The Asia-Pacific region is changing rapidly as result of economic development, political transitions, environmental challenges, and shifting international alignments. In many ways, it is the most dynamic region in the world. In this context, it is not enough for policy makers and policy advocates to understand where the region stands today. It is also vital for us to think deeply and systematically about where the region is headed tomorrow - whether the question is economic growth, political stability, or environmental quality - even as we recognize that our ability to predict the future is limited. 

This course will equip students to grapple with the challenge of making policy in a rapidly changing region by introducing them to a few key tools. It will introduce students to the study of international relations, focusing on a select number of trends that are recognized as particularly important drivers of international change. In addition, it will introduce students to the concept and practice of scenario development, a technique used widely in both the private and the public sector as a means of understanding and preparing for the future. Students will draw on both of these tools to develop scenarios of the Asia-Pacific's future, building on course material and on their own expertise and research. By the end of the course, students will be well-equipped to analyze international developments in their areas of interest and to advocate new policies based on their analysis.  

After successfully completing this course, students will be able to:

1) Demonstrate familiarity with a variety of different drivers of international change and relate them to the Asia-Pacific region;

2) Generate scenarios concerning the future of the Asia-Pacific region based on a selected number of drivers of interest to them;

3) Analyze international developments related to the scenarios that they generate;

4) Advocate new policies based on their analysis of the international situation. 

1) “Drivers” paper #1 (1000 words) (20%)

2) “Drivers” paper #2 (1000 words) (20%)

3) Scenario presentation (20%)

4) Scenario paper (3000 words) (40%)

Total of 30 contact hours of classroom time, with 20-30 additional hours of required reading expected over the semester, as well as independent research for the three papers.

None

As for entry to the Master of Public Policy or Master of Public Administration

A reading brick will be made available to students enrolled in the course.

US National Intelligence Council, Global Trends 2025: A Transformed World (Washington, DC: US GPO, 2008).