Universität Wien

150142 VU Regional Security Organizations in East Asia, 1895-2022 (2024S)

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. 100 participants
Language: English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

  • Monday 08.04. 18:30 - 20:00 Seminarraum Ostasienwissenschaften 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2I-O1-05
  • Tuesday 09.04. 18:30 - 20:00 Seminarraum Ostasienwissenschaften 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2I-O1-05
  • Wednesday 10.04. 18:30 - 20:00 Seminarraum Ostasienwissenschaften 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2I-O1-05
  • Monday 06.05. 18:30 - 20:00 Seminarraum Ostasienwissenschaften 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2I-O1-05
  • Tuesday 07.05. 18:30 - 20:00 Seminarraum Ostasienwissenschaften 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2I-O1-05
  • Wednesday 08.05. 18:30 - 20:00 Seminarraum Ostasienwissenschaften 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2I-O1-05
  • Monday 27.05. 18:30 - 20:00 Seminarraum Ostasienwissenschaften 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2I-O1-05
  • Tuesday 28.05. 18:30 - 20:00 Seminarraum Ostasienwissenschaften 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2I-O1-05
  • Wednesday 29.05. 18:30 - 20:00 Seminarraum Ostasienwissenschaften 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2I-O1-05
  • Monday 10.06. 18:30 - 20:00 Seminarraum Ostasienwissenschaften 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2I-O1-05
  • Tuesday 11.06. 18:30 - 20:00 Seminarraum Ostasienwissenschaften 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2I-O1-05
  • Wednesday 12.06. 18:30 - 20:00 Seminarraum Ostasienwissenschaften 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2I-O1-05

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

This Course will offer students a possibility to examine the question of the paucity of Regional Security Organizations (RSOs) in East Asia (EA). Cooperation through International Organizations (IOs) has been described as a hallmark of the post-Cold War international system, with international institutions having extended their influence into areas that formally have been the sole prerogative of the state, including in the security realm. The region of EA - defined as the People’s Republic of China (PRC); Japan; the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK); the Republic of Korea (RoK); the Russian Federation, Vietnam, the "Republic of China" ("RoC"), Mongolia and the United States - seems to form an interesting exception, especially regarding the establishment of RSOs, despite its increasing economic and geostrategic importance. Hence, this course will attempt to offer a historical approach to the question of the paucity of regional security organizations in East Asia

To provide a possible approach to answering this enigma, this course will examine the phenomenon of RSOs in EA through the application of stable peace, systemic and ‘critical juncture’ theory, as well as constructivist concepts of international relations particular to EA.

The course will be divided into two parts: (I) exploring the theoretical approach to RSO formation in a systemic and historical perspective as well as the consideration of non-Westphalian approaches to international order; and (II) application of theory to selected historical case studies between 1895-2022.

The learning objectives are defined as follows, reflecting both the theoretic and historical approaches taken to examine the question of RSOs in East Asia:

(i.) Students will gain an insight into the theoretical approaches that constitute the basis of RSO formation;
(ii.) Students will acquire knowledge on the pre-modern conceptions of international order that prevailed in East Asia before the 19th Century;
(iii.) Students will gain knowledge of the main systemic events in East Asian history between 1895 and 2022 and how they subsequently effected the ability of RSOs to emerge in the region.

By the end of the course, students will have developed an understanding of the traditional and modern concepts of international relations, and possible RSO formation, as it applies to the East Asian context and the role of ‘critical junctures’ and systemic change to account for their formation.

Assessment and permitted materials

To successfully complete the course with a positive grade (4 or better), students must successfully complete the following assignments:

(i.) Regular attendance (no more than three absences) and active participation in discussions (20%);
(ii.) Give one presentation in class on a subject of their choice (30%);
(iii.) Pass a multi-choice final exam following the last lecture of the course (50%). The subject of the examination will cover the course in its totality and will be based on a combination of course lectures, readings, and discussions.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

During the first session (08.04.24), the lecturer will explain all minimum requirements and assessment criteria.

Examination topics

Reading list

A reading list will be made available to students and will contain some of the materials listed below, however students are encouraged, especially regarding presentations, to independently explore the chosen subject matter.

Boulding, Kenneth, 1972, Stable Peace, (University of Texas Press)
Collier & Collier, 1991, Shaping the Political Arena, (University of California at Berkeley)
Fairbank, John (ed.), The Chinese World Order, 1968, (Harvard University Press)
Gilpin, Robert, 1981, War and Change in World Politics, (Cambridge University Press)
Ikenberry, John, 2019, After Victory, (Princeton University Press)
Kacowicz, Arie et al., 2000, Stable Peace Among Nations (Princeton University Press)
Kang, David, 2010, East Asia before the West, (Columbia University Press)
Kupchan, Charles, 2010, How Enemies Become Friends (Princeton University Press)
Miyoshi Jager, Sheila, 2023, The Other Great Game, (Harvard University Press)
Paine, S.C.M, 2003, The Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895, (Cambridge University Press)

Association in the course directory

WM4

Last modified: We 31.07.2024 11:25