COLLEGE OF LAW, GOVERNMENT AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES

UNIVERSITI UTARA MALAYSIA

DIVISION OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
______________________________________________________________________
COURSE CODE:
GFPP 2333
COURSE NAME:
EAST ASIAN POLITICS
PRE-REQUISITE:
NONE
COURSE VENUE:
DKG 6/20
LECTURER: DR. RIE NAKAMURA
DAY & TIME: MONDAY & THURSDAY, 2:30 PM 4:00 PM
CONSULTATION HOUR:
BY APPOINTMENT
OFFICE ROOM:
ROOM 130 (Building of the International Studies)
OFFICE TEL: 928-8545
EMAIL:
rie@uum.edu.my or rnakamura23@gmail.com

1.0

SYNOPSIS
This course focuses on basic knowledge of East Asian political historical
studies, which included several countries in the region, such as China, North and
South Korea, Japan and certain territories like Taiwan and Hong Kong. It
includes various fields of studies such as governance, economic, politics,
security, social and international relations relating to countries in the East Asian
region. The involvement of great power states such as the United States of
America, Russia and other European nations will also be included in the studies.
The studies will concentrate on the fundamental element of the history of this
region from the period of Opium War until the present.

2.0

OBJECTIVES
Upon completion of the course, students are expected to
2.1.

acquire knowledge of basic theories, concepts, and questions of

empirical nature in East Asian politics.

2.2.
2.3
2.4

3.0

LEARNING OUTCOME
Upon completion of the course, students will be able to
3.1
3.2

3.3
3.4

4.0

enhance knowledge on the history, government and political-economy of

the East Asian region.
examine problems of the East Asian economic development.
analyse the possible steps that could be taken to improve the relationship
between the countries in the East Asian region.

identify the basic theories and concepts concerning knowledge on the

history and political development in the East Asian countries (C4, A4).
demonstrate an understanding of the history, governing structure, as well
as the political and economic system of the countries in East Asia
through readings and selected study cases (C4, A4).
analyse the political-economic development problems of countries in the
East Asian region (C4, A3).
apply theories and concepts in determining the possible steps that could
be taken to improve the relationship between countries in the East Asian
region (C4, A2).

REFERENCE
Ebrey, Patricia, Anne Walthall & James Palais. (2009). East Asia: A cultural,
social and political history, second edition. Boston & New York:
Houghton Mifflin Company
Goldman, Merle & Andrew Gordon. (Ed.) (2000). Historical perspectives on
contemporary East Asia. Cambridge, Massachusetts & London: Harvard
University Press.
Mackerras, Colin. (Ed.) (2000). Eastern Asia: An introductory history, third
edition. Australia: Longman.
Mohd. Noor Yazid. (2000). Politik antarabangsa Asia Pasifik.
Kuala Lumpur: Utusan Publications & Distributors Sdn. Bhd.
Murphey, Rhoads & Kristin Stapleton. (2010). East Asia: A new history, fifth
edition. Boston, Columbus, Indianapolis, New York, San Francisco,

Upper Saddle River, Amsterdam, Cape Town, Dubai, London, Madrid,

Milan, Munich, Paris, Montreal, Toronto, Delhi, Mexico City, Sao Paulo,
Sydney, Hong Kong, Seoul, Singapore, Taipei, Tokyo: Longman

5.0

CONTENT
Date

Content

Week1
Feb. 23 & 26

Introduction of the course

1. Explanation of the course
2. formation of the project groups
Traditional East Asian international relations
1. Where is East Asia?
2. Chinas tributary relationships (civilized China
vs. uncivilized barbaric countries)
3. Opium war (China)

Week 2
March 2 & 5

Japanese open trade with USA and the Meiji

Restoration
1. Isolation policy to open policy (Japan)
2. Meiji Restoration

Week 3
March 9 & 12

Japanese Imperialism and East Asia

1. The 1st Sino Japanese war
2. :The Boxers rebellion

Week 4
March 16 &
19

Post Opium war China

1. The Russo Japanese war
2. Xinhai revolution

Week 5
March 23 &
26

Post WWI China

1. Manchurian incident
2. The 2nd Sino Japanese war

Week 6
March 30 &
April 2

The Pacific War (WW II)

Japanese colonial domination and anti colonial
movements
1. Taiwan
2. Korea
Post- War Japan and the influence of the Cold War

Notes

Submission
of research
paper topic

1.

Post war Japan

Week 7
April 6 & 9

2. The Korean War (1950-1953)

Post- War China
KMT vs. CCP

Week 8
April 20 & 23

Students presentation of their research paper

Week 9
April 27 & 30

Students presentation of their research paper

Week 10
May 4 & 7

Students presentation of their research paper

Week 11
May 11 & 14

1. Great leap forward

2. Cultural revolution
The post war Taiwan

Week 12
May 18 & 21

The post war Korea

The East Asia in the post cold war
1. Chinas open policies
2. Normalization of Japan-China relations

Week 13
May 25 & 28

The East Asia in the post cold war

3. Normalization of Japan-Korea relations
4. Normalization of Korea- Chinese relations

Week 14
June 1 & 4

East Asia and regional organizations

East Asia in the Globalization era

6.0

7.0

Submission
of the draft
of research
paper

Submission
of Research
paper

TEACHING METHOD
Lectures, presentation and discussions

ASSESSMENT
Coursework
60%
Presentation (30 points)
Individual paper (70 points)
The submission of the topic of individual paper March 19 (4:00 pm)

The submission of the first draft April 20 (4:00 pm)

The submission of the final paper May 25 (4:00 pm)
Final Examination
40%

8.0

ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS
8.1 Please ensure that all mobile phones are SWITCHED OFF throughout lecture
hours.

8.2The late submission of any assignments will not be accepted.

8.3 Please note that the students whose assignment contains elements of
academic dishonesty plagiarism, cheating, or any means to obtain credit
for academic work through fraudulent, deceptive or dishonest means will
receive NO mark for the assignment.