Poli 374 Suresht Bald
T Th 9:40-11:10 Spring 1997
Smullin 205 Off. Smull 332

Asia and the International System

Course description: In this course we will study the external behaviour and goals of Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, China, and Japan within national, regional and global frameworks. Through our discussion of the readings we will identify the constant and the variable factors that shape and influence the international politics of Asia.

In addition, this course will be used as a vehicle to enhance your research, writing and analytical skills. Arlene Weible at the library will show you how to search for and evaluate information available in the various databanks. I will pair you with another student for your library sessions and research projects. Together, first, you will select five articles from scholarly journals pertaining either to one of the eight countries included in this course or a particular intra-regional conflictual or cooperative policy or issue in which two of the eight countries are/were prime-movers. You will write a short paper explaining why you selected the five articles; what each of them is about; and how they contribute to your understanding of the international politics of Asia. Second, you will write your research paper using at least ten scholarly articles (five of them may be the ones you used for your short paper) and five books or monographs. You will need to clear the topic with me before you start your research. When writing your term paper I will expect you to use your team-mate for feedback and editorial help. I will be happy to give you feedback on your outline/draft.

Early in the course the class will be divided into groups which will be designated "experts" for particular countries or issues. Each group will do a presentation in class.

The course will be discussion-based so it is imperative that you complete your reading assignments before the corresponding class meeting. There will be some mini-lectures. My role in the class will not be to "teach" but to encourage you to learn, to develop your ability to think for yourself and to question what you read.

Assignments and grading:

3 Quizzes (100 pts. each)....................... 300
Group presentation.............................. 50
Bibliographic essay (4-5 pages)................. 50
Research paper (15-20 pages).................... 200
Participation................................... 100
Total........................................... 700

Participation grade will be based on your attendance and attentiveness; the quality of your contributions in the class; your willingness to give serious consideration to your peers' ideas and opinions; and occasional in-class writing.

Late papers will not be accepted unless there is a medical emergency.

Plagiarism can be grounds for expulsion; it is taken very seriously by the faculty and administration. Please credit the sources from where you obtain your material.

REQUIRED READINGS

See course schedule. Remember to read the assigned readings before the corresponding class meetings so that you can participat in class discussions.

Available at the bookstore:

V. M. Hewitt, The International Politics of South Asia (1993)
J. R. Faust & J. F. Kornberg, China in World Politics (1995)
E. J. Lincoln, Japan's New Global Role (1993)

Additional readings have been placed on reserve at the Mark O. Hatfield Library.

Please read a major newspaper daily to follow the news relating to the eight countries incltuded in the course. Let me know if you would like to subscribe to The New York Times (available at the bookstore).

COURSE SCHEDULE

Jan 21 T. Introduction to the course.

South Asia

23 Th. Hewitt, Ch. 1. Video.

28 T. Hewitt, Ch. 3; Case: Tamil-Sinhalese Ethnic Conflict
30 Th. R. LaPorte, Jr. "Pakistan in 1995"
W. Anderson, "India in 1995"
H. B. Schaffer, "Sri Lanka in 1995"
G. Hossain, "Bangladesh in 1995"
All the above articles are on reserve; they can also be found in Asian Survey Feb. 1996.

K. Dash, "The Political Economy of regional cooperation in South Asia." (on reserve) Pacific Affairs 1996.

(Do not be intimidated by the number of articles - they are all pretty short.)

Feb 4 T. Hewitt, Ch. 2; E. C. Hanson, "The Press and Foreign Policy Change: The Times of India in Changing Times." (on reserve)

6 Th. Hewitt, Ch. 4; n. K. Jha, "Cultural and Philosophical Roots of India's Foreign Policy." International Studies 26,1. (on reserve)

11 T. Hewitt, Ch. 5 and Epilogue.

13 Th. A team of students will provide "updates" on the region.

18 T. Quiz.

China

20 Th. Faust & Kornberg (F&K), Chs. 1 & 2. Video.

25 T. Quansheng Zhao, "Achieving Maximum Advantage: Rigidity and Flexibility in Chinese Foreign Policy" American Asian Review Spring 1995. (on reserve)

Hwei-ling Huo, "Patterns of Behavior in China's Foreign Policy" Asian Survey March 1992. (on reserve)

S. H. & L. I. Rudolph, "A Journey to China after Tiananmen" (handout).

27 Th. F&K, Chs. 3 & 4.

Mar 4 T. F&K, Chs. 5 & 6.

6 Th. F&K, Ch. 7; H. Ijiri, "Sino-Japanese Controversy since the 1972 Diplomatic Normalization" The China Quarterly (on reserve)

11 T. F&K, Chs. 8 & 9; J. B. Starr, "China in 1995" Asian Survey Jan. 1996 (on reserve).

Case on the Spratley Islands.

13 Th. Student updates.

18 T. Quiz.

Japan

20 Th. Lincoln, Ch. 1. Video.

Spring Break

Apr 1 T. Lincoln, Chs. 2 & 3.

3 Th. Lincoln, Ch. 4;

P. Meeks, "Japan and Global Hegemony" in T. Akaha and F. Langston, Japan in the Posthegemonic World (on reserve under Meeks).

Case: Should Japan develop an International Development University? (handout)

8 T. Lincoln, Ch. 5;

R. Aliev, "Japan: Traditions and Foreign Policy"
Far Eastern Affairs No. 2, 1990 (on reserve).

D. Arase, " Japan in East Asia" in Akaha and Langston
(on reserve under Arase).

10 Th. Lincoln, Ch. 6;

M. Blaker, "Japan in 1995" Asian Survey Jan. '96
(on reserve).

15 T. Lincoln, Ch. 7;

Akaha, "Japan's Security Policy in the Posthegemonic World: Opportunities and Challenges" in Akaha and Langston (on reserve).

17 Th. Student updates.

22 T. Quiz.

24 Th. No class - you will work on your research paper; I will be available for consultations.

29 T. Presentation of research in class.

May 1 Th. Presentation of research in class.

6 T. Presentation of research in class.

May 10, by 7 pm.: Research papers due.