Asia in International Relations Lecturer: Radka Havlová E-mail: radka.havlova@vsci.cz Requirements: Total 100 points Assessment criteria Max. number of points Presentation/Seminar paper 30 Final test 60 Active attendance 10 Total 100 Description of requirements: 1. Presentation: short presentation for max. 25 minutes on selected topic. List of proposed topics is included in the lecture plan below. Presentations are to be sent for review at least 3 days before the scheduled presentation date. alternatively can be replaced by Seminar paper: 8-10 pages; topics to be agreed with the lecturer. Must refer well to resources, elaborate topics in an academic manner (intro incl. research question, analysis, conclusion) Choose either seminar paper or presentation, do not do both!!! If you do not submit a seminar paper or hold a presentation you can not pass the course! Max. 30 points 2. Final test: summary test on major issues related to Asia in IR max. 60 points 3. Active attendance: 1 bonus points for each seminar attended, max. 10 points for semester, students are expected to actively participate in class discussions Lecture plan Week Date Lecture topic 1. 14.2. Introduction to Asia in international relations 2. 21.2. Middle East in international relations. Arab spring. Turkey and the Gulf states in international relations 3. 28.2. Israeli-Palestinian conflict 4. 7.3. Failed states in Asia: Yemen, Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan in international relations. Iran in international relations 5. 14.3. Central Asia in international relations 6. 21.3. India in international relations 7. 28.3. China in international relations 8. 4.4. Japan and Korean peninsula in international relations 9. 11.4. Southeast Asia in international relations 10. 18.4. No lecture, state holidays 11. 25.4. Asia and the Great Powers (USA, Russia, EU). International organizations in Asia. Asia and Africa. Asia and Latin America 12. 2.5. Final test Presentation topics Week Date Presentations 2. 21.2. 1. Turkey under President Erdogan 2. Position of women in the Middle East 3. 28.2. 3. Jerusalem in Israeli-Palestinian conflict 4. USA and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict 4. 7.3. 5. Civil war in Yemen/Syria 6. Irani nuclear program 7. Current situation in Afghanistan 5. 14.3. 8. Russia and Central Asia 9. China and Central Asia 6. 21.3. 10. India under Prime Minister Modi 11. China-Indian relations 7. 28.3. 12. Belt and Road Initiative 13. One China policy 14. One Child policy and its impacts on China 8. 4.4. 15. Japan-Chinese relations 16. South China sea dispute 17. North Korean nuclear program 9. 11.4. 18. Islam in Indonesia 19. ASEAN 20. Singapur in IR 21. Terrorism and security problems in Southeast Asia 10. 18.4. No classes 11. 25.4. 22. Relation of selected great power to Asia (case study) 23. Asian great powers: sources of power, main obstacles of development (case study) Seminar paper topics 1. Comparison of China’s and India’s involvement in Africa (e.g. the issue of oil) 2. Relations between the United States and India 3. Terrorism in Asia 4. Relations of Pakistan with China and the United States 5. Comparison of Pakistan and Bangladesh (as former members of one state) 6. Impact of development in neighboring Afghanistan on Pakistan and regional stability 7. India’s involvement in the civil war in Sri Lanka and its resolution 8. India’s economic development and its impact on India’s position in international relations 9. China’s economic development and its impact on China’s position in international relations 10. Japan’s economic development and its impact on Japan’s position in international relations 11. Maoist insurgency in Nepal and its results 12. Analysis of the development aid provided to poor countries of Asia 13. Political dimension of integration in Southeast Asia (ASEAN) 14. Overseas Vietnamese (Vietnamese minorities) in Europe / the Czech Republic 15. Overseas Chinese in Southeast Asia / the United States 16. Minorities and migrant workers in Southeast Asia 17. Can Asian countries become truly democratic and respect human rights? 18. Effects of the Cold War in South Asia / Southeast Asia / Northeast Asia 19. Effects of the global economic crisis in Asia 20. Piracy on main sea lanes, its consequences for Asian countries and its solution 21. Organized crime and drugs in Asia (e.g. the Golden Triangle) 22. One China Policy and its consequences (e.g. relations with developing countries; membership of Taiwan in the United Nations etc.) 23. Taiwan: Reunification with China or independence? 24. Relations between Australia and China 25. Achievements and drawbacks of peacekeeping and nation-building operations (e.g. East Timor) 26. Reform of the UN Security Council: Should Japan / India / Indonesia become permanent members? 