Courses:

The aim of this lecture course is to introduce and analyze the international relations of East Asia. With four great powers, three nuclear weapons states and two of the world's largest economies, East Asia is one of the most dynamic and consequential regions in world politics. During the Cold War, East Asia witnessed intense competition and conflict between the superpowers and among the states in the region. In the post-Cold War era, the region has been an engine of the global economy while undergoing a major shift in the balance power whose trajectory and outcome remain uncertain. This course will examine the sources of conflict and cooperation in both periods, assessing competing explanations for key events in East Asia's international relations. Readings will be drawn from international relations theory, political science and history.

Requirements for 17.433 (Undergraduate)

There will be two in-class short-answer exams. The exams will draw on material from both the readings and lectures. Students will also be required to write two analytical take-home essays on questions that will be assigned during the course. The first essay will be approximately 1,500 words in length, while the second essay will be approximately 3,000 words. Attendance is mandatory, including recitations.

Grades will be determined as follows:

Students may enroll in the graduate version of this course only with the instructor's permission. Graduate students are expected to read an additional 150 pages per week listed as "recommended" (for 17.433) in the readings section. These readings will assist students in mapping the academic literature on East Asia's international relations in preparation for further study or research projects.

Graduates must write two essays as well as two book précis. These 3,000-3,600 word essays will be synthetic, integrating the empirical data and the theories introduced in the course, and require students to think broadly about the key variables shaping the international relations of the region. A précis is a concise book summary of approximately 600 words to be selected from the list at the end of assignments section.

Grades will be determined as follows:

Stay Current

Stay abreast of current developments through the Asia sections of the Washington Post, New York Times, BBC and Pacific Forum: Comparative Connections.

Disabilities

If you have a disability and require accommodations, please contact me immediately so that appropriate arrangements can be made.

Extensions

Make-up exams or extensions will not be granted except in case of emergency and in all cases require a note from the Dean or your doctor. Late work will be penalized by one third of a grade for each day that the assignment is late (e.g., a B to B-). The key dates for assignments in this course are outlined in the calendar.

Plagiarism

Plagiarism will not be tolerated. Plagiarism is "a piece of writing that has been copied from someone else and is presented as being your own work." This includes ideas as well as specific phrases, sentences or paragraphs. Do not misrepresent your own work. See Avoiding Plagiarism from MIT's Writing Center and MIT's rules regarding academic honesty.