Universität Wien
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150053 SE 'FOCUS International Relations': SE International Relations in East Asia (2015S)

8.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 15 - Ostasienwissenschaften
Continuous assessment of course work

This seminar will focus on current international relations, conflicts and cooperation in East Asia. A major research interest are the relations between Southeast and Northeast Asia in form of intra-regional collaboration. Thereby the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the cooperative mechanisms it has established in the realm of traditional and non-traditional security will be highlighted (ASEAN plus three, ASEAN Regional Forum and East Asian Summit). Special emphasis will be given to the conflict in the South China Sea, demonstrating the strategic importance of external actors such as the United States and India in East Asia.
Moodle

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).

Details

max. 25 participants
Language: English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

  • Wednesday 04.03. 16:45 - 18:15 Seminarraum Ostasienwissenschaften 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2I-O1-05
  • Wednesday 11.03. 16:45 - 18:15 Seminarraum Ostasienwissenschaften 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2I-O1-05
  • Wednesday 18.03. 16:45 - 18:15 Seminarraum Ostasienwissenschaften 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2I-O1-05
  • Wednesday 25.03. 16:45 - 18:15 Seminarraum Ostasienwissenschaften 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2I-O1-05
  • Wednesday 15.04. 16:45 - 18:15 Seminarraum Ostasienwissenschaften 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2I-O1-05
  • Wednesday 22.04. 16:45 - 18:15 Seminarraum Ostasienwissenschaften 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2I-O1-05
  • Wednesday 29.04. 16:45 - 18:15 Seminarraum Ostasienwissenschaften 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2I-O1-05
  • Wednesday 06.05. 16:45 - 18:15 Seminarraum Ostasienwissenschaften 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2I-O1-05
  • Wednesday 13.05. 16:45 - 18:15 Seminarraum Ostasienwissenschaften 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2I-O1-05
  • Wednesday 20.05. 16:45 - 18:15 Seminarraum Ostasienwissenschaften 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2I-O1-05
  • Wednesday 27.05. 16:45 - 18:15 Seminarraum Ostasienwissenschaften 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2I-O1-05
  • Wednesday 03.06. 16:45 - 18:15 Seminarraum Ostasienwissenschaften 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2I-O1-05
  • Wednesday 10.06. 16:45 - 18:15 Seminarraum Ostasienwissenschaften 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2I-O1-05
  • Wednesday 17.06. 16:45 - 18:15 Seminarraum Ostasienwissenschaften 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2I-O1-05
  • Wednesday 24.06. 16:45 - 18:15 Seminarraum Ostasienwissenschaften 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2I-O1-05

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

In the first four units, the lecturer will present the main theoretical International Relations approaches, i.e. Realism and Neorealism, Liberalism and Neoliberalism, Constructivism, Postmodernism and Critical Theory. In addition, students will critically discuss key texts about these approaches, their theoretical and methodical benefits and shortcomings. In the first weeks, we will also discuss various methods for analyzing the concrete case studies.

From week 3 on, students will apply different theories to examine the political-security and political-economic situation in Northeast and Southeast Asia, using case studies, e.g. the conflicts in the South China Sea, Vietnam's invasion of Cambodia, the Asian Financial Crisis (AFC) 1997/98, the regional effects of China's rise, the ASEAN Community 2015 or the impact of institutions such as ARF, APT and EAS.

Assessment and permitted materials

In addition to reading and commenting these texts (c. 2-3 pages each assignment), students have to give a presentation (c. 20 minutes; PowerPoint) and submit a major written assignment (details will be announced in the first week). Attendance of the first unit is compulsory.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

These conflicts and developments can be analyzed and presented (group presentations possible) from different theoretical and methodological angles. This approach will ensure that students learn that while a certain theory has its merits, it has also deficiencies and that a single theory cannot explain all developments and relations. For instance, Neorealism struggles to explain the considerable amount of state cooperation in Southeast Asia. At the end of the seminar, students will have a profound understanding of international relations in East Asia and how they can theoretically be assessed. Overall, students will acquire all necessary skills to successfully complete their Master thesis.

Examination topics

This is a text based seminar with additional presentations on selected international relations aspects. Accordingly, in preparation of each unit, students will be asked to read related book chapters or articles (posted on Moodle). This will create a foundation for active discussion during the seminar. Expect reading about 40 pages per week.

Reading list

A readings list will be made available to registered students via Moodle.

Association in the course directory

WM3b

Last modified: Tu 14.01.2025 00:16