Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2025 - POL 446W D100

International Relations in East Asia (4)

Class Number: 3768

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Wed, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    Eight upper division units in political science or permission of the department.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

An overview and analysis of international relations in East Asia. Writing.

COURSE DETAILS:

Strongly recommended: POL141 and/or POL341.


Course Details:

This is an advanced-level, writing-intensive seminar course for which a full-fledged research paper project is the key component (the students will conduct independent research and submit proposals, first drafts, and final papers).  The course will analyze international relations in East Asia, focusing in particular on the security perceptions and policies of the major powers of the region, as well as on key issues, especially diplomatic and security ones.  The in-class activities are divided into two large segments.  First, in order to establish a common factual-knowledge base in class, we will first (in four sessions) read the dense and detailed history book listed in the required reading section below, for which a book report is assigned.  Second, seminar sessions will follow, with student presentations and discussion, focusing on various themes.  Throughout, each student will work on a research paper project under the instructor’s systematic guidance.  At the end of the course, the students will submit their research papers.   The most successful students may include their POL446W research papers as writing samples in their graduate program applications.

Course Times:

Wednesday  2:30pm-5:20pm

Grading

  • Participation (including weekly journals) 30%
  • Book report 30%
  • Research paper 40%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Alice Lyman Miller and Richard Wich, Becoming Asia: Change and Continuity in Asia International Relations since World War II (Standford, CA: Stanford University Press, 2011) [paperback and electronic]  ISBN: 978-0-8047-17151-1


In addition, journal articles will be assigned.


REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Department Undergraduate Notes:

The Department of Political Science strictly enforces a policy on plagiarism.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the university community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the university. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the university. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.