27. Comparison of Germany and Japan (e.g. their position in international relations, relations with their neighbours, acceptance of their responsibility for WWII etc.) 28. Arguments for/against membership of China in ASEAN 29. Role of China / India / Thailand in Burma (Myanmar) – e.g. comparison of Sudan and Burma 30. Reunification of the Korean Peninsula 31. Effects of UN sanctions / or US sanctions (e.g. sanctions against Myanmar or North Korea) 32. Nuclear states and nuclear weapons in Asia 33. US military bases and US military involvement in Asia 34. Technological and scientific cooperation between the United States and Japan 35. China’s military and the effects of its modernization 36. Relations between Russia and Japan (e.g. the issue of Kuril Islands) 37. Japan’s official development aid and its analysis 38. Mongolia: the effect of its mineral resources on Mongolia’s position in international relations 39. Czechoslovak and Czech relations with Mongolia / Vietnam / Syria 40. Film industry and its connection with country’s image and position in the world (e.g. India, South Korea, Hong Kong, Kazakhstan / Borat) 41. Water and Central Asia 42. Security implications of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization 43. Taliban / Al Qaida and consequences of their activities in Asia 44. Oil and its effects on Persian Gulf countries and their position in international relations 45. U.S. relations with Israel and implications for U.S. foreign policy 46. Russian Jews in Israel and implications for relations between Russia and Israel 47. Palestinian state: its establishment and consequences of its existence 48. Consequences of U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003 49. Should there be a foreign military intervention to resolve the situation in Syria? 50. Iran as a regional power: strengths and weaknesses 51. Any topic agreed with me 52. Comparison of China’s and India’s involvement in Africa (e.g. the issue of oil) 53. Relations between the United States and India 54. Terrorism in Asia 55. Relations of Pakistan with China and the United States 56. Comparison of Pakistan and Bangladesh (as former members of one state) 57. Impact of development in neighbouring Afghanistan on Pakistan and regional stability 58. India’s involvement in the civil war in Sri Lanka and its resolution 59. India’s economic development and its impact on India’s position in international relations 60. China’s economic development and its impact on China’s position in international relations 61. Japan’s economic development and its impact on Japan’s position in international relations 62. Maoist insurgency in Nepal and its results 63. Analysis of the development aid provided to poor countries of Asia 64. Political dimension of integration in Southeast Asia (ASEAN) 65. Overseas Vietnamese (Vietnamese minorities) in Europe / the Czech Republic 66. Overseas Chinese in Southeast Asia / the United States 67. Minorities and migrant workers in Southeast Asia 68. Can Asian countries become truly democratic and respect human rights? 69. Effects of the Cold War in South Asia / Southeast Asia / Northeast Asia 70. Effects of the global economic crisis in Asia 71. Piracy on main sea lanes, its consequences for Asian countries and its solution 72. Organized crime and drugs in Asia (e.g. the Golden Triangle) 73. One China Policy and its consequences (e.g. relations with developing countries; membership of Taiwan in the United Nations etc.) 74. Taiwan: Reunification with China or independence? (e.g. comparison with Kosovo or Tibet) 75. Relations between Australia and China 76. Achievements and drawbacks of peacekeeping and nation-building operations (e.g. East Timor) 77. Reform of the UN Security Council: Should Japan / India / Indonesia become permanent members? 78. Comparison of Germany and Japan (e.g. their position in international relations, relations with their neighbours, acceptance of their responsibility for WWII etc.) 79. Arguments for/against membership of China in ASEAN 80. Role of China / India / Thailand in Burma (Myanmar) – e.g. comparison of Sudan and Burma 81. Reunification of the Korean Peninsula 82. Effects of UN sanctions / or US sanctions (e.g. sanctions against Myanmar or North Korea) 83. Nuclear states and nuclear weapons in Asia 84. US military bases and US military involvement in Asia 85. Technological and scientific cooperation between the United States and Japan 86. China’s military and the effects of its modernization 87. Relations between Russia and Japan (e.g. the issue of Kuril Islands) 88. Japan’s official development aid and its analysis 89. Mongolia: the effect of its mineral resources on Mongolia’s position in international relations 90. Czechoslovak and Czech relations with Mongolia / Vietnam / Syria 91. Film industry and its connection with country’s image and position in the world (e.g. India, South Korea, Hong Kong, Kazakhstan / Borat) 92. Water and Central Asia 93. Security implications of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization 94. Taliban / Al Qaida and consequences of their activities in Asia 95. Oil and its effects on Persian Gulf countries and their position in international relations 96. U.S. relations with Israel and implications for U.S. foreign policy 97. Russian Jews in Israel and implications for relations between Russia and Israel 98. Palestinian state: its establishment and consequences of its existence 99. Consequences of U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003 100. Should there be a foreign military intervention to resolve the situation in Syria? 