FSS:IREb2003 Rise of Asia - Course Information

IREb2003 Rise of Asia

Extent and Intensity

1/1/0. 4 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
In-person direct teaching

Teacher(s)

Mgr. Jan Polišenský, Ph.D. (lecturer), Mgr. Martin Chovančík, Ph.D. (deputy)

Guaranteed by

Mgr. Martin Chovančík, Ph.D.
Department of International Relations and European Studies – Faculty of Social Studies
Contact Person: Olga Cídlová, DiS.
Supplier department: Department of International Relations and European Studies – Faculty of Social Studies

Timetable

Thu 18. 9. 14:00–17:40 P24b, Thu 2. 10. 14:00–17:40 P24b, Thu 16. 10. 14:00–17:40 P24b, Thu 30. 10. 14:00–17:40 P24b, Thu 13. 11. 14:00–17:40 P24b, Thu 27. 11. 16:00–19:40 U23, Thu 11. 12. 16:00–19:40 U23

Prerequisites

! IRE203 Rise of Asia && !NOW( IRE203 Rise of Asia )
To be able to read academic materials in English.

Course Enrolment Limitations

The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.

The capacity limit for the course is 60 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 51/60, only registered: 0/60

fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with

there are 11 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display

Abstract

China, Japan, the two Koreas, and the ten ASEAN states make up what is conventionally referred to as East Asia. As a region, East Asia looms large in international politics. Four of the world’s fifteen most populous countries (China, Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam) are part of this region, as do three of the world’s fifteen richest countries by nominal GDP (China, Japan, and South Korea). At the same time, international politics in East Asia is complex and highly volatile. The diplomatic crisis over Taiwan remains a persistent flashpoint. Concern about China’s growing economic and military power raises concerns over the region, but China is in the center of speculations about the opportunities for tapping “1.3 billion potential customers”. Tensions on the Korean Peninsula over North Korea’s nuclear program have the entire region on edge. If the twenty-first century really will be “The Asian Century”, as many have predicted, then it is more important than ever to understand the factors shaping regional politics. In this course, we will broadly survey contemporary East Asian politics, paying particular attention to regional security and economic development. We will also utilize some international relations theory to frame our analyses. We will begin with an examination of how bipolarity during the Cold War helped to lay the groundwork for present-day political dynamics. We will then study the origins of the “Asian miracle” of rapid development and the collapse in the 1997 Asian financial crisis. Other topics will include the emergence of the U.S. alliance system, the rise of China, the North Korea and Taiwan, the growing institutionalization of regional politics through the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and non-traditional security problems such as terrorism and human rights violations.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to: • Critically analyze and apply key concepts of the subject matter to real-world contexts. • Engage in interactive discussions, demonstrating the ability to present arguments clearly and respond constructively to diverse perspectives. • Collaborate effectively in group activities and projects using modern digital tools and platforms. • Integrate technology to support research, problem-solving, and creative expression. • Reflect on their own learning process and contribute actively to an open, discussion-based classroom environment.

Key topics

1. Asia - A Bird’s-Eye View 2. Bipolarity and the Alliance System in Cold War East Asia 3. 38thParallel Politics – Korean Peninsula 4. Asia between Russia and United States 5. China’s Relationship Status – “It’s Complicated” 6. From Defiance to Détente – Taiwan’s Diplomatic Puzzle 7. Will the Sun Also Rise? Japan’s Quest for “Normal Status” 8. Competing Visions of East Asian Order in the Post-Cold War Era 9. Non-Traditional Security Issues in Southeast Asia 10. ASEAN and the Limits of Non-Interference 11. India’s future in the Asia 12. Indian security dilemma: Pakistan 13. Final discussion

Study resources and literature

• Holcombe, C. (2017). A History of East Asia: From the Origins of Civilization to the Twenty-First Century (2nd ed.). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
• ROGELJA, Igor and Konstantinos TSIMONIS. Belt and road : the first decade. First published. Newcastle: Agenda publishing, 2023, x, 173. ISBN 9781788212533. info

Approaches, practices, and methods used in teaching

Teaching Methods • Interactive Lectures: Short lectures combined with live polls, Q&A, and digital tools to actively involve students. • Seminar-style Discussions: Guided debates and peer-to-peer dialogue that encourage critical thinking and diverse viewpoints. • Technology-enhanced Learning: Use of multimedia, online simulations, and collaborative software to deepen understanding and engagement. • Case Studies & Problem-based Learning: Real-world scenarios that require students to analyze, propose solutions, and present findings.

Method of verifying learning outcomes and course completion requirements

Midterm will be form of multiple choice and short answers. More information will be provided in class and by mail during the Session 3. The test will be on Session 4. On session 5 is extra date (for students that cannot attend the class on Session 4). Midterm test will be in class. The FINAL test will be in form of multiple choice questions and an essay question focused on the problems presented in the assigned readings and/or discussed in the lectures and seminars. Further information will be given during the lectures. Final test will be online. Through the IS.MUNI.CZ section ROPOT.

Language of instruction

English

Further comments (probably available only in Czech)

Study Materials
The course is taught annually.

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