Peace and Security in the Asia-Pacific

School of Government, Development and International Affairs

PL302
International Politics of the Asia Pacific

Course Guide
Semester Two, 2013

GENERAL INFORMATION

Course code and Title:
PL302 International Politics of the Asia Pacific

Course coordinator:
Dr Nikki Baker, Telephone: [phone]; email: [e-mail]

Consultation hours:

Wednesday: 10am - 11am
Thursday: 9am - 11am

Lecture Times:
Thursday 12 noon - 12.50 (Room 014-111)
Friday 12 noon – 12.50 (Room 014-111)

Tutorial Times:
Tuesday 12 noon – 12.50 (014-103)
Wednesday 9am – 9.50 (014-103)
Wednesday 11am – 11.50 (014-103)
Wednesday 4pm – 4.50 (014-103)

Course themes and objectives

This course analyses the international politics of Asia and the Pacific – a broad region that encompasses Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia, Australasia and Oceania. Our principal interest is on the patterns of conflict and cooperation in this region, and explaining the sources of stability and instability. In exploring the international politics of Asia and the Pacific we will focus on the dynamics of ‘regional order’: the impact of shifting power relations in this region (particularly involving the United States, Japan and China, as well as the role of middle and emerging powers such as India, Russia, Australia and Indonesia. We will also examine key regional issues including nuclear proliferation (especially in respect of North Korea), the conflict between China and Taiwan, the impact of economic globalization and the role of regional institutions and regimes. Throughout this course our analysis will be guided by the ideas and assumptions of some of the major international relations theories. These are realism, liberalism and constructivism.

LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the end of this course you should: 1. be able to identify the main ideas and assumptions of realism, liberalism and constructivism and apply

References: John Baylis, Steve Smith and Patricia Owens (Eds), The Globalization of World Politics: An Introduction to International Relations (fourth Edition), Oxford University Press, 2008. Reserve. Michael Connors, Remy Davison, Jorn Dosch, The New Global Politics of the Asia Pacific, RoutledgeCurzon, London and NY, 2005. Reserve. Annelies Heijmans, Nicola Simmonds and Hans van de Veen (Eds), Searching for Peace in Asia Pacific, Lynne Reinner Publishers, Boulder and London, 2004. Pacific Collection. G. John Ikenberry and Michael Mastanduno (Eds), International Relations Theory and the Asia-Pacific, Columbia University Press, New York, 2003. Reserve. Katherine Palmer Kaup, (Ed), Understanding Contemporary Asia Pacific, Lynne Reinner, Co., 2007. (Especially chapters one and two). Reserve. Dereck McDougall, Asia Pacific in World Politics, Lynne Reinner, Boulder, 2007. Pacific Collection. William Overholt, Asia, America and the Transformation of Geopolitics, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2008. David Shambaugh (Ed), Power Shift: China and Asia’s New Dynamics, University of Berkeley Press, 2005. Reserve. Bruce Vaughn (Ed), The Unraveling of Island Asia? Government, Communal and Regional Instability, Praeger, Westport CT, 2002. Reserve. Michael Yahuda, The International Politics of the Asia Pacific, 2nd edition, Routledge, New York, 2004. Reserve. Recommended reading: Katherine Palmer Kaup, (Ed), Understanding Contemporary Asia Pacific, Lynne Reinner, Co., 2007 (especially chapters one and two) Moodle discussion article: Peter Van Ness, ‘Under Obama, realism ain’t so realistic anymore’, East Asia Forum, 3 June, 2009 Recommended reading: G.John Ikenberry and Michael Mastanduno, International Relations Theory and the Asia Pacific, Columbia University Press, New York, 2003, pp.1-21