see fit but could evaluate the assigned reading, explain their opinion on themes in the text/video, or link ideas in the text/video to political phenomena not covered in the text. The reading response should be a maximum 800 words long. As this is a personal reflection the reading responses do not need to cite academic texts (although they can if the student wishes). Furthermore, because these are students’ personal opinions, reactions to the material, and critical reflections on the material, students should refrain from using artificial intelligence tools such as ChatGPT. Demonstrating a thoughtful engagement with the text is key to getting a good grade. Students should refrain from summarizing the material.
Deadline: The reading response must be uploaded to Moodle no later than 24 hours before the class that covers that reading.Attendance: 10%
As explained above, attendance at the first teaching unit is required.
This course requires regular attendance by participants to understand content. Two absences are permitted. After two absences further absence will result in a negative assessment.Participation: 15%
Active participation & engagement in class discussions is required.
Examination topics
Weekly topic outline (subject to change):
1. Introduction to political systems & course overview
2. Challenges to political systems in 2026: Globalization and declining state autonomy? Populism? The far right? Social media? Climate change? Polarization?
3. Comparative politics or case studies - methodologies in political systems
4. Not all democracies are created equal - intricacies of political systems.
5. Republic of Korea's political system and politics
6. Japan's political system and politics
7. Republic of China/Taiwan's political system and politics
8. Socialist political systems in Asia
9. People's Republic of China's political system and politics
10. Democratic People's Republic of Korea's political system and politics
11. Group presentations
12. Group presentations
13. Group presentations
14. Group presentations
15. Course review
1. Introduction to political systems & course overview
2. Challenges to political systems in 2026: Globalization and declining state autonomy? Populism? The far right? Social media? Climate change? Polarization?
3. Comparative politics or case studies - methodologies in political systems
4. Not all democracies are created equal - intricacies of political systems.
5. Republic of Korea's political system and politics
6. Japan's political system and politics
7. Republic of China/Taiwan's political system and politics
8. Socialist political systems in Asia
9. People's Republic of China's political system and politics
10. Democratic People's Republic of Korea's political system and politics
11. Group presentations
12. Group presentations
13. Group presentations
14. Group presentations
15. Course review
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.For the first class students should read the following (they are all available online at the University library website):
Dae Jung Kim. "Is Culture Destiny? The Myth of Asia's Anti-Democratic Values." Foreign Affairs (1994): 189-194.
Francis Fukuyama. "The End of History?" The National Interest.16(1989): 3–18
Dae Jung Kim. "Is Culture Destiny? The Myth of Asia's Anti-Democratic Values." Foreign Affairs (1994): 189-194.
Francis Fukuyama. "The End of History?" The National Interest.16(1989): 3–18
Association in the course directory
WM3a
Last modified: We 04.03.2026 13:06
Students will be able to identify key elements of a state’s political system and understand how these elements impact governance of the state. Students should also gain an understanding of the nuances of various multi-party and single-party systems and be able to adjudge how democratic they are. A key aim for the course will be that students can understand and reflect on various contemporary challenges that political systems face in 2026 and how these might apply to states in east Asia. By delving deeper into certain specificities of five east Asian states, students will gain insights into their politics and the distinctions between them so as to understand their political systems ‘in use’. Students will also gain further understanding into a state’s political system through research for a term paper and a group presentation.In the first class, we will review the syllabus together and go over the course expectations. All minimum requirements and assessment criteria will be discussed in the first lecture. Questions related to these criteria should be raised then. By continuing this course after the first lecture, students indicate they understand class requirements and expectations. Attending the first class is thus essential. Maintaining your registration for the seminar will be regarded as agreement with the terms in this syllabus. The information provided here is subject to change.Content
This course encapsulates four different elements. The first involves an appraisal of the political systems that we experience through a brief exploration of contemporary issues that seemingly lead to increased political volatility. The second element is an overview of the institutional differences that exist within broad political system categories of liberal democracy and socialism. The third is an examination of certain significant elements in the political systems of ROK, Japan, ROC/Taiwan, China, and the DPRK. The final element is student determined in the form of presentations focusing on one east Asian state. The course is designed to draw out the key characteristics of separate states’ political systems and those systems’ constitutive relationship with significant political developments, political stability, and political conflicts within those distinct states. As such the course takes a cautious approach to generalizations and seeks to highlight the particular in each of east Asia’s political systems.Methods
Classes will involve lectures interspersed with partner, small group, and class discussions. Class discussions will revolve around assigned readings and questions regarding lecture materials. Such discussions will make up around one third of each class. Active participation from all students in discussions is encouraged and expected.