Politics and Security in the Asia-Pacific (8297.3)

The Asia-Pacific is a dynamic region undergoing rapid political, economic and social change. Despite providing unprecedented opportunities for development, such transformations have also exacerbated various challenges to stability and inter-state relations. In building on these considerations, the unit explores the most critical political and security issues facing the region today. Such issues range from North Korea and the South China Sea through to resource security, disease and transnational crime. As these issues cannot be understood in isolation, the unit will also explore how the politics and security of the region have been affected by other factors such as history, nationalism and the rise of democratic institutions. The course will build on the key issues and concepts taught in the 'International Relations' unit.

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
1. Identify key concepts used in the security studies;
2. Apply and compare the main foundational theories of security studies;
3. Analyse the major structural changes in the Asia Pacific and their ramifications; and
4. Examine contemporary security issues and conceptualise these problems in their historical context.

Graduate attributes

1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively
1. UC graduates are professional - use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems
2. UC graduates are global citizens - think globally about issues in their profession

Prerequisites

675 Politics and Democracy OR 9548 Introduction to Politics OR 8296 Introduction to Politics and Government OR 9549 Introduction to Western Political Thought

Corequisites

None.

Incompatible units

9565 Asia-Pacific Politics

Assumed knowledge

None.