Political Science

An important part of diplomatic work, economic diplomacy is based on international political economy, international economics, and international economic law. Course topics include the theoretical framework and role of economy in diplomacy; the functions, characteristics, rules and objectives of economic diplomacy; the forms and means of economic diplomacy; and policy effects of economic diplomacy.

The course covers basic concepts and theories of contemporary debates and issues in security affairs of Northeast Asia. The course studies basic concepts, theories and logic that are useful for making sense of contemporary security issues. It then surveys several important issues in regional security with frequent use of recent historical examples. Topics include realism and military security; liberalism and cooperative security and arms control; constructivism and human security; domestic politics and international security; hegemony and military security; coercive diplomacy; alliances in northeast Asia; US-China competition; Japan`s security policy; North Korea`s nuclear challenge; Rok and peace in the Korean peninsula; and the US grand strategies and the future of NEA regional order.

This course uses a regional approach to highlight the main areas of conflict on the African continent. Using a reading grid based on an understanding of the spatial logics of actors in conflict, drawn from both history and the analysis of very contemporary phenomena and current events, this course differentiates between types of space and isolates their more or less belligerent characteristics. Drawing extensively on geography and the sociology of actors (polemology), this geopolitical analysis of the African continent uses methodological tools such as cartography and satellite imagery, as well as numerous readings, to review all of the continent's conflict zones. Examples highlight the use of geopolitical reasoning by political, military, and humanitarian decision-makers, as well as by economic players.

This course will introduce

1) Diplomatic system, including the historic evolution of diplomacy, diplomatic manners and principles, and diplomatic bureaucracy and staff establishment.

2) Content and process of bilateral diplomacy, including functions of bilateral diplomacy, diplomatic negotiations and diplomatic treaties as results.

3) The trend of contemporary diplomacy, including summit diplomacy, multilateral diplomacy, mediation, public diplomacy, and collaborative diplomacy.

4) The characteristics, style, and development of Chinese diplomacy, such that students will gain systematic understanding of diplomacy’s effects in contemporary international relations, and learn basic diplomatic affairs knowledge and skills.