1

East Asia—Past and Present

IAFF 2091-10
[CRN 76098]

Spring 2020
Mondays and Wednesdays 12:45-2:00pm, Media and Public Affairs Bldg, room 310
Dr. Robert Sutter (e-mail) sutterr@gwu.edu (phone) 202-994-5886
Office Hours, Room 503K 1957 E St NW: Weds. 2:15-4:15pm, and by appointment.
Office hours are “first come, first served”--usually not too busy.

The Course provides a broad survey of East Asia, focusing on China, Japan, Korea and
Southeast Asia. There is emphasis on modern history and salient contemporary political,
economic, security and cultural-intellectual issues and developments.

Course Goals:

A systematic introduction to the complex range of variables and experiences

affecting the peoples and governments of East Asia.
Familiarity with competing perspectives and debates regarding a number of key
issues in East Asia’s development up to the present.
Demonstrated ability to synthesize and analyze course materials and present well-
reasoned assessments in written assignments and in-class discussion.

Learning Outcomes
At the end of the course, students should understand the range of determinants and
influences in East Asian development and contemporary affairs. They should be prepared
to discern areas for possible further study or professional work regarding East Asia. They
also will be more experienced in and better prepared to assess systematically other broad
academic or professional topics.

Average minimum amount of out-of-class learning expected per week. Including

preparations for papers and other assignments—6.5 hours per week.

Classes: The format involves lectures and class discussion. Prior to most classes, the
instructor will provide discussion questions and talking points that are designed to assist
students in focusing on important matters in doing the required readings and coming to
class with that understanding, using it during class discussion. Please keep in mind that
given the clashing interests in and numerous debates about various developments in East
Asia up to the present, the instructor is not aiming to teach students “the right way” to
think about East Asia: Past and Present. Rather, he strives to use the required readings,
study questions, talking points and comments in class to insure that students have fuller
exposure to a broad scope of information and analysis so that they can write coherent,
well informed and well balanced assessments in the essays that make up the main student
assignments in this class, and thereby achieve the learning outcome of this class.

Assignments
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1. Each student will prepare a 5 pages, double spaced paper analyzing or assessing some
aspect(s) of the required readings for one of the class meetings during the course. The
paper should be well organized, well sourced and well written. It will start with a brief
summary (about 150 words) and will be sent to the instructor and all in the class by 11
pm on the day before the class meeting. Failure to meet that deadline will result in a
lower grade. All students will read at least the 150 word summary of each paper before
coming to class. Time permitting, the instructor may call on the student paper writers to
answer a question or offer a brief (e.g., 1 minute) comment on aspects of their papers. If
students choose to focus their paper on an aspect or aspects mentioned but not fully
treated in the required readings, more research is required. The instructor is available for
consultation, as needed, by email, (briefly) after class, during office hours, or by
appointment.

 Students should be guided in this and other writing assignments in this class by the
memo on the elements of a good five page essay (on Blackboard)

2. A mid-term examination will involve a) part 1 (20 points): Writing--in the classroom
and within a time limit--three sentences each defining, explaining or otherwise
identifying ten items from a list of prominent people, events, concepts, etc. covered in the
course material; and b) part 2 (80 points): Writing--outside of the classroom with free
access to class and other materials--one well organized, well sourced and well written
essay of 5 doubled spaced pages in response to one of the questions provided by the
instructor.

3. Students will do an analytical assessment, research paper, or policy memorandum of

10 double spaced pages on a subject and using a format mutually agreed upon by the
student and professor. Students are very strongly urged in their paper to decide and focus
on ONE central question that the paper will answer and to organize the presentation of
the paper to effectively answer the ONE question. For student guidance, a “Road Map” of
three steps to follow in doing this writing assignment is posted under “outline” on
Blackboard. The instructor will provide some questions as examples and will be available
for consultation as needed by email, (briefly) after class, during office hours, or by
appointment. He also is happy to review by email any student’s brief (one paragraph)
paper proposal giving the ONE question the paper will answer, and any student’s one
page outline showing in clear and logical sequence the steps that the paper will take in
answering the paper’s One question.

Grading:

Five page paper—25%

Mid-term examination—30%
10 page paper—45%

Grade scale: A 94 and above; A- 90.00-93.99; B+ 89.99-87.0; B 86.99-84.0; B- 83.99-

80.00; etc.
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Regular class attendance and pertinent contributions in class discussion are expected.
Their absence will affect the final grade.

