40014 - International Relations Of East Asia

Learning outcomes

This course is an overview of international relations of the East Asian region, which aims at broadly exploring the economic and political issues surrounding the Asia-Pacific rim. At the end of the course students will be able to examine topics related to historical and contemporary patterns of state relations in East Asia, US security alliances in East Asia and the new Asian Pivot, the rise of China, nuclear crise in the Korean Peninsula, territorial disputes, regional multilateral institutions, East Asian development models and economic integration, environmental challenges, energy security, and other related issues.

Course contents

 

Northeast Asia, a geographic area including the People's Republic of China, Japan, the Republic of China and the two Koreas, represents one of the most important regions in the world in terms of population, natural resources, trading and investment opportunities. Despite the outstanding economic performances, this region still remains unstable from the political point of view: the division of the Korean peninsula, territorial disputes between Japan and Russia and between Japan and China, complicated relations between Taipei and Beijing, without mentioning the debated role played by the United States in the region. The main task of this course is to shed light on the "nature" and problems in the relations among the main "regional" actors (including the United States), by examining the changes that have taken place, especially in the last decade. These countries' economic systems and their characteristics will be also carefully discussed.

Assessment methods

Final oral exam. Careful and continuous reading of documents and the active involvement in class activities are very welcome.

Teaching tools

PPT and short clips

Office hours

See the website of Antonio Fiori