Asia-Pacific Security

This course introduces theoretical and policy approaches to the study of conflict, cooperation, and regional order and applies them to the contemporary Asia-Pacific region, including East and Southeast Asia and the South Pacific. Specific topics covered will include developing great power rivalry in Asia; inter-state and intra-state conflicts; maritime security; a range of so-called 'non-traditional' and 'human security' challenges, including transitional crime, economic security and terrorism issues; and the role of regional institutions such as ASEAN, the ARF, APEC and the East Asian Summit in addressing current security issues. These will be examined within the overall idea of ‘regionalism’, meaning whether the Asia-Pacific is developing as a specific security region in the international system.

Current theories of international security, including schools of realism and liberalism but also newer approaches such as critical theory, will be used to explain trends in the study of security issues in the region.

This course is taught at Peking University (Beijing) as part of the China Europe International Summer School (CEISS). CEISS is a collaboration between Fudan University (China), Peking University (China), Utrecht University (Netherlands), Freie Universität Berlin (Germany), Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (Italy) and Edvance Education International (China), offering summer courses that explore the world's main economic, social and political trends and themes and the way they impact on the economies and societies of Europe and China.

This course can be combined with
- Dynamics of the Chinese Economy (Fudan University, 4 - 15 July 2016)
- Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Europe and China (Fudan University, 4 - 15 July 2016)
- The Chinese Marketplace: Globalization and Local Transformation (Fudan University, 4 - 15 July 2016)
- China, the US, Europe and the Rise of Asia: Ideas, Culture and Perceptions (Peking University, 4 - 15 July 2016)
- Intellectual Property Law and Policy in China (Peking University, 4 - 15 July 2016)
- Highlights of Law and Economics (Utrecht University, 4 - 15 July 2016)
- European Cultures and Identities (Utrecht University, 4 - 15 July 2016)
- European Politics and Economy (Utrecht University, 4 - 15 July 2016)

Course leader

Dr. Marc Lanteigne

Target group

Students of the social sciences, including economics and business, political sciences, European studies, history, culture studies and sociology, the sciences and engineering at senior undergraduate level with an interest in culture, society and politics. A wide range of interests will help, but no specific expertise is required.