Late work will not be accepted unless previously cleared with the instructor or because of
illness or emergency

Readings:

Assignments average about 200 pages a week. The required assignments are designed to
provide both specific information to be discussed in class, and general familiarity with
the scholarly and specialist literature regarding issues in East Asia: Past and Present and
differing perspectives and interpretations regarding those issues. The subject matter of the
readings sometimes overlaps, reinforcing understanding and presenting different
perspectives. As noted above, prior to most classes, the instructor will provide discussion
points and questions that are designed to assist students in focusing on important matters
in doing the required readings and coming to class prepared to understand and at times
contribute to discussion in class.

A copy (or copies) of every required assigned reading not otherwise provided has been
requested to be put on reserve in the Library.

Books.

Students are to read the assigned readings from the required texts for this course. The
required texts are:

Mark Borthwick, Pacific Century: The Emergence of Modern Pacific Asia (fourth
edition) Westview Press, 2014

Charles Holcombe, A History of East Asia (second edition) Cambridge University Press,
2017

Robert Sutter, The United States and Asia (second edition) Roman & Littlefield, 2020

(These books have been ordered for sale at the University Bookstore and have been
requested to be put on reserve at Gelman library.)

A few additional readings may be assigned during the course.

“News Notes”:

Students are encouraged to read about East Asian issues in prominent newspapers,
regional publications (some examples are: Wall Street Journal (Asia edition), China
Daily, Times of India, Straits Times, South China Morning Post, Japan Times, Korea
Herald), and other foreign affairs electronic and print publications (e.g. Foreign Affairs,
Washington Quarterly, Economist) and to share information on Asia-related events on
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campus and in the Washington DC area. Generally, the first five minutes of each class
will be devoted to discussing such material.

Useful in this regard are e-publications and sites including:

The tri-annual e-journal Comparative Connections published by CSIS Pacific Forum. Use
their web-site (https://www.pacforum.org/) to access other useful items, especially the
Pacnet newsletter. See also www.eastasiaforum.org [weekly editorials covering issues in
the Asia-Pacific region]; http://www.nbr.org [useful for updates of the Strategic Asia
publications used in the course]; and http://www.taiwansecurity.org and The Party Watch
Initiative https://www.ccpwatch.org/
[both useful on China and Taiwan related issues in particular]

************************************************************************
University policies and services--please see attached Appendix for 3 pages of
important material on this subject.
******************************************************************************

Meetings and Assignments

1. January 13. Organization and Introduction. Early Chinese civilization.

Borthwick, 1-12, 13-21, 26-29; Holcombe 25-59, 72-80, 95-114. Elizabeth Laurus
Politics and Society in Contemporary China pp. 13-21 (on Blackboard)

2. January 15. Early modern China.

Borthwick, 25, 31-34, 38-39, 43-44, 47-50; Holcombe 132-149, 167-183. Laurus Politics
and Society in Contemporary China pp. 22-25 (on Blackboard)

3. January 22. Early Korea and Japan.

Borthwick, 21-26, 29-31, 36-38, 39-47; Holcombe 81-94; 114-131; 149-166

4. January 27. Historic Southeast Asia and the coming of the West.
Borthwick, 51-70, 73-84, 94-108. Holcombe, 199-216.

5. January 29. East Asian art--brief introductions to traditional East Asian art.
Review videos for meeting 5 on Blackboard.
Visit Freer Gallery of Art (located on National Mall just west of Smithsonian
Castle)12:45-1:20pm OR 1:25-2:00pm

6. February 3. Nineteenth Century China: Challenge and Response.

Borthwick, 84-94, 97, 99-101, 103, 109-113; 136-141; Holcombe, 217-235; Laurus
Politics and Society in Contemporary China pp. 25-29 (on Blackboard)

7. February 5. Early 20th Century China: Challenge and Response. Borthwick, 144-146,
157-159, 168-186, 151-153; 162-180; Holcombe 259-273. Laurus Politics and Society in
Contemporary China pp. 29-37 (on Blackboard)

8. February 10. Japan and the West: Challenge and Response.

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Borthwick, 113-156; Holcombe 240-255; Milton Meyer Japan: A Concise History chpts.
10-12 (on Blackboard).

9. February 12. Japanese development, militarism and the Pacific War.

Borthwick, 197-225; Holcombe 278-310; Fairbank, Reischaurer, Craig East Asia:
Tradition and Transformation p 648-725 (on Blackboard); Sutter US and Asia (2020) 12-
15, 19-31.

10. February 19. Nationalism in Korea and in Southeast Asia.

Borthwick, 157-168, 186-197, 226-236; Holcombe, 183-187, 199-216; 235-240, 273-
278; Victor Cha, “Powerplay: Origins of the U.S. Alliance System in East Asia,”
International Security 34, 3 (Winter 2009-2010), p 158-196 [Blackboard electronic
reserves]

11. February 24. China under Mao.

Borthwick, 413-426; Holcombe 359-369; William Joseph ed. Politics in China p. 72-116
(on Blackboard); Laurus Politics and Society in Contemporary China pp. 37-55 (on
Blackboard).

