East Asia: Politics and Society

2018/2019

Academic Year

ENG

Instruction in English

6

ECTS credits

Delivered at:

Department of Political Science and International Affairs

Course type:

Compulsory course

When:

1 year, 4 module

Instructor

Киан Живей

Course Syllabus

Abstract

The course offers introduction into study of traditional institutional structure of East Asia societies. Special attention will be given to analysis of the institutional development of China – a key historical society in the region. Comparative historical analysis of China’s institutional history will shed light on how to conceptualize societal tradition which is behind contemporary East (South-East) Asia. The course will cover development of the basic economic institutions (commercial practices, financial and bank system, etc.); evolution of social and cultural institutions (education, class system and social mobility, family, special urbanization patterns, bureaucracy, religion in Chinese society, science and technology, etc.); China as a model for historical development in East Asia; Chinese communism; historical legacies and contemporary growth in China and East Asia. Students will familiarize themselves both with classical texts and contemporary literature on the field.

Learning Objectives

• The goal is to introduct into study of traditional institutional structure of East Asia societies

Expected Learning Outcomes

• Provide a more effective rationale for the politics that we encounter
• Demonstrate how similar processes may work in various historical settings
• Critically evaluate and apply the core arguments of the related scholarship to political and policy situations.
• Demonstrate a good knowledge of historical transformation and recent transformation of the East Asia societies – the assumptions, 'tools' and limitations

Course Contents

• Introduction
• Basic economic institutions (commercial practices, financial and bank system, etc.)
• Evolution of social and cultural institutions (education, class system and social mobility, family, special urbanization patterns, bureaucracy, religion in Chinese society, science and technology, etc.)
• China as a model for historical development in East Asia
• Chinese communism
• Historical legacies and contemporary growth in China and East Asia

Assessment Elements

• Class attendance, preparation and participation
• Final examination
  Students are supposed to prepare an in-class written text of 2-4 pages long addressing one of the questions (by their choice) that cover core topics of the course and are offered by the instructor immediately before the start of the examination. - Late assignments will be graded down. - Plagiarism will result in failure. Papers submitted for other classes cannot be reused.
• In-class project Presentation
  One obligatory presentation on the topic of the class session [project presentation] as a member of a small group. Presentations will be held for about 20 minutes each week. Each student will present at least once (as a member of a small group). Presenters are supposed to have required and supplementary readings for the week covered. Through the discussion and presentation, presenters should demonstrate understanding of all required texts, to include some that are not assigned, and students are supposed to lead the discussion that integrates these into a wider theme. Presenters must use visual presentation as an aid for the others.

Interim Assessment

• Interim assessment (4 module)
  0.25 * Class attendance, preparation and participation + 0.25 * Final examination + 0.5 * In-class project Presentation

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

• Lal, R. (2006). Understanding China and India : Security Implications for the United States and the World. Westport, Conn: Greenwood Publishing Group. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=226294

Recommended Additional Bibliography

• Lal, R., & Project Air Force (U.S.). (2006). Central Asia and Its Asian Neighbors : Security and Commerce at the Crossroads. Santa Monica, CA: RAND. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=197666