Spring 2026 - POL 446W D100
International Relations in East Asia (4)
Class Number: 2641
Delivery Method: In Person
Overview
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Course Times + Location:
Jan 5 – Apr 10, 2026: Wed, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
Burnaby
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Instructor:
Tsuyoshi Kawasaki
kawasaki@sfu.ca
1 778 782-3086
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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:
Course Description:
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 in a step-by-step manner: bibliographies, proposals, first and second drafts, and final papers). The course will analyze international relations in East Asia, focusing in particular on the security policies of the major powers of the region, as well as on key issues, especially diplomatic and security ones. The most successful students may include their POL446W research papers as writing samples in their graduate program applications.
Course Times:
Wednesday 2:30-5:20 PM
Grading
- Participation and short journals 32%
- Book report 8%
- Proposal 20%
- Research paper 40%
Materials
REQUIRED READING:
Rozman, Gilbert. Strategic Triangles Reshaping International Relations in East Asia. Oxford: Routledge, 2022. We will use an electronic version available via the SFU Library. Journal articles will be assigned as well (available in Canvas).
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:
Registrar Notes:
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS
At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.
To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit:
- SFU’s Academic Integrity Policy: S10-01 Policy
- SFU’s Academic Integrity website, which includes helpful videos and tips in plain language: Academic Integrity at SFU
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.