12. February 26. Japan’s rise after 1945. Borthwick 237-270; Holcombe 311-329;
Michael Yahuda, International Politics of the Asia Pacific (2011) “Japan and the Asia
Pacific” p 160-174 (on Blackboard)

13. March 2. Cold War in Asia. Borthwick, 371-412; Sutter, 31-41; Holcombe 330-340;
350-355; Donald Weatherbee International Relations of Southeast Asia p. 63-87 (on
Blackboard).

14. March 4. Mid Term Examination—do Part One in class beginning at 12:45.

15. March 9. Post Cold War trends; Spreading Capitalism and Development in Asia.
Sutter, The US and Asia (2020) 45-62; Borthwick 271-322; Holcombe 317-329 (review);
340-349; 369-398; Ming Wan The Political Economy of East Asia p. 131-160 (on
Blackboard).

16. March 11. China under reform.

Borthwick 426-472; Holcombe 369-377 (review); 390-398 (review); Joseph Politics in
China p. 119-146 (on Blackboard)

17. March 23. Political and Economic trends in Contemporary East Asia, including
Democracy and Multilateralism.

Borthwick, (review) 426-472; 473-500; 523-560;

Ming Wan The Political Economy of East Asia p. 171-192 (on Blackboard);
Edward J. Lincoln, “The Asian Regional Economy,” in David Shambaugh & Michael
Yahuda (eds.), International Relations of Asia, ch. 13. [on Blackboard]
Mireya Solís and Jeffrey D. Wilson, “From APEC to mega-regionals: the evolution of the
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Asia-Pacific trade architecture” The Pacific Review Vol. 30, No. 6 (September 2017)
[Blackboard electronic reserves]

18. March 25. Contemporary Southeast Asia—salient issues

Borthwick, (review) 473-500

Sutter, The US and Asia (2020) 195-251
Michael Yahuda The International Politics of the Asia-Pacific (2019) 255-276 [on
Blackboard soon]
David Shambaugh, “U.S.-China Rivalry in Southeast Asia, International Security Vol.42, No. 4
(Spring 2018) p. 85-127[On Blackboard e-reserves]
Amitav Acharya, “The Myth of ASEAN Centrality?” Contemporary Southeast Asia Vol. 39,
No. 2 (August 2017) [Blackboard electronic reserves]

19. March 30. The problem of North Korea.

Sutter, 143-161
North Korea: US Relations, Nuclear Diplomacy and Internal Situation. The Library of
Congress, Congressional Research Service, CRS Report R41259 (most recent update)
(unless otherwise noted, please search for this and other such items on Google using
author and title)
North Korea: What 18 Months of Diplomacy Has and Has Not Achieved The Library of
Congress, Congressional Research Service August 2019 (or more recent update)

20: April 1. Assessing South Korea’s ascendance

Sutter, 161-169
Strategic Asia 2003-2004, 109-130 (Victor Cha, “South Korea: anchored or adrift”) [on
Blackboard]
Scott A. Snyder, Darcie Draudt, and Sungtae “Jacky” Park, “The Korean Pivot: Seoul’s
Strategic Choices and Rising Rivalries in Northeast Asia,” Council on Foreign Relations
February 2017
U.S.-South Korea Relations Washington DC: Library of Congress Congressional
Research Service Report R41481 (search on Google for most recent update)
South Korea: Background and US Relations Library of Congress Congressional Research
Service December 11, 2019

21. April 6. Japan’s stagnation and implications

Sutter, 175-208
Kenneth Pyle and Eric Higginbotham, “Japan,” in Richard Ellings and Aaron Friedberg
eds. Strategic Asia: Power and Purpose 2001-2002 p.71-128 (on Blackboard)
Michael Auslin, Japan’s National Power in a Shifting Global Balance, Strategic Asia
2015-2016, 57-89 (on Blackboard)
The US-Japan Alliance Washington DC: The Library of Congress Congressional
Research Service Report (January 2019 or more recent version) p. 1-46
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22. April 8. Russia and East Asia

Borthwick, 501-522
Sutter 291-318
Strategic Asia 2017-2018 45-72 [on Blackboard]
Russia-China Relations: Strategic Implications and US Policy Options NBR 2018

