Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE IRL2061

 
TITLE Asia-Pacific in the World: An Introduction

 
UM LEVEL 02 - Years 2, 3 in Modular Undergraduate Course

 
MQF LEVEL Not Applicable

 
ECTS CREDITS 4

 
DEPARTMENT International Relations

 
DESCRIPTION This study-unit will offer introductory insight into the dynamics of international relations of the Asia Pacific region. The study-unit will apply realist, liberal and constructivist theories to analyse the evolution of political, economic and security relations in the region. Attention is paid to the foreign policies of key actors such as China, Japan and the US, and to the role of regional institutions in the development of processes of regional cooperation.

In particular the study-unit explores:
- The evolution of international relations in the region from post-World War II to the post-Cold War era;
- The rise of China (political and economic reform) and its consequences for world and regional order;
- Issues of cooperation and competition between China, Japan and the US in the evolving regional/world order;
- The relations with the US, its military presence and bilateral alliances and the nature of the great power competition in the region;
- The dynamics of regional security, democratization and economic reform;
- Community building initiatives and projects and the development of regional institutions (such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the ASEAN Regional Forum, and the East Asia Summit) and their impact on regional/world dynamics;
- Selected issues of non traditional security.

Study-Unit Aims:

The aim of this study-unit is to offer students introductory knowledge and critical understanding of the political, economic and security relations in the Asia Pacific, both from a theoretical and empirical perspective.

In particular, the study-unit is designed to:
- Offer knowledge of the evolution of international relations in the region from World War II to the post-Cold War era;
- Gain critical understanding of the main theories in the study of international relations in the Asia Pacific;
- Explore the key actors in the region, particularly the respective foreign policy of China, Japan and the US, and the emergence and development of regional institutions, such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation, and the East Asia Summit;
- Analyse the dynamics of regional security, democratization and economic reform and their impact on both regional/world order.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Knowledge & Understanding:

By the end of the study-unit the student will:
- Be able to better understand the evolution of international relations in the Asia Pacific over the last century;
- Be familiar with key theories and be able to apply theories and concepts to their overall understanding of contemporary developments in the Asia Pacific;
- Be able to discuss the role and interactions of key state and non-state actors and their impact on the political, economic and security affairs of the Asia Pacific;
- Gain knowledge of the main political, economic and security processes in the region;
- Be able to identify the most important challenges facing the region.

2. Skills:

By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:
- Theoretically analyse and discuss the role and impact of key state and non-state actors involved in political, economic and security developments of the region;
- Identify the main transformations which have occurred over the last century and the challenges for regional stability;
- Discuss the main political, economic and security processes of the Asia Pacific region.

Main Text/s and any supplementary readings:

Main Texts:

- G J. Ikenberry and M. Mastanduno (2003) International Relations Theory and the Asia-Pacific. New York: Columbia University Press.
- M. Yahuda The International Politcs of the Asia Pacific (2011) New York: Routledge.

Supplementary Readings:

- C. Hughes (2006) Chinese Nationalism in the Global Era. London: Routledge.
- M. Beeson (2014) Regionalism and Globalization in East Asia: Politics, Security, and Economic Development. New York: Palgrave Macmillan.
- Amitav Acharya (2014) Constructing a Regional Security Community in Southeast Asia. New York: Routledge.
- Pennisi di Floristella A.(2015),The ASEAN Regional Security Partnership. London:Palgrave MacMillan.
- Curley M. and N. Thomas (2007) Advancing East Asian Regionalism. New York: Routledge.

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Lecture

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Seminar Paper No 30%
Assignment Yes 70%

 
LECTURER/S Angela Pennisi Di Floristella

 

 
The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints.
Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice.
It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years.

https://www.um.edu.mt/course/studyunit