DESCRIPTION OF COURSE UNIT

1.
Course unit title

Code

Contemporary Asia-Pacific: Politics, International Relations &

Economic Development
2.
Name of lecturer(s)

Department(s)
Institute of Political Sciences
Faculty of Politics and Management
Mykolas Romeris University

Coordinator: Prof. dr. Vladislav Sotirovi

3.
Cycle of course unit
First

Level of course unit

Bachelor

Type of course unit

Free optional

Mode of delivery

Year of study and semester when

the course unit is delivered
Autumn/Spring

Language of instruction

4.

Class room

English

5.
Study requirements
Co-requisites:

Prerequisites:
Basic knowledge on globalization

No co-requisites

6.
Recommended optional programme components
No recommended optional programme components
7.
Number of ECTS
credits allocated
6 ECTS

Students workload

Contact work hours

162 hrs

50 hrs

Independent work
hours
112 hrs

8.
Purpose of the course unit: programme competences to be developed
Course content:
This course investigates the fundamental development of the countries of
Asia-Pacific after the WWII up today in the fields of politics, international
relations and economy. The region of Asia-Pacific, in narrow geographical
sense, comprises China, two Koreas, Japan, Taiwan [PRC] and Hong Kong
[PRC], with adjacent seas and islands. This is an enormous region with
approximately four million square miles. The region contains about a quarter
of the total global population with having fairly distinct geographical
boundaries. The peoples of the Asia-Pacific were traditionally mostly
peasants with a low living standard. Nevertheless, today, this is not longer
true for Japan, which has emerged as one of the leading global industrial
nations, as well for the South Korea, Taiwan and a part of the Chinese society
The course seeks to examine the most important features of political and
economic development in the region of Asia-Pacific from 1945 up to the
present. The course places the political and economic contemporary regional
development in the changing nature of the national politics and economies,
especially their fast integration into the global system of values, regulations
and standards

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Vladislav B. Sotirovic

The fundamental aims of the course:

Learning outcomes of the

programme
Students will be able to receive
knowledge within a common
education framework of
humanitarian and social
sciences
Students will be able to analyze
and try to solve problems in
contemporary Asia-Pacific
politics, international relations
and economic development at
the time of globalization
Students will be able to analyze,
compare, investigate and
critically evaluate scientific
literature on Asia-Pacific
studies
Students will be able to
disseminate their received
knowledge and trained skills

1. To give introduction to the study of Asia-Pacific in the areas of domestic

politics, international relations and economy of the regional countries at
the time of globalization after the WWII up today
2. To provide knowledge and skills for students to understand, investigate
and critically evaluate complexities of Asia-Pacific political systems,
economic development and the regional importance in international
relations at the time of globalization
3. To provide explanation of the emergence, characteristics, changes and
future prospects of the political regimes and economic structures of AsiaPacific countries
4. To teach contemporary research methods in the discipline of Asia-Pacific
international politics at the time of globalization
5. To train necessary skills of the students to investigate the main research
topics and problems in the discipline of Asia-Pacific studies
6. To teach students how to critically evaluate and discuss scientific literature
on the contemporary studies of Asia-Pacific countries and region
Learning outcomes of the
Teaching and
Assessment
course unit
learning methods
methods
To be able to understand
Asia-Pacific international
politics, the geopolitical and
economic goals of the major
global powers in the region
Lectures, seminars,
and their aims and
formulation of the
geopolitical, geoeconomic
problem questions
and geoenergetic strategies in
the region of Asia-Pacific
Learning to
Students work
cooperate and
achievement is
To be able to do investigation discuss
evaluated within the
based on the scientific and
framework of the
practical bases: 1) To analyze,
10 point scale
investigate and critically
Presentations
following publically
evaluate current changing
announced
dynamics in the Asia-Pacific
Independent
assessment criteria,
region; 2) To analyze the
studies
methods and
main issues and problems of
procedure by the
the emergence,
Individual and
Mykolas Romeris
characteristics, changes and
group work
University
future prospects of AsiaPacific political regimes and
Case studies
Assessment
economic development; 3) To
methods
be able to understand and
Practical solvingexamination
critically evaluate Asiaproblem work
(frontal, individual),
Pacific political and economic
individual
systems; 4) To be able to deal Learning and
presentation
with the future tendencies in
organization work
evaluation and the
Asia-Pacific regional
at the Moodle
integral test of
development taking into
electronic-study
theoretical and
consideration possible
system
practical knowledge
problems and possibilities; 5)
To be able to give adequate
Problem learning
and real recommendations
dealing with the Asia-Pacific
Co-operative
regions security policy
learning method
To be able to explain the link
between global, regional and
local developments and order
in Asia-Pacific. To be able to

