Description
Japan is often described as an “economic giant, but a political pygmy” and not a ‘normal state’ in the field of International Relations. Whilst policy makers and analysts focused on Japan’s economic rise since the 1960s, recent literature has highlighted Japan’s growing political and security role in global affairs since the end of the Cold War. Japan’s evolving role can be perceived both in terms of Japan’s attempt to gain a security council seat at the UN, as well as in the participation of Japan’s Self-Defence Force (SDF) in Peace Keeping Operations (PKOs). Yet, Japan’s contemporary international relations are constrained by a variety of factors and forces including Japan’s Pacifist Constitution, Japan’s security and economic relationship with the US, and historical animosities between Japan and its neighbours. Understanding how these factors and forces operate is the key to interpreting the complexities of Japan’s international relations.
This module is divided into five sections. The first section will provide an overview of Japan’s international relations and outline how the theoretical tools of structure, agency and norms, can help explain Japan’s international relations. In the second to fourth sections, students will employ this theoretical framework to examine Japan’s contemporary economic, political and security relations with the United States, East Asia, Europe and global institutions. The course concludes by discussing the future of Japan’s International Relations in terms of globalization and regionalism.
The issues addressed in this course will have relevance to a number of disciplines. Students should draw on previous work they have done in other academic fields and demonstrate their knowledge in seminars, as well as in their assessed work. It is also hoped that students will apply the knowledge they gain through studying theories and issues in the international relations of East Asia to other courses they are taking.
Students will be expected to use additional sources to those in the suggested reading list.
Teaching method
Lectures and seminars
Admission requirements
Some background in modern East Asian politics and international relations would be useful, but not necessary.
Course objectives
This module aims to provide a critical examination of key issues and processes related to the international relations of Japan. The focus of this module is on developments since World War Two, but with a particular emphasis on the post-Cold War period. By the end of the module, students will be able to:
Demonstrate an understanding of the complex issues and processes related to Japan’s political, economic and security relations.
Apply conceptual tools to analyze key events and processes in the international relations of Japan.
Demonstrate appropriate cognitive, communicative and transferable skills, develop the capacity for independent learning, critique major texts on Japan’s international relations, and participate in class debates.
Course load
24 Hours of classes
72 Hours of reading and web post responses/class preparation (6 hours per week over 12 weeks)
24 Hours to complete the Research Essay
10 Hours to prepare for the debate
10 Hours to prepare for the Essay Plan
140 Hours in Total for 5 ECTS
Required reading
Hook, Glenn, D., Gilson, Julie, Hughes, Christopher, W., and Dobson, Hugo (2001), Japan’s International Relations – Politics, Economics and Security, London and New York: Routledge
Berger, T., Mochizuki, M. and Tsuchiyama, J. (eds.) (2007) Japan in International Politics – The Foreign Policies of an Adaptive State, Boulder, Colorado: Lynne Rienner
Test method
Research Element: One essay of up to 2,000 words (40%)
Analytical Element: One essay plan (20%)
Participation (40%) in classes, web posts, discussions, one debate and attendance
Time table
For more information, check Time table.
Contact
For further information about the course, please contact Dr. L. Black
Registration
Via U-twist, check: enrollment
Blackboard
A handbook denoting weekly readings will be posted on blackboard the week before the start of the semester.
Additional information (powerpoints, useful websites, etc…) will also be found on blackboard over the course of the semester.
Students are also required to submit five web posts (short responses to seminar questions based on the weekly readings) over the course of the semester.
Remarks
None