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A listing of topics by session is available in the calendar below.

Description

This subject is designed for graduate students interested in international politics, national security and comparative political economy in East Asia. It examines the political, military, and economic challenges facing Japan, its neighbors, and the international system under conditions of great uncertainty. Topics range from the history of once "new" world orders to theories that inform our understanding of international affairs and foreign policy decision-making, as each is related to Japan. We focus on Japanese bilateral, regional, and global security policies from a range of theoretical perspectives. The semester will culminate in a weekend-long Asia-Pacific Crisis Simulation game in which invited U.S. and foreign experts will participate with the graduate students.

Required Texts

Alagappa, Muthiah, ed. Asian Security Practice: Material and Ideational Influences. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press, 1998. ISBN: 9780804733472.

Pempel, T. J., ed. Remapping East Asia: The Construction of a Region. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press, 2005. ISBN: 9780801489099.

Pyle, Kenneth B. Japan Rising: The Resurgence of Japanese Power and Purpose. New York, NY: PublicAffairs, 2008. ISBN: 9781586485672.

Samuels, Richard J. Securing Japan: Tokyo's Grand Strategy and the Future of East Asia. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press, 2008. ISBN: 9780801474903.

Smith, Sheila A. Shifting Terrain: The Domestic Politics of the U.S. Military Presence in Asia. Honolulu, HI: East-West Center, Special Reports, no. 8, March 2006. ISBN: 9780866382038.

Assignments

There are four assignments:

• A précis (2 pages) of at least one of the major books on the reading list, sent to the instructor and fellow students in electronic form. Eligible books are marked by [P] on the reading list.
• A short (10 pages) scenario paper, due in class Ses #7.
• A longer (up to 25 pages) briefing paper on a selected topic, due on the day of your oral presentation.
• An oral presentation.

Seminar participation will be a large part of the student evaluation.

Calendar