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Vladislav B. Sotirovic

analyze the regional policies

of the major global powers in
Asia-Pacific. To be able to
discuss the emergence,
development, effectiveness
and prospects of regional
institutions and organizations
in Asia-Pacific. To be able to
assess the prospects for AsiaPacific regional stability and
cooperation
To be able to present and
discuss scientific research
results upon studies on the
dynamic relationship between
Asia-Pacific politicaleconomic order and the
international environment

To be able to explore,
understand and analyze the
nature of the international
politics of the region of AsiaPacific. To be able to examine
the regional organizations,
multilateral arrangements,
regional interstate conflicts
and potential flashpoints

To be able to analyze a case

study by individual or group
work
To be able to choose an
adequate research strategy
and methods dealing with
Asia-Pacific politics

Individual and
group work
Case studies
Practical solvingproblem work

Learning and
organization work
at the Moodle
electronic-study
system
Problem learning

Students work
achievement is
evaluated within the
framework of the
10 point scale
following publically
announced
assessment criteria,
methods and
procedure by the
Mykolas Romeris
University
Assessment
methods
examination
(frontal, individual),
individual
presentation
evaluation and the
integral test of
theoretical and
practical knowledge
Students work
achievement is
evaluated within the
framework of the
10 point scale
following publically
announced
assessment criteria,
methods and
procedure by the
Mykolas Romeris
University
Assessment
methods
examination

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Vladislav B. Sotirovic

(frontal, individual),
individual
presentation
evaluation and the
integral test of
theoretical and
practical knowledge

To be able to do case study

and political problem analyze
dealing with the main issues
and problems of
contemporary Asia-Pacific
politics, international relations
and economic development
To be able to criticize an
opponents view within a
framework of tolerance and
competence on the topics of
Asia-Pacific politics,
international relations,
economic development and
regional security

Students work
achievement is
evaluated within the
framework of the
10 point scale
following publically
announced
assessment criteria,
methods and
procedure by the
Mykolas Romeris
University

Co-operative
learning method

Assessment
methods
examination
(frontal, individual),
individual
presentation
evaluation and the
integral test of
theoretical and
practical knowledge

9.

1. Globalizations impact to the region of

Asia-Pacific

(Concept and definition of globalization;

Controversial nature of globalization;
Globalization of the world economy and
politics; Fundamental economic and political
consequences of globalization to the
countries of Asia-Pacific (in narrow
geographical sense): China, Japan, the North
Korea and the South Korea; Hong Kong
[PRC] and Taiwan [PRC] at the time of
globalization)

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Vladislav B. Sotirovic

Independent work
hours and tasks

All contact work

hours
Independent work
hours

Internship

Laboratory work

Training exercises

Seminars

Lectures

Topics

Consultations

Course contents
Contact work hours and planned
learning activities

10

Tasks

To analyze
sources and
scientific research
results in the
literature
To realize
practical task: to
formulate problem
question based on
the source
To study within
the framework of
the electronic

(Moodle) system
2. Japan: From lost WWII to the global
economic power
(Japans historical development; Japans
APEC
membership;
Democratization
process in Japan after the WWII; Japans
economic downturn from the 1960s;
Foundations of Japans economic power;
Japanese political system; Japanese foreign
policy; Japan in international relations after
1945; Japans G7/G8 membership; Japans
G20 Group membership and participation;
Japans and globalization; Contemporary
Japanese security problems)

