Asia-Pacific: Zone of Conflict or Peace?

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

Total of 170 hours

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 provides an examination of some important issues in Asia-Pacific international politics in the light of relevant theorizing, interpretations and debates. The topics for study will normally include the China-US-Japan triangle, the Taiwan and Korean conflicts, the international context of conflicts relating to Indonesia and the Southwest Pacific, Australian engagement in the Asia-Pacific, and new and emerging issues in the Asia-Pacific.

On completion of this subject students should:

• understand the dynamics of international politics in the Asia-Pacific region in the light of relevant theorizing, interpretations and debates;
• develop an understanding of the international roles of the United States, China and Japan in the Asia-Pacific;
• understand the context of major conflicts in the Asia-Pacific relating to Taiwan and Korea;
• have an understanding of the international context of conflicts relating to Indonesia and the Southwest Pacific;
• be aware of some of the major issues in Australian engagement in the Asia-Pacific;
• develop an understanding of the relevance of new and emerging international agenda issues to international politics in the Asia-Pacific.

A written essay of 3000 words (60%) due late in semester, and a review 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 for purchase from the University Bookshop.

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, conceptualising theoretical problems, forming judgments from conflicting evidence, and by critical analysis.