Module SGIA2161: THE POLITICS OF PACIFIC ASIA

Department: Government and International Affairs

SGIA2161: THE POLITICS OF PACIFIC ASIA

Prerequisites

• Any Level 1 SGIA module

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• The module will give students a systematic understanding of the politics of Pacific Asia by studying political institutions, processes and conflict within the wider context of, for example, cultural diversity, historical inheritances and economic and transformation of the region.
• Students will also explore how to apply theories and concepts of contemporary political science to a regional context, including the application of Western originated theories into a non-Western context.
• The module is aimed at Level 2 students who wish to understand the complexities of this emerging and important region, and who may want to pursue more specialised options in East Asian politics at Level 3.

Content

• The module will address the politics of Pacific Asia, including the legacies of the region’s colonial and Cold War history, and related matters pursuant to its regional (cultural) identity.
• The module will address the key actors such as states, regimes, social classes, the military, and political parties and explore how they have shaped political outcomes within the particular socio-political context. Consideration will also be given to the interplay between domestic and international politics.
• Although the module aims to examine Pacific Asia as a whole, teaching is based on the assumption that an adequate understanding of politics in the region must take into account variation and cultural differences as well as the specific challenges faced by different countries.

Learning Outcomes

• Students will gain subject specific knowledge and understanding in order to be able to:
• Define and apply the key theories and concepts relevant to the study of the region and disciplinary/subject field related debates;
• Demonstrate an appreciation of the variety of political issues and tensions characteristic of the region.

• Students should be able to:
• Describe and apply a basic and in some contexts more advanced understanding of the academic literature concerning the region;
• Demonstrate knowledge of the politics of the region, and the significance of the region’s historical legacies;
• Demonstrate the ability to reach informed judgements as to the relative merits of the appropriate concepts and methodologies in this field of politics.

• Students will develop:
• More advanced techniques in the research and evaluation of academic resources;
• A diverse range of skills in the preparation and presentation of academic work to the appropriate standards and within the time constraints;
• Demonstrate a self-critical and self-aware approach to their learning in the module;
• Written communication skills, including the ability to work to a deadline;
• The ability to engage in informed discussion and debate;
• Increased independence in planning and managing their own learning.

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

• The module will be taught by means of 16 one-hour lectures and nine one-hour seminars. Lectures will make the major contribution to subject specific knowledge and understanding, delivering formal instruction in appropriate theories and facts. Seminars aim to develop subject specific skills and help develop key skills in communication, notably through student presentations and small-group exercises.
• Formative assessment is by a 1,500-word essay due at the end of Michaelmas term. The formative submissions will prepare students for their summative assessments
• Summative assessment will be by means of a 2,000 word essay due at the end of the Epiphany Term and a 2-hour unseen written examination in May/June.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Formative assessment will be by means of a 1,500 word essay.

■ 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