3. Democracy, human and minority

rights in Asia-Pacific at the time of
globalization

10

To realize
practical task: to
formulate problem
question based on
the source

10

(Concept and definition of democracy;

Democracys
development
in
the
contemporary Asia-Pacific; The Asian
values the East Asian view of human
rights and democracy; The main challenges
to the process of democratization in the
contemporary Asia-Pacific; Comparative
quality of democracy in Asia-Pacific
countries; Human and minority rights in
Asia-Pacific)

4. China: From isolation to global power

To realize
practical task: to
formulate problem
question based on
the documentary
movie

10

To study within
the framework of
the electronic
(Moodle) system
To analyze
sources and
scientific research
results in the
literature
To realize
practical task: to
formulate problem
question based on
the source

(The process of industrialization of Asia-

Page | 5

To study within
the framework of
the electronic
(Moodle) system
To analyze
sources and
scientific research
results in the
literature
To realize
practical task: to
formulate problem
question based on
the source

(Chinas historical development; Chinas

economic miracle; Central Asia between the
European Union and China; Chinas foreign
policy; China, the World and the
international system; China and its
neighbors; Chinese economic model after
1978; Chinas economic foreign policy;
Chinas military power; Chinas security and
vulnerability; Tibetan rights question; China
in international relations after the WWII;
Chindia; Chinese century; The Chinese
Communist Party)

5. Economy and political economy of

Asia-Pacific countries

To analyze
sources and
scientific research
results in the
literature

Vladislav B. Sotirovic

10

To study within
the framework of
the electronic
(Moodle) system
To analyze
sources and
scientific research
results in the

Pacific; Characteristics of the economic

development of Asia-Pacific countries;
Political
economys
similarities
and
differences between Asia-Pacific countries;
Economic globalization and the region of
Asia-Pacific; Economic relations of AsiaPacific countries with the European Union,
the USA and Russia; Asia-Pacific Economic
Cooperation [APEC] from 1989; The Asian
century and Asia-Pacific countries
contribution)

6. Two Koreas, one nation:

(The historical context of the Korean
peninsula; Korean War in the 1950s;
Political and national division of the Korean
peninsula after the Korean War; Different
political and economic systems of two
Koreas after the Korean War; Two Koreas in
international relations; Two Koreas and
security challenges after the 1950s; The
North Korean political autarky and
authoritarianism; The North Korean isolation
from world economy; Democratization
process in the South Korea; The foundations
of the South Korean economic power at the
time of globalization; The South Korean
APEC membership; The South Korean G20
Group membership and participation; The
two Koreas and superpower competition
after 1945)

literature
To realize
practical task: to
formulate problem
question based on
the source
To realize
practical task: to
formulate problem
question based on
the documentary
movie

10

To realize
practical task: to
formulate problem
question based on
the documentary
movie

(Taiwans historical development and

peculiarities; Disputed territory of Taiwan;
Sovereign claims by Taiwan and China;
Taiwans APEC membership; Taiwans nonmembership of the United Nations
Organization; Taiwans political and
economic system; Globalization impact on
Taiwan; Taiwan in international relations
and Taiwans security after 1945; History of
Hong Kong; Hong Kong as the British
colony; An autonomy of Hong Kong as a
part of China after 1997; Political and
economic development of Hong Kong; The
basis of Hong Kongs economic power;
Hong Kongs APEC membership)

Page | 6

To realize
practical task: to
formulate problem
question based on
the source

7. Taiwan [PRC] and Hong Kong [PRC]

between China and the West

To study within
the framework of
the electronic
(Moodle) system
To analyze
sources and
scientific research
results in the
literature

Vladislav B. Sotirovic

10

To study within
the framework of
the electronic
(Moodle) system
To analyze
sources and
scientific research
results in the
literature
To realize
practical task: to
formulate problem
question based on
the source
To realize
practical task: to
formulate problem
question based on
the documentary
movie

8. The Far East Asia and geopolitics of

global peace and world security

10

(Concept of global geopolitics; Concept of

global
governance
and
Asia-Pacific
countries contribution to the global peace
and world security; Characteristics of the
regional Asia-Pacific security questions; The
Sino-USA rivalry in the region of AsiaPacific and global security; The global peace
and the Sino-Russian regional cooperation;
The role of Asia-Pacific countries in the
work of the UNO)

