Europe and Asia: Competing Hegemons?

Subject POLS90017 (2013)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2013.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 9 (Graduate/Postgraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject is not offered in 2013.

Time Commitment: Contact Hours: Semester 1, 2013: A 2-hour seminar per week.
Total Time Commitment:

120 hours in total

Prerequisites:

None

Corequisites:

None

Recommended Background Knowledge:

Politics and International Studies at Undergraduate level

Non Allowed Subjects:

166-557 Europe and Asia: Competing Hegemons?

Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Contact

Assoc. Prof. Philomena Murray

pbmurray@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:

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 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 the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), ASEAN +3, the Asian Europe Meeting, and the ASEAN Regional Forum 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.

Objectives:

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.
Assessment:
  1. Group Presentation held throughout the semester and an Individual Written Report of 1000 words, worth 20% due one week 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. Regular participation in class is required.

Assessment that is submitted after the due date and up to 10 working days late without an approved extension will be marked on a pass/fail basis only. Assessment that is submitted later than 10 working days will not be accepted or marked. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.

Prescribed Texts:

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

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

Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:
  • 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.
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: 100 Point Master of International Relations
100 Point Master of Journalism
150 Point Master of Journalism
200 Point Master of International Relations
200 Point Master of Journalism

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