Undergraduate Course: East Asian Politics and International Relations (ASST10163)
Course Outline
| School | School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures |
College | College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 10 (Year 4 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | This course aims to introduce students to the politics and international relations of Korea and East Asia. It is divided into two parts. The first part offers an overview of the region, focusing on Korea and East Asia during the 20th and early 21st centuries. Key topics include state formation, regime types, evolving forms of social political participation, and different types of economic development models.
The second part explores developments in East Asian international politics since the end of the Cold War. It analyses the interactions between external and regional powers, as well as the foreign policies of the regions main actors. Special emphasis is placed on shifting global and regional order, strategies and tools of soft power, globalization/de-globalization, and the impact of recent trade conflicts, such as the US-China trade conflict. |
| Course description |
This course offers an introduction to the domestic and international politics of East Asia. The first section examines state-building processes, various regime types, and patterns of economic development, including the role of state-led growth and the impacts of the post-Asian financial crisis period. The second section explores the complex regional and global dynamics of East Asia, focusing on interactions among the two Koreas, China, Japan, and Taiwan, as well as their relationships with neighbouring countries in Asia. Key themes include global and regional order, supply chains, environmental challenges, and the role of multilateral actors such as ASEAN, the Asian Development Bank and the G20. The course also considers the influence of major external actors, particularly the United States.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2026/27, Available to all students (SV1)
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Quota: 0 |
| Course Start |
Semester 1 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 22,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
174 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Class participation and attendance 10% - Class participation includes active participation in discussion, presentation and Q&A assignments.
Mid-term assignment 40% (800 words) - Students can choose one type of assignment from various options of assignments, including video essays (2-3 group work possible, 1mins), policy briefs, blogs, Wikipedia entries (2-3 group work possible), podcasts (2-3 group work possible, 5mins), contrast two journal articles or editorials
Essay: 50% (3000 words)
Participation meets LO1,2,5
Midterm assignment meets LO1,2,3,4
Final essay meets LO1,2,3,4,5 |
| Feedback |
Students will receive general feedback on their presentation and weekly discussion in seminars.
Students will receive written feedback on their midterm assignment and final essay. |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Describe the key features of domestic and international politics in East Asia
- Explain the cultural, historical, and theoretical contexts shaping major developments in East Asian countries
- Identify and evaluate appropriate source materials
- Apply foundational conceptual and methodological tools relevant to the study of East Asian politics
- Discuss the main conflictual and cooperative dynamics in the region using relevant course materials
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Through this course, students will develop a range of transferable skills and attributes that extend beyond subject-specific knowledge.
Students at Level 10 will:
Demonstrate developing critical thinking skills by analysing key issues, evaluating relevant evidence, and constructing coherent arguments.
Build independent learning habits, taking responsibility for preparing for classes, managing deadlines, and using feedback to improve their work.
Strengthen their ability to understand and apply scholarly resources, developing confidence in basic research skills and academic referencing.
Communicate effectively in written and oral formats, adapting their work for academic and general audiences.
Engage with global and cross-cultural perspectives, recognising diverse viewpoints and understanding how East Asian issues connect to wider international contexts.
Develop cultural awareness by working collaboratively with peers from diverse backgrounds.
Gain introductory digital skills through assignments such as Wikipedia entries, podcasts, or video essays, learning to plan, produce, and present digital content.
These experiences support the development of academic literacy, digital confidence, and effective communication at an advanced undergraduate level. |
| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Youngmi Kim
Tel: (0131 6)51 1363
Email: youngmi.kim@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | |
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