To realize
practical task: to
formulate problem
question based on
the source

9. Exam

Overall
10.
Assessment strategy

Weighting
percentage

32

Period or
date of
assessment
Session period

Written exam (integral

test to check theoretical
and practical
knowledge)

40%

Individual self-work
during the semester
period

40%

Semester
period

Class room work during

the seminars

20%

Semester
period

Page | 7

To study within
the framework of
the electronic
(Moodle) system
To analyze
sources and
scientific research
results in the
literature

16

32

50

112

To study within
the framework of
the electronic
(Moodle) system
Integral test to
check theoretical
and practical
knowledge

Assessment criteria

The test consists of open and closed questions

(varying difficulties, from understanding to
evaluation), each question is worth one point
Assessment:
5: Excellent knowledge and skills. 45-50% of
correct answers
4: Good knowledge and skills; may be minor
errors. 35-44% of correct answers
3: Average knowledge and skills; there are errors
25-34% of correct answers
2: Knowledge and skills are below average; there
are (basic) errors. 15-24% of correct answers
1: Knowledge and skills to satisfy the minimum
requirements; lots of errors. 5-14% of correct
answers
0: Does not meet minimum requirements. 0-4% of
correct answers
Assessment:
The structure of presentation (evaluation criteria:
clear and consistent layout (introduction, body and
conclusion)) up to 1 point;
Conceptualism of presentation (evaluation criteria:
complete and reasonable disclosure of the chosen
topic) up to 2 points;
Failure to deliver presentation - 0 points
20% - to actively and constructively participate in
discussions, to answer questions, to formulate
problems and issues, to provide critical comments;
10% - to participate in the debate, to answer to
frequently asked questions;
0% - almost does not participate in the discussion

