Europe and Asia: Competing Hegemons?

This subject is not offered in 2014.

120 hours in total

Politics and International Studies at Undergraduate level

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/

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 Asia 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 relations 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 (20%) due one week after the Presentation;
2. Research Essay of 2000 words (40%) due mid-semester;
3. Final Research Essay of 2000 words (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 submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% 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.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

On completion of this subject students should:

• 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.