The Indo-Pacific is arguably the world’s most economically and politically dynamic region. Made up of 40 countries, three of the world's largest economies — the People's Republic of China (China), India and Japan — are in this part of the world. But despite nuclear, territorial, and historical tensions, growing superpower competition, and cross-border threats from crime to the environment, the region has remained relatively peaceful and stable since 1945.
In this module, you will seek to understand the most urgent security issues in the Indo-Pacific region and develop the knowledge and skills to provide nuanced and concise policy advice on them. You will begin by exploring the puzzle of the region’s stability by practically applying lessons from international relations theories and analyse what rising US-China competition means for regional states and the future of the region. You will then explore and analyse some key security challenges in the region in depth: such as the risk of war over the Taiwan Straits
nuclear proliferation on the Korean peninsula
and territorial disputes in the South China Sea. You will develop skills delivering policy advice about these challenges through group exercises about hypothetical and real-life crises, as well as developing your own written policy memos and briefings.
Lecture 10, Workshop 22
Group Presentation. Assessment Details: Group Presentation worth 30%.
Extended Writing. Assessment Details: 2,500 Words Policy Briefing worth 70%. This Assessment is Pass Compulsory.
Reassessment Method: Like for like
On successfully completing the module, students will be able to:
1) Develop and apply systematic expertise in key Indo-Pacific political and security challenges, including the roles of key state and non-state actors that shape the politics of the Indo-Pacific region.
2) Critically analyse how key international relations theories can be used to inform policymaking on security issues in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond.
3) Apply their knowledge of the region and international relations theories to provide critical analysis of and make judgements upon the future of security dynamics in the Indo-Pacific.
4) Prepare and deliver effective briefings for a policy audience, analysing and suggesting proposals in the process.
5) Effectively articulate well-reasoned and informed arguments in both written assignments and discussions, showing a capacity to engage with complex ideas and debates within the field of international relations.
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