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DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2019/2020

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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Social and Political Science : Postgrad (School of Social and Political Studies)

Postgraduate Course: Asia Pacific in the World (PGSP11521)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Social and Political Science CollegeCollege of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) AvailabilityAvailable to all students
SCQF Credits20 ECTS Credits10
SummaryThis course explores the contemporary international dynamics of the Asia Pacific, encompassing key sub-regions such as East and South East Asia, and Oceania. Students will examine, among other things, the much debated "rise" of China and notable others such as India and Indonesia; the territorial disputes of the Yellow and South China Seas; regional multilateral organisations and institutions; the diversity of local regime types; and the future of American and European power and influence in the region. Key issues of the International Relations discipline will also be interrogated, such as security and conflict; the nature of power; cooperation and multilateralism; development; international law; and trade.
Course description Academic description:
This course explores the contemporary international dynamics of the Asia Pacific, encompassing key sub-regions such as East and South East Asia, and Oceania. Parts of the Asia Pacific boast rapid economic growth rates. Politically, Asian nations are also now far more active and influential in the workings of modern-day global affairs. In the realm of security the Asia Pacific is becoming increasingly sensitive, as its increasingly wealthy members expand and upgrade their military capabilities amidst long-standing regional disagreements and tensions.

These interconnected realms are explored in both historical and contemporary contexts. The course will interrogate the role of forces central to the workings of global affairs, but which hold particular resonance in the dynamics of the Asia Pacific. These include distributions of military power and the interdependencies of regional economies; the significance of (neo)colonialism and (neo)imperialism; discourse, imagery and representation; the politics of memory; and nationalism.

Outline content:
The course explores, among other things, the much debated "rise" of China and notable others such as India and Indonesia; the territorial disputes of the Yellow and South China Seas; regional multilateral organisations and institutions; the diversity of local regime types; and the future of American and European power and influence in the region. Key issues of the International Relations discipline will also be interrogated, such as security and conflict; the nature of power; cooperation and multilateralism; development; international law; and trade.

Student learning experience:
The course will be delivered via 10 x 2-hour convenor-led weekly lectures, followed by 1 hour weekly seminars. Lectures will include class discussion, and be interspersed with short videos and other modes of learning. Seminars will adopt a student-focused approach, with active participation and interaction key. Seminars will include structured discussions and debates about issues covered in lectures; small group work; reflections on assigned readings; and assessment advice and preparation. Detailed written guidance for each of the assessments will be offered at the beginning of the course. Comprehensive feedback will be provided on each written assessment.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisitesNone
High Demand Course? Yes
Course Delivery Information
Academic year 2019/20, Available to all students (SV1) Quota:  25
Course Start Semester 2
Timetable Timetable
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) Total Hours: 200 ( Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 196 )
Assessment (Further Info) Written Exam 0 %, Coursework 100 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Additional Information (Assessment) Literature review: 35%. 1500 words. «br /»
«br /»
Essay: 65%. 3000 words. «br /»
Feedback Detailed written guidance for each of the assessments will be offered at the beginning of the course and in seminars several weeks before the assessment deadlines, where there will be opportunities for questions and group discussion. Comprehensive feedback will be provided on each written assessment and returned to students together with provisional grades online via ELMA.
No Exam Information
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. Demonstrate and/or work with a critical understanding of the principal theories, concepts and principles
  2. Demonstrate and/or work with a critical awareness of current issues in a subject/discipline/sector and one or more specialisms
  3. Apply critical analysis, evaluation and synthesis to forefront issues, or issues that are informed by forefront developments in the subject/discipline/sector
  4. Critically review, consolidate and extend knowledge, skills, practices and thinking in a subject/discipline/sector
  5. Take responsibility for own work and/or significant responsibility for the work of others
Reading List
Yahuda, M. (ed.) (2011) The International Politics of the Asia Pacific, Third and Revised Edition (London: Routledge)

Pekkanen, S., Ravenhill, J., and Foot, R. (eds.) (2014) Oxford Handbook of the International Relations of Asia (Oxford: Oxford University Press)

Ganguly, S., Scobell, A., and Chinyong Liow, J. (eds) (2010) The Routledge Handbook of Asian Security Studies (London: Routledge)

Shambaugh, D. and Yahuda, M. (2014) International Relations of Asia, second edition (New York: Rowman & Littlefield

Sutter, R.G., The United States and Asia: Regional Dynamics and Twenty First Century Relations (London: Rowman and Littlefield), pp.1-18

The Diplomat (https://thediplomat.com/) is also highly recommended as a source of current affairs reports.
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills Not entered
KeywordsNot entered
Contacts
Course organiserDr Oliver Turner
Tel: (0131 6)51 5678
Email: Oliver.Turner@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMrs Casey Behringer
Tel: (0131 6)50 2456
Email: Casey.behringer@ed.ac.uk
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