This course reviews the process of social, political and economic modernization in Asia. It is a multi-disciplinary course that facilitates the students to acquire the foundational knowledge of Asian power politics and dynamic changes, covering topics of political history, political culture, political economy and foreign relations of major powers in the region. With an emphasis on comparative politics it will analyze the pattern of Asian democratization: the drivers and obstacles. The course will also assess key IR issues affecting regional security, e.g. US Asia pivot, China’s rise and power transition and Japan’s normalization drive.

CILO-1: Enumerate major political, economic, social, and intellectual characteristics of the key states of Asia. CILO-2: Investigate the roots of Asian economic success, the current situation in the region. CILO-3: Evaluate and critically assess the new power politics of Asia. CILO-4: Explain how geographical and historical forces may have shaped Asian states, and how historical, social, political, economic, and cultural factors shaped the grand strategies of key Asia powers. CILO-5: Conduct basic scholarly research, express ideas, and construct evidence-based arguments in presentations, classroom discussions, and some written assessments.