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IR5730   Security and Development in East Asia

Academic year(s): 2023-2024

Key information

SCOTCAT credits : 30

ECTS credits : 15

Level : SCQF level 11

Semester: 2

Planned timetable: Wednesday 10am -12noon. Week 9 extra 4 hour slot Wednesday 1-5pm

East Asia (China, Japan, North and South Korea, the ASEAN States and the US) presents some of the greatest traditional and non-traditional security challenges in the world today. North Korea's development and testing of nuclear weapons, tensions on the East and South China Seas, catastrophic humanitarian disasters such as the Rohingya in Myanmar, and the increasing frequency and severity of natural disasters such as the earthquakes in Indonesia, are all examples of the diversity of the threats to the regions' security. At the same time, these states (both collectively and individually) continue to experience record levels of growth and development, which although disrupted by security issues has managed to maintain an upward trajectory. This module investigates these two phenomena, and seeks to understand if there is a uniquely Asian approach to both security and development that produces this distinctive regional pattern.

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact: 2-hour seminars (x10 weeks); 2-hours office hours (x10 weeks); 3-hour simulation (x1 week); 2-hour student essay conference (x1 week)

Scheduled learning hours: 47

Guided independent study hours: 253

Assessment pattern

As used by St Andrews: 2-hour Written Examination = 40%, Coursework = 60%

As defined by QAA
Written examinations : 40%
Practical examinations : 0%
Coursework: 60%

Re-assessment: 2-hour Written Examination = 100%

Personnel

Module coordinator: Dr C M Jones
Module teaching staff: Dr Catherine Jones

Intended learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate a clear knowledge of the dynamic relationships between East Asian States (Japan, China, South Korea, North Korea, The US, Taiwan and the 10 ASEAN States), in terms of their economic and political interactions.
  • be able to evaluate different and competing approaches to theorising about these interactions.
  • will have participated in matrix games in order to deepen their understanding of the nature of political and economic interactions and use these games as a source of critical insights into the readings.
  • demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between security and growth for the states of East Asia.
  • be able to present a piece or analysis on at least one of the course topics and answer questions on their presentation
  • be able to provide feedback to their peers on the contents of their presentations that will inform development of their skills.