Studiegids

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Political Economy: Asia

Vak
2019-2020

Tags

GED

Admissions requirements

Introduction to Comparative Politics.

Description

This course offers an introduction to the political economy of contemporary South, Southeast, and East Asia. Economic development in Asia poses a number of striking puzzles: while harboring the world’s fasted growing economies, Asian countries differ considerably in terms of economic development and income levels. And while the state is playing an important role in economies throughout Asia, the ‘developmental state’ has sometimes generated highly collusive relationships between the worlds of business and politics. Focusing on these puzzles, our central task is to explore the interaction between politics and economic performance across countries and over time, both theoretically and empirically. Along the way, we will address issues such as the role of the state in economic development, corruption and rent-seeking, environmental politics, democracy, political institutions, the character of Asia’s tycoons, reform and adjustment.

By the end of the course, students will have a firm grasp on the basic debates about politics and economic performance in Asia. Students will be able to evaluate critically various theoretical explanations for why particular countries have grown or stagnated, and will understand how to examine the internal logic of these explanations by engaging in comparisons between countries and time periods.

Course objectives

After successful completion of this course, students are able to:

Knowledge

  • describe and think critically about key debates and perspectives concerning the political economy of South, Southeast and East Asia

  • Assess the interrelatedness of economic development, political regimes, and the social and cultural contexts of South, Southeast and East Asia

Skills

  • analyze academic literature pertaining to the themes discussed in the weekly seminars

  • Formulate an original research question and write an academic essay on a subject of choosing related to the course content.

Timetable

Once available, timetables will be published in the e-Prospectus.

Mode of instruction

The course is conducted in seminar-style meetings. This requires thorough preparation through the study of the compulsory readings and active engagement on the part of the students. Class meetings will include short lectures, moderated plenary and group discussions as well as student presentations. The attendance of classes is compulsory.

Assessment

Student performance will be assessed in four ways:

  1. In-class participation (10%)
  2. Webpostings (30%)
  3. Presentations (30%)
  4. Exam (30%)

Blackboard

There will be a Blackboard site available for this course. Students will be enrolled at least one week before the start of classes.

Reading list

A list of compulsory reading will be provided in the class schedule. Students are asked to access the compulsory readings via the university library electronically and/or at the course reserve shelf at the Wijnhaven Library on Turfmarkt 99, The Hague.

Registration

This course is open to LUC students and LUC exchange students. Registration is coordinated by the Education Coordinator. Interested non-LUC students should contact course.administration@luc.leidenuniv.nl.

Contact

Dr. Elena Burgos Martinez