Europe and Asia: Competing Hegemons?

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2011:

This subject focuses on contemporary debates in EU-East Asia relations, introducing students to concepts of regional integration and providing them with an understanding of intra-regionalism as well as inter-regionalism. It examines the EU's political agenda in developing a close relationship with East Asia, with a particular emphasis on the evolution of dialogue and engagement over the last decade. This subject will further address the important and topical question of the European Union as a model for Asian regionalism. The roles of regional bodies and cooperative forums such as ASEAN, ASEAN +3, ASEM, and the ARF are studied in some detail, and their interactions with the EU scrutinised. The role of the US as an external hegemon and its influence on EU-Asia is investigated, as is the possibility of a hegemon arising in Asia.

Upon successful completion of this subject, students are expected to have:

• An understanding of the relationship between the EU and East Asia
• A critical understanding of inter-regionalism
• Analytical knowledge of the economic, political and socio-cultural pillars of ASEM
• Achieved a critical evaluation of the role of culture in EU-Asia relations
• An appreciation of the value of multi-disciplinarity in the study of Europe-Asia relations
• An insight into contemporary debates on the EU as a putative model for regional integration in East Asia
• An in-depth analysis of the role of security in EU-Asia relations.

1. Group Presentation held throughout the semester and an Individual Written Report of 1000 words, worth 20% due two weeks after the Presentation;
2. Research Essay of 2000 words, worth 40% due end of April;
3. Final Research Essay of 2000 words, worth 40% due during the examination period.

Hurdle Requirement: Students are required to attend a minimum of 75% of classes in order to qualify to have their written work assessed. Students who fail to meet this hurdle requirement will be deemed ineligible to submit the final piece of assessment for this subject. Regular participation in class is required.

Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 2% per working day. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.

A subject reader will be available for purchase from the University Bookshop.

P. Murray (ed.) in Europe and Asia: Regions in Flux (Palgrave 2008).

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

• be able to demonstrate competence in critical, creative and theoretical thinking through essay writing, seminar discussion and presentations, conceptualizing theoretical problems, forming judgments and arguments from conflicting evidence and by critical analysis.
• be able to demonstrate proficiency in the application of selected methods of analysis of international politics.
• be able to demonstrate an understanding of the academic protocols of research and presentation.