Course Description
Social, cultural, and political processes in contrasting East Asian nations, including China, Japan, and Korea. Both domestic and international issues will be examined.
Athena Title
E ASIAN POL SYS
Semester Course Offered
Not offered on a regular basis.
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
Students will be able to appreciate the historical conditions that the led to the rise of the Chinese, Japanese, and Korean empires and how their fates has been shaped by contact with western powers. Students will also learn about statist models of development, their strengths and weaknesses. Finally, students will gain a deeper understanding of the current political conflicts between North and South Korea and between China and Taiwan and the ambiguous relationship between Japan and the United States.
Topical Outline
1. What shapes countries: history, culture, and institutions 2. The historical background of East Asian politics 3. Contact with western powers 4. Transitioning from authoritarianism to democracy 5. Becoming modern: industrialization by emulation 6. Industrialization and democratization: inevitably linked? 7. The strength and weaknesses of statist economic development 8. Limits to growth: development vs. environment?