40014 - International Relations Of East Asia

Learning outcomes

This course is an overview of international relations of the East Asian region, which aims at broadly exploring the economic and political issues surrounding the Asia-Pacific rim. At the end of the course students will be able to examine topics related to historical and contemporary patterns of state relations in East Asia, US security alliances in East Asia and the new Asian Pivot, the rise of China, nuclear crise in the Korean Peninsula, territorial disputes, regional multilateral institutions, East Asian development models and economic integration, environmental challenges, energy security, and other related issues.

Course contents

 

Northeast Asia—encompassing the People’s Republic of China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, and Taiwan—constitutes one of the world’s most strategically significant regions in terms of demography, natural resources, trade, and geopolitical competition.

Notwithstanding its impressive economic dynamism, the region remains characterized by persistent political volatility: the unresolved division of the Korean Peninsula, maritime and territorial disputes involving Japan, China, and Russia, and the intensifying tensions between Beijing and Taipei. The enduring yet contested strategic presence of the United States adds a further layer of complexity.

This course aims to provide a critical examination of the evolving political and economic relationships among Northeast Asia’s core actors, including the United States, with particular attention to developments over the past decade. Structural features of each country’s economic model will also be analyzed.

Teaching methods

The course is primarily based on frontal lectures, supported by occasional guided class discussions. Each session encourages critical engagement with theoretical and empirical material. Students are expected to actively participate in debate, formulate analytical questions, and connect contemporary regional developments with broader IR frameworks.

Assessment methods

Final oral exam. Careful and consistent engagement with the course materials, along with active participation in class activities, is highly encouraged.

Teaching tools

Teaching tools include PowerPoint presentations and selected short video clips used to illustrate key topics and stimulate discussion.

Office hours

See the website of Antonio Fiori