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The International Relations of the Asia-Pacific - POL00067H

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  • Department: Politics and International Relations
  • Module co-ordinator: Dr. Dimitrios Stroikos
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: H
  • Academic year of delivery: 2021-22

Module summary

This module examines Asia-Pacific’s international relations and key contemporary security issues.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Spring Term 2021-22

Module aims

The Asia-Pacific region has emerged as the centre of twenty-first century world politics. The module provides a theoretically informed introduction to the region’s key players and pressing security challenges since the end of the Cold War. Topics include China’s foreign policy and security, India’s rise as an Asia-Pacific power, the United States’ regional alliances and the ‘Pivot’ to Asia, regional security institutions, and non-traditional security challenges.

Module learning outcomes

  • Understand, explain, and critically assess the origins, evolution, and contemporary dynamics of the international relations of the Asia-Pacific.
  • Explain and critically evaluate the foreign and security policies of key regional players, like China and India.
  • Identify and explain competing understandings of the key points of conflict and cooperation in the region and the significance of external actors, using critical reasoning.
  • Work independently and communicate effectively and fluently, presenting concepts and arguments through appropriate media and a range of formats.
  • Demonstrate intercultural awareness and a reflective approach to differing points of view on the basis of the values of tolerance and inclusivity.

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Essay		 N/A 100

Special assessment rules

None

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Essay		 N/A 100

Module feedback

Students will receive written timely feedback on their formative assessment.  They will also have the opportunity to discuss their feedback during the module tutor’s feedback and guidance hours.

Students will receive written feedback on their summative assessment no later than 20 working days; and the module tutor will hold a specific session to discuss feedback, which students can also opt to attend.  They will also have the opportunity to discuss their feedback during the module tutor’s regular feedback and guidance hours.

Indicative reading

Saadia M Pekkanen, John Ravenhill, and Rosemary Foot (eds), The Oxford Handbook of the International Relations of Asia (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2014).

Michael Yahuda, The International Politics of the Asia-Pacific (London: Routledge, 2019, 4rth edition)

Mark Beeson, Regionalism and Globalization in East Asia: Politics, Security and Economic Development (Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, 2014, 2nd edition).

Amitav Acharya and Evelyn Goh (eds), Reassessing Security Cooperation in the Asia-Pacific: Competition, Congruence, and Transformation (Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 2007).

G.John Ikenberry and Michael Mastanduno (eds), International Relations Theory and the Asia Pacific (New York: Columbia University Press, 2003).


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.