Political Science

This course investigates the political, strategic, and institutional dynamics shaping Northeast Asia—a region home to major powers, contested histories, nuclear tensions, and economic interdependence. It examines the evolving regional order through both theoretical lenses and case-based analysis. Topics include great power competition, alliance politics, nationalism and identity, historical memory, economic security, and digital sovereignty. Students analyze how state and non-state actors interact within shifting geopolitical conditions and regional governance structures. The course also explores how transnational challenges—such as the chip war, data governance, and human rights—intersect with traditional security and diplomatic agendas. Through engagement with readings, expert lectures, and structured debates, students develop a critical understanding of the region’s complexities and its global implications.

This course, together with International Relations (II) in the spring semester, provides an overview of International Relations for political science majors and other interested students. The course aims to provide the following: a foundation in the study of international relations; an ability to apply international relations theory to discuss real-world politics; an overview of global politics; the ability to read academic texts in English, and oral and written communication skills in the English language.

This course focuses on contemporary international institutions aimed at addressing matters of pressing global concern. It is, most of all, concerned with the practical policy challenges of governance: what should be done to reduce violence and promote peace, justice, and human rights, and how can these goals be achieved in a world of finite resources and competing interests? The course begins by introducing the range of actors in global governance. Students then reflect on major theoretical approaches concerning the origins and efficacy of global institutions, asking 'when do institutions matter, and how?' The second half of the module applies these analytic lenses to case studies including disarmament, humanitarian intervention, the International Criminal Court, and the human rights regime. 

This course explores the ways the two Koreas, North and South, have coped with the dictate of international politics since the national division. It examines this question by highlighting and explaining the defining characteristics of the both systems in the context of their respective political change, economic development, national security, human rights and response to globalization as results of their respective choices of national survival, political development and economic prosperity.

Prerequisite: Introductory course on Korean politics

Comparative Politics is a systematic introduction to an important branch of political science. This course uses the concept of universality and cross country comparisons to study the workings of a country’s political system. Course topics include research methodology of comparative politics, theoretical and practical issues of major concern, main conceptual and analytical frameworks, and the latest empirical research findings. Those who complete the course gain a basic understanding of the important literature of the comparative politics and are able to begin a high level course in comparative politics. 

The course is a combination of lecture and class discussion. Students are required to finish the assigned reading before each class. Students should complete three reading notes in one semester. There will be a closed-book examination in the middle and at the end of the term.