International relations

East Asia Rising: Beyond the American Century?

Module code: L2074AID
Level 6
30 credits in autumn semester
Teaching method: Seminar
Assessment modes: Not yet finalised

You will understand the rise of East Asia by examining the interconnections between regional development and geopolitical contestation in the Cold War and contemporary eras. You will adopt an historical approach, beginning with an examination of the legacies of European and Japanese imperialism in East Asia. You will analyse the establishment of post-war US hegemony in the region and its implications for subsequent economic development.

You will examine the divergent experiences of Northeast and Southeast Asia and the rise of China. You will then look at the implications of the decline of Cold War geopolitical rivalry, as well as the rise of 'globalisation' and its role in explaining subsequent trends – including the East Asian financial crisis, East Asian regionalism and the changing nature of US-China relations.

Within this historical context, you’ll examine varying analytical frameworks and debates concerning late development, including:

• neoclassical versus structural institutionalism
• Marxist vs dependency theories
• international/regional vs domestic factors.