Vladislav B. Sotirovic

or spent more than 1/3 of the seminars

11.
Required reading
Ch. K. Armstrong, The Koreas, New YorkLondon: Routledge, 2014
J. Sun, Japan and China as Charm Rivals: Soft Power in Regional Diplomacy, Ann Arbor: The University of
Michigan Press, 2015
Th. J. Christensen, The China Challenge: Shaping the Choices of a Rising Power, New York: W. W. Norton
& Company, Inc., 2015
M. Beeson, Regionalism and Globalization in East Asia: Politics, Security and Economic Development, New
York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2014
Recommended reading
V. Cha, The Impossible State: North Korea, Past and Future, New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 2013
D. Tudor, J. Pearson, North Korea Confidential: Private Markets, Fashion Trends, Prison Camps, Dissenters
and Defectors, Tuttle Publishing, 2015
A. Lankov, The Real North Korea: Life and Politics in the Failed Stalinist Utopia, OxfordNew York:
Oxford University Press, 2014
N. B. Tucker, Strait Talk: United States-Taiwan Relations and the Crisis with China, Cambridge, Mass.:
Harvard University Press, 2011
D. Fell, Government and Politics in Taiwan, OxonNew York, Routledge, 2012
R. C. Bush, Uncharted Strait: The Future of China-Taiwan Relations, Washington D.C.: The Brookings
Institution, 2013
R. C. Bush, The Perils of Proximity: China-Japan Security Relations, Washington, D.C.: The Brookings
Institution, 2013
S. Rigger, Why Taiwan Matters: Small Island, Global Powerhouse, Lanham, Maryland: Rowman &
Littlefield Publishers, Inc., 2011
D. Roy, Taiwan: A Political History, IthacaNew York: Cornell University Press, 2003
J. K. Oh, Korean Politics: The Quest for Democratization and Economic Development, IthacaLondon:
Cornell University Press, 1999
T. Jacka, A. Kipnis, S. Sargeson, Contemporary China, CambridgeNew York, Cambridge University Press,
2013
J. Kingston, Contemporary Japan: History, Politics, and Social Change since the 1980s, Chichester, West
Sussex: Wiley-Blackwell, 2013
D. Tudor, Korea: The Impossible Country, Tuttle Publishing, 2012
D. Oberdorfer, R. Carlin, The Two Koreas: A Contemporary History, New York: Basic Books, 2014
G. Liv (ed.), Chinese Foreign Policy in Transition, Aldine Transaction, 2004
A. K. Hanami, The U.S., Japan and Asia in International Politics, Cognella, 2011
D. McDougall, Asia Pacific in World Politics, Lynne Riennep Pub., 2006
A. J. Nathan, A. Scobell, Chinas Search for Security, New York: Columbia University Press, 2014
M. Lanteigne, Chinese Foreign Policy: An Introduction, New York: Routledge, 2013
D. Shambaugh, China Goes Global: The Partial Power, OxfordNew York: Oxford University Press, 2013
D. Shambaugh (ed.), Tangled Titans: The United States and China, Lanham, Maryland: Rowman & Little
Publishers, Inc., 2013
L. M. Wortzel, The Dragon Extends Its Reach: Chinese Military Power Goes Global, Washington, D.C.:
Potomac Books, 2013
T. Inoguchi, P. Jain (eds.), Japanese Politics Today: From Karaoke to Kabuki Democracy, New York:
Palgrave Macmillan, 2011
D. Ch. Shin, Confucianism and Democratization in East Asia, CambridgeNew York: Cambridge University
Press, 2012
S. Kim, Confucian Democracy in East Asia: Theory and Practice, New York: Cambridge University Press,
2014
S. Harris, Chinas Foreign Policy, Cambridge, UKMalden, USA: Polity Press, 2014
D. A. Bell, Ch. Li (eds.), The East Asian Challenge for Democracy: Political Meritocracy in Comparative
Perspective, New York: Cambridge University Press, 2013
D. Wang, The United States and China: A History from the Eighteenth Century to the Present, Lanham,
Maryland: Rowman & Little Publishers, Inc., 2013
K. B. Pyle, Japan Rising: The Resurgence of Japanese Power and Purpose, New York: The Century
Foundation, 2007
D. A. Bell, The China Model: Political Meritocracy and the Limits of Democracy, Princeton, NJ: Princeton

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Vladislav B. Sotirovic

University Press, 2015

L. Mingfu, The China Dream: Great Power Thinking & Strategic Posture in the Post-American Era, New
York: CN Times Books, Inc., 2015
M. Pillsbury, The Hundred-Year Marathon: Chinas Secret Strategy to Replace America as the Global
Superpower, Henry Holt and Co., 2015
Sh. A. Smith, Intimate Rivals: Japanese Domestic Politics and a Rising China, New York: Columbia
University Press, 2015
Sh A. Smith, Japans New Politics and the U.S.-Japan Alliance, New York: Columbia University Press, 2014
R. J. Samuels, Securing Japan, Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 2011
T. Shinoda, Contemporary Japanese Politics: Institutional Changes and Power Shifts, New York: Columbia
University Press, 2013
E. F. Larus, Politics & Society in Contemporary China, Lynne Rienner Pub., 2012
L. D. Hayes, Introduction to Japanese Politics, New York: Routledge, 2009
B. Gilley, The Nature of Asian Politics, New York: Columbia University Press, 2014
A. Anagnost, A. Arai, H. Ren (eds.), Global Futures in East Asia: Youth, Nation, and the New Economy in
Uncertain Times, Stanford: Stanford University Press, 2013
T. Haseqawa (ed.), The Cold War in East Asia, 19451991, Stanford: Stanford University Press, 2011
R. D. Kaplan, Asias Cauldron: The South China Sea and The End of a Stable Pacific, New York: Random
House, 2015
R. K. Schoppa, East Asia: Identities and Change in the Modern World (1700 to Present), Pearson, 2007
P. Ebrey, A. Walthall, East Asia: A Cultural, Social, and Political History, Wadsworth: Cengage Learning,
2014
Ch. Holcombe, A History of East Asia: From the Origins of Civilization to the Twenty-First Century,
CambridgeNew York: Cambridge University Press, 2011

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Vladislav B. Sotirovic