23. April 13. The United States, Asia and China’s Rise (1) background and recent
developments

Sutter 5-12, 45-106

China’s Economic Rise: Congressional Research Service Report RL33534 (Washington
DC: Library of Congress) June 25, 2019 summary page and pp. 5-37
Orville Schell and Susan Shirk, US Policy toward China (New York: The Asia Society,
2017) pp 10-15, 65-66
Timothy Heath and William Thompson, “Avoiding US-China Competition is futile: Why
the Best Option Is to Manage Strategic Rivalry,” Asia Policy Vol. 13, No. 2 (April 2018)
91-120 [On Blackboard e-reserves]
National Security Strategy of the United States December 2017
https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/NSS-Final-12-18-2017-
0905.pdf [discussion of Asian issues]
Liza Tobin, “Underway—Beijing’s Strategy to Build China into a Maritime Great
Power,” Naval War College Review Vol. 71, No. 2 (2018) [On Blackboard e-reserves] p.
17-18, 35-41
Cory Bennett and Bryan Bender, “How China acquires ‘the crown jewels’ of U.S.
Technology,” Politico May 22, 2018
Valerie Niquet “Chinese Objectives in High Technology Acquisitions and Integration of
Military and Civilian Capabilities: A Global Challenge Foundation pour la Recherche
Strategique, March 7, 2018

24. April 15. The United States, Asia and China’s Rise (2) background and recent
developments

Sutter 1-5, 106-136

“Special Report: China and America,” The Economist May 18, 2019, 3-16 [On
Blackboard e-reserves]
“China is not an enemy” Washington Post July 3, 2019
Evan Medeiros, “China Reacts: Assessing Beijing’s Response to Trump’s New China
Strategy,” The China Leadership Monitor March 1, 2019
Orville Schell and Susan Shirk, Course Correction: Toward and Effective and
Sustainable China Policy Asia Society and University of California San Diego Task
Force Report, February 2019 p. 7-47
Larry Diamond and Orville Schell, Chinese Influence & American Interests (Stanford:
Hoover Institution Press, 2018) p. ix-8
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Susan Thornton, “Is American Diplomacy with China Dead?,” The Foreign Service
Journal (July-August 2019)

25. April 20. Contemporary Taiwan

Holcombe 383-390
David Gitter and Robert Sutter “Taiwan’s Strong But Stifled Foundations of National
Power” January 2016 (on Blackboard)
Steven Goldstein, “Taiwan: Asia’s Orphan” November 2016 (on Blackboard)
Taiwan: Issues for Congress, Congressional Research Service Report 44996 summary
page and p. 38-49.
“The US Taiwan Embrace Despite China’s Objections But Will It Last?” PACNET
November 12, 2019
Taiwan: Select Political and Security Issues Congressional Research Service December
12, 2019

26. April 22. India, Australia and East Asia

Sutter, p. 233-284
John Hill, “Challenges for India’s Military Strategy,” National Bureau of Asian Research,
Strategic Asia 2017-2018 p, 141-174 [on Blackboard--see meeting 22 Strategic Asia
volume]
Sumit Ganguly, “India and China: On a Collision Course? Pacific Affairs Vol. 91, No. 2
(June 2018) [on Blackboard]
Satu Limaye Comparative Connections January 2019 (or if available January 2020)
Nick Bisley, “Australia’s Strategic Culture and Asia’s Changing Regional Order,”
National Bureau of Asian Research December 2016.
Graeme Dobell Comparative Connections September 2019
http://cc.pacforum.org/2019/09/scott-morrison-donald-trump-and-the-indo-pacific/

27. April 27. The United States, China and East Asia—strengths and weaknesses.

Dennis Blair, “A strong foundation but weak blueprint for national security,” Strategic
Asia 2015-2016, 224-258 (on Blackboard)
Christopher Layne, “The US-Chinese Power Shift and the end of the Pax Americana,”
International Affairs, Volume 94, Issue 1, 1 January 2018, Pages 89–111 [Gelman Library
search articles]
“China’s Foreign Policy Vision during Xi Jinping’s Second Term and the United States”
Chapter 10 “Outlook” in Robert Sutter Foreign Relations of the People’s Republic of
China (Rowman & Littlefield 2018) [on Blackboard]

28. April 29 Prospects

Jennifer Lind, “Life in China’s Asia: What Regional Hegemony Would Look Like”
Foreign Affairs (March-April 2018) [On Blackboard e-reserves]
Hugh White, Without America Australia in the new Asia (view video)
https://www.quarterlyessay.com.au/essay/2017/11/without-america
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And reactions by Michael Green and Evan Medeiros, David Shambaugh, Andrew Shearer
and Kim Beasley [on Blackboard]
Sutter, 319-334
Sutter talking points for Dec 9, 2019 Sigur Center book launch (on Blackboard)
Ashley Tellis, “U.S.-China Competition for Global Influence,” Strategic Asia 2020 NBR
2020 [on Blackboard]
U.S. Announces Preliminary Phase One Trade Deal with China, Congressional Research
Service December 19, 2019

