Institutions and Political Process in Asia
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
The course focuses on the decision-making process in the institutional arenas of two important East Asian countries, the People's Republic of China and Japan.
The aim of the course is to provide the critical tools necessary to understand and analyze in a historical and comparative perspective the political change, institutions and political systems that have developed in these two countries since the Second World War, with reference to the evolution of the relationship between state and society. The comparison of these two cases will allow the discussion of some features of East Asian politics.
The aim of the course is to provide the critical tools necessary to understand and analyze in a historical and comparative perspective the political change, institutions and political systems that have developed in these two countries since the Second World War, with reference to the evolution of the relationship between state and society. The comparison of these two cases will allow the discussion of some features of East Asian politics.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course, students will know the decisive aspects of the political change, institutions and political systems that have developed in China and Japan since World War II. They are expected to be able to understand the historical and social factors that have influenced the political evolution of the two countries.
The tools acquired during the course will enable students to critically analyze the most recent events and connect them to local and international historical dynamics, to key concepts of international studies learnt in other courses.
Finally, the students will be able to develop critical and judgmental skills and communication skills through the examination of primary and secondary sources, involvement in presentations and class discussions.
The tools acquired during the course will enable students to critically analyze the most recent events and connect them to local and international historical dynamics, to key concepts of international studies learnt in other courses.
Finally, the students will be able to develop critical and judgmental skills and communication skills through the examination of primary and secondary sources, involvement in presentations and class discussions.
Lesson period: Third trimester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Third trimester
Course syllabus
The course consists of two parts: the first devoted to China, the second to Japan. Each part includes a brief overview of the country's political history, a presentation of institutions and decision-making processes, and a discussion of the role of non-state actors in politics. The first part considers the evolution of the Chinese state from the end of the imperial age to the post-Maoist era and introduces key issues concerning the relationship between the Chinese Communist Party and state institutions. The second part will explore Japan's political history since the Meiji period, the main actors involved in decision-making (parliament, government, bureaucracy) and the emerging prominence of non-state actors. In the final part of the course, students will analyse specific aspects of the political processes in the two countries through in-depth case studies.
Prerequisites for admission
A basic knowledge of contemporary history is recommended.
Teaching methods
Lectures, group work with textual sources and presentations in the classroom.
Teaching Resources
Attending students:
Saich, Tony. Governance and Politics of China. 4. ed. London New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2015 (cap. 4, 7).
Lieberthal, Kenneth G et al. China's Political Development : Chinese and American Perspectives. Washington, D.C: Brookings Institution Press, 2014 (capp. 5, 11).
Pekkanen, Robert J et al. The Oxford Handbook of Japanese Politics. Oxford: Oxford university press, 2022 (capp. 4, 5, 6, 13).
Neary, Ian. The State and Politics in Japan. Second edition. Cambridge, UK: Polity Press, 2019 (cap. 8).
Materials for the presentations to be planned at the beginning of the course.
Studenti non frequentanti:
Mitter, Rana. Modern China : A Very Short Introduction. 2. ed. New York: Oxford University Press, 2016 (capp. 2, 3).
Goto-Jones, Christopher. Modern Japan : A Very Short Introduction. Oxford: Oxford University press, 2009 (capp. 1-5).
Saich, Tony. Governance and Politics of China. 4. ed. London New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2015 (cap. 4, 7).
Lieberthal, Kenneth G et al. China's Political Development : Chinese and American Perspectives. Washington, D.C: Brookings Institution Press, 2014 (capp. 5, 11).
Pekkanen, Robert J et al. The Oxford Handbook of Japanese Politics. Oxford: Oxford university press, 2022 (capp. 4, 5, 6, 13).
Neary, Ian. The State and Politics in Japan. Second edition. Cambridge, UK: Polity Press, 2019 (cap. 8).
Saich, Tony. Governance and Politics of China. 4. ed. London New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2015 (cap. 4, 7).
Lieberthal, Kenneth G et al. China's Political Development : Chinese and American Perspectives. Washington, D.C: Brookings Institution Press, 2014 (capp. 5, 11).
Pekkanen, Robert J et al. The Oxford Handbook of Japanese Politics. Oxford: Oxford university press, 2022 (capp. 4, 5, 6, 13).
Neary, Ian. The State and Politics in Japan. Second edition. Cambridge, UK: Polity Press, 2019 (cap. 8).
Materials for the presentations to be planned at the beginning of the course.
Studenti non frequentanti:
Mitter, Rana. Modern China : A Very Short Introduction. 2. ed. New York: Oxford University Press, 2016 (capp. 2, 3).
Goto-Jones, Christopher. Modern Japan : A Very Short Introduction. Oxford: Oxford University press, 2009 (capp. 1-5).
Saich, Tony. Governance and Politics of China. 4. ed. London New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2015 (cap. 4, 7).
Lieberthal, Kenneth G et al. China's Political Development : Chinese and American Perspectives. Washington, D.C: Brookings Institution Press, 2014 (capp. 5, 11).
Pekkanen, Robert J et al. The Oxford Handbook of Japanese Politics. Oxford: Oxford university press, 2022 (capp. 4, 5, 6, 13).
Neary, Ian. The State and Politics in Japan. Second edition. Cambridge, UK: Polity Press, 2019 (cap. 8).
Assessment methods and Criteria
Written exam with the aim of assessing the knowledge of the themes dealt with by the programme, the capacity to interpret them in a critical manner and to espouse them with an adequate terminology. For attending students, the final evaluation will be based on: (1) active participation during classes and the presentation of the assigned material (30 percent of the final mark); and (2) a written exam at the end of the course (70 percent of the final mark). For non-attending students, the final evaluation will be based on a written exam.
SPS/14 - ASIAN HISTORY AND INSTITUTIONS - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Professor:
Dornetti Filippo
Professor(s)
Reception:
Friday from 2:00 to 5:00 pm.
Videocall on Microsoft Teams. An appointment request in advance via email will be appreciated.