IR3078 Hot Economics, Cold Politics? International Relations of Northeast Asia

Academic year

2024 to 2025 Semester 2

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

30

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 9

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Planned timetable

Tues 12pm

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Dr C M Jones

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Dr Catherine Jones

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

Hot economics, cold politics' is a phrase used by scholars since the 1990s to describe the relations between states in Northeast Asia. It captures the counter-theory experience of the region that has highly interdependent economies but also thorny politics and security issues. In this module we will explore different approaches to understanding and explaining the relations between these states. The module starts by setting out some theories that we might view as relevant including some traditional and critical IR concepts. Afterwards, we move to look at the history of the region including the Chinese world order, Japanese empire and Cold War, and evaluate how these historical experiences inform current relations. The final part of this course explores some key issues or relationships, including, China-Japan relations, Japan-Korea (North and South), Taiwan, and the barriers to regionalism in Northeast Asia.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST PASS IR2006

Assessment pattern

Assessment consists of 50% coursework and 50% written examination

Re-assessment

Re-assessment consists of 100% written examination

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

11 weekly lectures and 10 weekly tutorials, with 2 3-hour simulation exercises Weekly asynchronous component – narrative Moodle online, to include quizzes.

Scheduled learning hours

49

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

253

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

Intended learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate a clear knowledge of the dynamic relationships between Northeast Asian States (Japan, China, South Korea, North Korea and Taiwan), in terms of their economic and political interactions.
  • Students should be able to evaluate different and competing approaches to theorising about these interactions
  • Students will have participated in matrix games in order to deepen their understanding of the nature of political and economic interactions and use these games as a source of critical insights into the readings.
  • Students should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between security and growth for the states of Northeast Asia.