10-page paper due room 503 K, 1957 E St NW 4 PM Tuesday May 5

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APPENDIX [University Policies and Services]

University Policies & Services

Academic Integrity Code

Academic dishonesty is defined as cheating of any kind, including misrepresenting one's

own work, taking credit for the work of others without crediting them and without
appropriate authorization, and the fabrication of information. For details and complete
code, see: studentconduct.gwu.edu/code-academic-integrity

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities

Any student who may need an accommodation based on the potential impact of a
disability should contact the Disability Support Services office at 202-994-8250 in the
Rome Hall, Suite 102, to establish eligibility and to coordinate reasonable
accommodations. For additional information see: disabilitysupport.gwu.edu/

Religious Observances

In accordance with University policy, students should notify faculty during the first week
of the semester of their intention to be absent from class on their day(s) of religious
observance. For details and policy, see: https://registrar.gwu.edu/university-
policies#holidays

Mental Health Services 202-994-5300

The University's Mental Health Services offers 24/7 assistance and referral to address
students' personal, social, career, and study skills problems. Services for students include:
crisis and emergency mental health consultations confidential assessment, counseling
services (individual and small group), and referrals. For additional information see:
counselingcenter.gwu.edu/

Emergency Preparedness and Response Procedures

The University has asked all faculty to inform students of these procedures, prepared by
the GW Office of Public Safety and Emergency Management in collaboration with the
Office of the Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs.

To Report an Emergency or Suspicious Activity

Call the University Police Department at 202-994-6111 (Foggy Bottom) or 202-242-6111

(Mount Vernon).

Shelter in Place – General Guidance

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Although it is unlikely that we will ever need to shelter in place, it is helpful to know
what to do just in case. No matter where you are, the basic steps of shelter in place will
generally remain the same.
• If you are inside, stay where you are unless the building you are in is affected.
If it is affected, you should evacuate. If you are outdoors, proceed into the
closest building or follow instructions from emergency personnel on the
scene.
• Locate an interior room to shelter inside. If possible, it should be above
ground level and have the fewest number of windows. If sheltering in a room
with windows, move away from the windows. If there is a large group of
people inside a particular building, several rooms maybe necessary.
• Shut and lock all windows (for a tighter seal) and close exterior doors.
• Turn off air conditioners, heaters, and fans. Close vents to ventilation systems
as you are able. (University staff will turn off ventilation systems as quickly as
possible).
• Make a list of the people with you and ask someone to call the list in to UPD
so they know where you are sheltering and who is with you. If only students
are present, one of the students should call in the list.
• Await further instructions. If possible, visit GW Campus Advisories for
incident updates (http://CampusAdvisories.gwu.edu) or call the GW
Information Line 202-994-5050.
• Make yourself comfortable and look after one other. You will get word as
soon as it is safe to come out.

Evacuation

An evacuation will be considered if the building we are in is affected or we must move to

a location of greater safety. We will always evacuate if the fire alarm sounds. In the event
of an evacuation, please gather your personal belongings quickly (purse, keys, GWorld
card, etc.) and proceed to the nearest exit. Every classroom has a map at the door
designating both the shortest egress and an alternate egress. Anyone who is physically
unable to walk down the stairs should wait in the stairwell, behind the closed doors.
Firemen will check the stairwells upon entering the building.

Once you have evacuated the building, proceed to our primary rendezvous location: the
court yard area between the GW Hospital and Ross Hall. In the event that this location is
unavailable, we will meet on the ground level of the Visitors Parking Garage (I Street
entrance, at 22nd Street). From our rendezvous location, we will await instructions to re-
enter the School.

Alert DC
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Alert DC provides free notification by e-mail or text message during an emergency. Visit
GW Campus Advisories for a link and instructions on how to sign up for alerts pertaining
to GW. If you receive an Alert DC notification during class, you are encouraged to share
the information immediately.

GW Alert

GW Alert provides popup notification to desktop and laptop computers during an

emergency. In the event that we receive an alert to the computer in our classroom, we will
follow the instructions given. You are also encouraged to download this application to
your personal computer. Visit GW Campus Advisories to learn how.

Additional Information

Additional information about emergency preparedness and response at GW or the

University’s operating status can be found on GW Campus Advisories
(http://CampusAdvisories.gwu.edu) or by calling the GW Information Line at 202-994-
5050.