International Relations of East Asia
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
This course introduces students to the international relations of East Asia in a context characterized
by China's rise and by the growing rivalry with the United States. Focused on China's foreign policy
and its impact on the region, the course addresses a broad set of related issues, including: China's
domestic political system and its foreign policy decision-making process; the modernization of
China's armed forces; the Taiwan issue and Beijing's evolving policy toward Taipei; China's regional
diplomacy and its behaviour in territorial disputes; China's attitude toward international order in the
region and beyond. In addressing these issues, the course also looks at the interactions between
China's foreign policy and the policies implemented by other East Asian countries and by actors from
outside the region (the United States, Russia, India, as well as the European Union, including both its
institutions and some of its member states)
by China's rise and by the growing rivalry with the United States. Focused on China's foreign policy
and its impact on the region, the course addresses a broad set of related issues, including: China's
domestic political system and its foreign policy decision-making process; the modernization of
China's armed forces; the Taiwan issue and Beijing's evolving policy toward Taipei; China's regional
diplomacy and its behaviour in territorial disputes; China's attitude toward international order in the
region and beyond. In addressing these issues, the course also looks at the interactions between
China's foreign policy and the policies implemented by other East Asian countries and by actors from
outside the region (the United States, Russia, India, as well as the European Union, including both its
institutions and some of its member states)
Expected learning outcomes
By the end of the course, students will have acquired understanding of the key issues pertaining to
China's rise, the rivalry between China and the United States, and the implications for the East Asian
region and beyond. They will have developed their ability to critically engage with such issues by
applying the relevant concepts and frameworks of International Relations theory. Moreover, they will
have gained the ability to gather information on these issues autonomously, based on a correct
identification of the appropriate sources.
China's rise, the rivalry between China and the United States, and the implications for the East Asian
region and beyond. They will have developed their ability to critically engage with such issues by
applying the relevant concepts and frameworks of International Relations theory. Moreover, they will
have gained the ability to gather information on these issues autonomously, based on a correct
identification of the appropriate sources.
Lesson period: Third trimester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Third trimester
Course syllabus
The first part of the course investigates the sources of China's foreign policy, with a focus on three broad topics: the role of historical legacies and China's official discourse on the past; China's domestic political system and the foreign policy decision-making process; Chinese perceptions of the international system and its transformations. The second part of the course looks at China's foreign policy behaviour in the region and beyond, addressing issues such as China's regional diplomacy, conflict and cooperation in territorial disputes, the use of force in China's foreign policy, China's attitude toward the US-led international order, the Belt and Road Initiative.
Prerequisites for admission
Although the course is open to all students, irrespective of their background, a preliminary knowledge of Contemporary History and International Relations Theory is assumed.
Teaching methods
While the focus of the lectures is on China's foreign policy, attending students will be involved in case-studies on the foreign policy of other East Asian states and the way they have been coping with China's rise. At the end of the course, these case-studies will be compared in a final discussion aimed at identifying trends in the East Asian region at large.
Teaching Resources
For attending students:
Lecture notes, papers for the case-studies, plus one of the following books:
- M. Taylor Fravel, Strong Borders, Secure Nation. Cooperation and Conflict in China's Territorial Disputes (Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2008).
- Andrea Ghiselli, Protecting China's Interests Overseas. Securitization and Foreign Policy (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2021).
- Zheng Wang, Never Forget National Humiliation. Historical Memory in Chinese Politics and Foreign Relations (New York: Columbia University Press, 2012).
For non-attending students:
Chi-Kwan Mark, China and the World since 1945. An International History (Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield, 2010) plus one of the following books:
- M. Taylor Fravel, Strong Borders, Secure Nation. Cooperation and Conflict in China's Territorial Disputes (Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2008).
- Andrea Ghiselli, Protecting China's Interests Overseas. Securitization and Foreign Policy (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2021).
- Zheng Wang, Never Forget National Humiliation. Historical Memory in Chinese Politics and Foreign Relations (New York: Columbia University Press, 2012).
Lecture notes, papers for the case-studies, plus one of the following books:
- M. Taylor Fravel, Strong Borders, Secure Nation. Cooperation and Conflict in China's Territorial Disputes (Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2008).
- Andrea Ghiselli, Protecting China's Interests Overseas. Securitization and Foreign Policy (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2021).
- Zheng Wang, Never Forget National Humiliation. Historical Memory in Chinese Politics and Foreign Relations (New York: Columbia University Press, 2012).
For non-attending students:
Chi-Kwan Mark, China and the World since 1945. An International History (Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield, 2010) plus one of the following books:
- M. Taylor Fravel, Strong Borders, Secure Nation. Cooperation and Conflict in China's Territorial Disputes (Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2008).
- Andrea Ghiselli, Protecting China's Interests Overseas. Securitization and Foreign Policy (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2021).
- Zheng Wang, Never Forget National Humiliation. Historical Memory in Chinese Politics and Foreign Relations (New York: Columbia University Press, 2012).
Assessment methods and Criteria
For attending students, the final evaluation will be based on: (1) active participation during classes and the presentation of the assigned papers (30 percent of the final mark); and (2) a written exam at the end of the course (70 percent of the final mark). For non-attending students, the final evaluation will be based on a written exam.
SPS/04 - POLITICAL SCIENCE - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Professor:
Dossi Simone
Shifts:
Turno
Professor:
Dossi SimoneEducational website(s)
Professor(s)
Reception:
On Tuesdays from 2.30 to 5.30 pm (in person or online via Teams). Students are kindly requested to make an appointment in advance via email.
Dipartimento di Studi internazionali, giuridici e storico-politici, via Conservatorio 7, 1st floor, room 8