This course will apply basic international relations theories encompassing realist, liberal-internationalist and constructivist perspectives to ongoing and emerging political dynamics in the Asia-Pacific region. It complements comparative political perspectives on regional governance by applying state-centric and key sub-state based perspectives on understanding how the region ‘matters’ in a global context. Various perspectives on international political economics, foreign policy analysis, international security and regional/international institutions will supplement the theoretical perspectives that underwrite the subject’s conceptual approach.

  Students who successfully complete this course should have:

1. The ability to apply international relations theoretical and empirical perspectives to their overall understanding of the politics of the Asia-Pacific;
2. A developed capacity to apply a diverse array of conceptual approaches as a means of enriching their knowledge of the politics of the Asia-Pacific;
3. The ability to better relate cultural, social, economic, political and strategic factors to the foreign policy formulation of key Asia-Pacific states; and
4. The ability to work in various policy environments that will require sophisticated skills sets in the politics policy arena of the Asia-Pacific, with particular emphasis on communication skills (as developed through written assessments, in-class discussions and tutorial-based activities).

1. Tutorial participation     10%                
2. Short Essay                        20%                     
3. Research Essay                 40%
4. Final Examination           30%

35 contact hours per semester

A 2-hour lecture session per week for 12 weeks and a 1-hour tutorial per week for 11 weeks of the  semester

Not Applicable (N/A)

A basic interest/knowledge in political science and/or international relations.

Michael Yahuda, The International Politics of the Asia-Pacific Since 1945 (3rd Edition) London/New York: Routledge 2011.

A reading brick of key articles will also be provided

Wattle

Power-point and recording enabled lecture theatre