GLOBAL ASIAN STUDIES 3: POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS

This course aims at providing students with a general introduction to the contemporary history of Asian countries. It also aims at providing the analytical instruments to understand the economic development as well as geopolitics in the region. The course includes case studies addressing some of the most significant countries in Asia discussed by guest lecturers, all of whom own relevant expertise.

Knowledge and understanding: knowledge of the modern and contemporary history of Asian countries as well as theoretical backgrounds; understanding the main factors informing the current political system and international relations of Asian countries.
Applying knowledge and understanding:
ability to apply the tools of contemporary political history to the study of Asian countries in a critical and autonomous way.
Making judgements: ability to critically evaluate political and institutional contexts and their evolution in Asia.
Communication skills: Ability to illustrate the different aspects dealt with in the course in a clear and analytical manner.
Learning skills: Ability to critically integrate the course materials, the lecture contents, and their own reading.

The course does not have any specific prerequisites.

Part one:
1. Introduction: course overview
2. IR in the Asia-Pacific: conceptual and theoretical understanding of the region
3. Overview of the history and politics in the region
4. Geopolitics of the region
5. Political systems in the Asia-Pacific
6. Economic situation in the Asia-Pacific

Part two: case studies
The latter part of the course will be devoted to the analysis of several case studies and specific topics. Guest lecturers will cover some of the classes.

(NB: additional reading materials will be provided throughout the course)
Western Asia:
Cleveland, William L., and Martin P. Bunton. A History of the Modern Middle East. 5th ed. Boulder, CO: Westview Press, 2013.
Gelvin, James L. The Modern Middle East: a History. 3rd ed. New York: Oxford University Press, 2011.
Japan:
Richard Samuels, Machiavelli’s Children, Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 2003
John Swenson-Wright. Unequal Allies? United States Security and Alliance Policy Towards Japan, 1945-1960. Stanford University Press, 2005.
Marius B. Jansen, The Making of Modern Japan, Cambridge M.A.: Harvard University Press, 2000:
John Dower, Empire and Aftermath: Yoshida Shigeru and the Japanese Experience, 1878-1954, Cambridge M.A.: Harvard University Press, 1988:
Russia:
Peter Hopkirk, The Great Game: On Secret Service in High Asia, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2001.
Stephen Blank, Energy, economics and security in Central Asia: Russia and it's rivals, Central Asia Survey, 14:3
Sarah O'Hara, Great game or Grubby game? The struggle for the control of the Caspian, Geopolitics, 4 Jun 2010
India
Bipan Chandra, et.al., India Since Independence, Penguin, 2008, Penguin, India, 30th reprint 2018
China
Sebastian Heilmann, China's Political System, Rowman & Littlefield Publishers 2017
William A. Joseph, Politics in China: An Introduction, Oxford University Press 2014
John King Fairbank,‎ Merle Goldman, China: A New History, 2nd Revised & enlarged Edition, Belknap Press, 2006

Mid-term: in-class presentation on an agreed topic, followed by class discussion.
Term paper: Submission of a written essay (approx. 4,000 word in length) is required. Students should seek approval from the course instructor regarding their chosen topics. Papers should focus on an Asian country that was not dealt with in the course. Alternative subjects can be agreed upon discussion with the course conductor.

scritto

Interactive lectures, slides, readings.