Description
The events of 11 September 2001 demonstrated the vulnerability of states to the threat posed by terrorists. The subsequent US-led ‘war on terrorism’, however, has focused not only on non-state actors willing to commit acts of violence to achieve political ends, but also against ‘rogue states’ and transnational criminals. International Relations scholars and practitioners are discussing the nature of these ‘outlaws’ and where they are situated within the International Relations literature.
This module focuses on the contribution of the English School conception of an interstate society to explain the role of outlaws in the international relations of East Asia. Students will acquire an in depth knowledge of both of International Relations theory and practice. Students will employ this knowledge to understand and interpret how interstate societies define and respond to threats posed by ‘outlaws’.
The course is divided into four sections. In the first section, students will examine the contribution of the English School to International Relations theory and debate the extent to which the English School’s conception of an ‘interstate society’ can be applied to the East Asian region, what the pitfalls of applying this conception might be and how those pitfalls might be overcome.
In the second, third and fourth sections, students will use the theoretical knowledge gained at the start of the course to interpret the behaviour of politically motivated outlaws, economically motivated outlaws, and so-called rogue states. Specifically, the second section will distinguish between terrorism and separatism in the East Asian region. The third section will examine piracy and transnational crime in East Asia. The fourth section will evaluate the extent to which North Korea, Vietnam and Myanmar can be labeled as ‘rogue states’. Although many of the actors and states studied in this course are located in Southeast Asia, this course will focus on how these ‘outlaws’ relate to or have been tackled by Japan, China and South Korea.
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
Successful completion of BA3 Focus Theories and Issues in the International Relations of East Asia in the first semester is required for students (major/keuzevak) who want to take this course. A good knowledge of Japanese is also indispensable (for TCJK Thesis Track Students).
Please note that for those students who have not completed the BA3 Semester I Course Theories and Issues in the International Relations of East Asia, there is an additional reading to help you prepare for this course available on blackboard.
Admission requirements can be waived with the agreement of Dr. L. Black in consultation with both the TCC and TCJK Examinations Committees.
Course objectives
This module aims to provide a critical examination of key issues and processes related to the international relations of East Asian states from the perspective of the English School. 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 defining outlaw behaviour in the interstate society of East Asia. Students will also assess to what extent the concept of an interstate society can be usefully applied to the East Asian region.
Apply conceptual tools to analyze the impact of outlaws upon the interstate society of East Asia and evaluate interstate responses to outlaws.
Demonstrate appropriate cognitive, communicative and transferable skills, develop the capacity for independent learning, critique major texts on the English School and on the international relations of the East Asian region, 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
Bellamy, Alex, J. Ed. 2005. International Society and its Critics, Oxford: Oxford University Press
Hurrell, Andrew. 2008. On Global Order – Power, Values, and the Constitution of the International Society. Oxford: Oxford University
Burke, Anthony and McDonald, Matt. Eds. 2007. Critical Security in the Asia-Pacific. Manchester: Manchester University Press.
Additional Readings to Prepare for BA3 Outlaws Course
To give you theoretical background:
Burchill, Scott. and Linklater, Andrew. 2005. Theories of International Relations, Burchill, Scott. et. al. New York and Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
- Read Introduction, Realism, Liberalism and Constructivism + either Feminism or Critical Theory.
To show you how the ‘main’ IR theories might be applied to the East Asian region:
Kim, S. 2004. “Northeast Asia in the Local-Regional-Global Nexus: Multiple Challenges and Contending Explanations”. In The International Relations of Northeast Asia (Asia in World Politics), ed. Kim, S. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
To highlight some of the problems of International Relations Theory for East Asia:
Acharya, Amitav and Buzan, Barry. 2007. “Why is there no non-Western international Relations Theory?”. International Relations of the Asia-Pacific 7(3): 287-312.
To demonstrate how scholars have applied IR theory to East Asia:
Shambaugh, David. 2004/5. “China Engages Asia – Reshaping the Regional Order”. International Security 29(3): 64-99.
Khoo, Nicholas, Smith, Michael, L.R. and Shambaugh, David. 2005. “Correspondence – China Engages Asia? Caveat Lector.” International Security 30(1): 196-213.
To understand Critical Theory in East Asia (read at least one of the following):
Beeson, Mark. 2006. “American ascendancy: conceptualizing contemporary hegemony”. In Bush and Asia – America’s evolving relations with East Asia, ed. Beeson, Mark. Abingdon and New York: Routledge.
Lee-Koo, Katrina. 2007. “Security as enslavement, security as emancipation: gendered legacies and feminist futures in the Asia-Pacific”. In Critical Security in the Asia-Pacific, eds. Burke, Anthony and McDonald, Matt. Manchester: Manchester University Press.
Elliott, Lorraine. 2007. “Harm and emancipation: making environmental security ‘critical’ in the Asia-Pacific”. In Critical Security in the Asia-Pacific, eds. Burke, Anthony and McDonald, Matt. Manchester: Manchester University Press.
Test method
Research Element: One Essay of up to 3,000 words (40%)
Analytical Element: One Critical Literature Review up to 1,500 words (20%)
Participation(40%) in classes, web posts, discussions, one presentation and attendance
Time table
For more information, check time table.
Contact
For further information about the course, please contact Dhr. 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 (PowerPoint presentations, 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
For information on the Thesis track requirements, please contact Dhr. Dr. L. Black
ECTS: 5.0 (non-thesis track) 10.0 (thesis track TCC/TCJK)
Level: 300 (non thesis track) 400 (thesis track)