Module SGIA3521: SPECIAL TOPIC ON PACIFIC ASIA

Department: Government and International Affairs

SGIA3521: SPECIAL TOPIC ON PACIFIC ASIA

Prerequisites

• Any Level 2 SGIA module

Corequisites

• None

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None

Aims

• To provide students with an in-depth understanding of key concepts and theories in the international politics of Pacific Asia
• To provide students with in-depth knowledge and understanding of the power relationships between key players in the region, and how their domestic politics play a role in these.
• To provide students with an in-depth understanding of how theoretical approaches have been, or could be, applied to the study of key contemporary issues in the international politics of the region.
• To enable students to critically evaluate leading scholarship in the field of Pacific Asian international politics.
• To provide students with in-depth knowledge and understanding of strategic politics and how this shapes foreign policy thinking and behaviour

Content

• Early lectures will provide some historical grounding on the region and introduce appropriate theoretical and conceptual frameworks for analysis before moving on to special topics. These will respond to current and emerging issues in the region, but indicative content may include some of the following:
• The East Asian strategic quadrangle
• The South China Sea Dispute
• Soft power in Southeast and/or East Asia
• Southeast Asian and/or East Asian identities and ethnicities
• The political economy of East Asia
• China’s One Belt, One Road policy
• Diaspora and Migration
• Postcolonial nationalism in Southeast Asia
• Nation-State division: Korea and/or Vietnam

Learning Outcomes

• Knowledge and understanding of the nature of Pacific Asian politics and international relations and how this shapes state and inter-state behaviour .
• In-depth understanding of the components and dynamics of key aspects of selected states’ domestic politics.
• Knowledge and understanding of the nature of the foreign policy behaviour of key Pacific Asian powers in the regional context.
• An appreciation of the implications of changing economic power dynamics across Pacific Asia.
• In-depth understanding of the international politics of the special topics studied

• Knowledge and understanding of the nature of Pacific Asian politics and international relations and how this shapes state and inter-state behaviour .
• In-depth understanding of the components and dynamics of key aspects of selected states’ domestic politics.
• Knowledge and understanding of the nature of the foreign policy behaviour of key Pacific Asian powers in the regional context.
• An appreciation of the implications of changing economic power dynamics across Pacific Asia.
• In-depth understanding of the international politics of the special topics studie.

• Demonstrate independent learning within a defined framework of study.
• Demonstrate independent thought in analysing and critiquing existing scholarship on the subject area and in evaluating its contribution.
• Demonstrate the ability to work to a deadline and complete written work within word limits.
• Demonstrate well-developed essay-writing skills.
• Participate in group work
• Research topics via a creative use of library and internet sources
• Retrieve and utilise a wide range of information using own initiative.
• Accurately assess the suitability and quality of resources.
• Show flexibility in using knowledge and subject specific skills to meet the specific demands of the module.
• Demonstrate self-direction and responsibility in producing a group summative assignment.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• Students are taught through lectures and tutorials. Lectures introduce the main theoretical and conceptual frameworks for the study of Pacific Asian politics and are designed to ensure that students with differential knowledge levels approach the subsequent tutorials with an appropriate level of understanding.
• Tutorials develop students’ skills in communication and argumentation. Discussion and debate deepen students’ knowledge and understanding of different points and perspectives.
• Students are required to submit a formative critical article review that will require them to engage in detail with the structure, content and argument of a particular piece of work, thereby encouraging them to reflect critically on what makes good scholarly analysis before the summative essay is submitted.
• Students are required to submit a summative essay of 3,000 words at the end of the module. This enables them to demonstrate their subject knowledge and scholarly writing skills.
• Teamwork represents a key transferable skill. Posters serve as a visual learning resource and tap into students’ creativity in addition to using team work skills.
• Students will work together to develop a poster on a specific topic in Pacific Asian politics, and will be given 15 minutes to present it as a group.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

1,500 word critical article review

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University