101. Iran as a regional power: strengths and weaknesses You can also choose your own topic – please discuss the topic with me in advance. You do not have to inform me about your selected topic from the list above, unless you need to consult the topic. Final written test: Example of questions 1. Describe India as an actor in international relations, its current problems, position and role in the region. What do you see as its weaknesses and strengths when it comes to its position in international relations? 2. Describe India and its foreign policy, its relations with neighbours and major powers (China, US, Russia, EU). Do you expect significant changes in India’s position in international relations? Please explain. 3. Describe Indonesia as an actor in international relations, its current problems, position and role in the region. What do you see as its weaknesses and strengths when it comes to its position in international relations? 4. Describe Indonesia and its foreign policy, its relations with neighbours and major powers (China, US, Russia, EU). Do you expect significant changes in Indonesia’s position in international relations? Please explain. 5. Describe Japan as an actor in international relations, its current problems, position and role in the region. What do you see as its weaknesses and strengths when it comes to its position in international relations? 6. Describe Japan and its foreign policy, its relations with neighbours and major powers (China, US, Russia, EU). Do you expect significant changes in Japan’s position in international relations? Please explain. 7. Describe China as an actor in international relations, its current problems, position and role in the region. What do you see as its weaknesses and strengths when it comes to its position in international relations? 8. Describe China and its foreign policy, its relations with neighbours and major powers (US, Russia, EU). Do you expect significant changes in China’s position in international relations? Please explain. 9. Describe Iran as an actor in international relations, its current problems, position and role in the region. What do you see as its weaknesses and strengths when it comes to its position in international relations? 10. Describe Iran and its foreign policy, its relations with neighbours and major powers (China, US, Russia, EU). Do you expect significant changes in Iran’s position in international relations? Please explain. 11. Describe Turkey as an actor in international relations, its current problems, position and role in the region. What do you see as its weaknesses and strengths when it comes to its position in international relations? 12. Describe Turkey and its foreign policy, its relations with neighbours and major powers (China, US, Russia, EU). Do you expect significant changes in Turkey’s position in international relations? Please explain. 13. Describe the interests of the United States in Asia and its relations with Asian countries. Provide at least three of its strong points and three of its weak points when it comes to the position of the United States in Asia. 14. Describe the interests of Russia in Asia and its relations with Asian countries. Provide at least three of its strong points and three of its weak points when it comes to the position of Russia in Asia. 15. Describe the interests of China in Asia and its relations with Asian countries. Provide at least three of its strong points and three of its weak points when it comes to the position of China in Asia. 16. Describe the interests of European countries (the European Union and EU member states) in Asia, their relations with Asian countries and their role in Asia’s history. Provide at least three of its strong points and three of its weak points when it comes to the position of the European Union in Asia. 17. What are the specifics and main problems of South Asia? Provide at least five different determinants/topics influencing the relations of external powers with South Asia. 18. What are the specifics and main problems of Southeast Asia? Provide at least five different determinants/topics influencing the relations of external powers with Southeast Asia. 19. What are the specifics and main problems of Northeast Asia? Provide at least five different determinants/topics influencing the relations of external powers with Northeast Asia. 20. What are the specifics and main problems of Central Asia? Provide at least five different determinants/topics influencing the relations of external powers with Central Asia. 21. What are the specifics and main problems of Western Asia? Provide at least five different determinants/topics influencing the relations of external powers with Western Asia. Literature 1. Breslin, Shaun. Handbook of China's International Relations (Routledge International Handbooks), 2015, ISBN 9781857438017 2. Havlová, Radka (eds.). Untangling the Mayhem: Crises and Prospects of the Middle East, 2018, ISBN 9783631740927 3. HINNEBUSCH, Raymond. The international politics of the Middle East, 2015, ISBN 9780719053467 4. Hua, Shiping. Routledge Handbook of Politics in Asia, 2018, ISBN 9781317238737 5. Chang, Teh-Kuang and Angelin Chang. Routledge Handbook of Asia in World Politics, 2017, ISBN 9781317404262 6. Conflict Barometer, Heidelberg Institute for Conflict Resolution, www.hiik.de 7. The Uppsala Conflict Data Program, ucdp.uu.se News sources 1. http://www.atimes.com 2. http://www.carnegieendowment.org 3. http://www.nbr.org 4. http://www.xinhuanet.com/english2010 5. http://english.aljazeera.net 6. http://www.hindustantimes.com/