AMU2019 · Power and conflict: The international politics of the Asia Pacific

Overview

In this unit, you will analyse the factors that shape the international relations and foreign policies of Asia Pacific states. In the first part of the unit, you will examine the different forms of modernisation and related ideologies that shape the Asia Pacific region. You will then undertake a series of country studies to examine how domestic and international factors shape a state’s foreign policy and state to state relations. Topics for study may include Japan’s military modernisation and national identity, China’s response to the liberal international order, the contest between North and South Korea, ASEAN’s attempt to mitigate conflict between the US and China, the “history wars” between China, Japan and the Koreas, and the US as an ‘exceptional state’ with a ‘manifest destiny'. In undertaking these studies, you will explore competing visions of national interest within states. While building on first year Global Studies units, this unit assumes no prior knowledge.

Areas of study: Global studies

Offerings

Assessment

The Handbook does not list a final examination among the assessment items. That is not a guarantee there is none.

Within semester assessment: 100%

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

The Handbook lists no prerequisite, corequisite or prohibition for this unit.

Learning outcomes

1. Recognise the fundamental approaches to international relations and apply one of these to explain state behaviour or outcomes in international politics;
2. Analyse the factors that shape a state’s response to a bilateral or an international issue;
3. Create an informed policy that advances a state’s dominant interests in relation to a specific issue;
4. Communicate persuasively in written and oral form to advance a state’s position on a contested issue;
5. Demonstrate, and reflect on, leadership and teamwork skills in a role play setting.

Workload

Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement.

Student experience, not official rules. Nothing here changes what the Handbook says.