International relations in Asia and the Pacific Region 2104-L-D5SMRA

Classroom

Students enrolling in this course should: • be familiar with 20th-century general history and world political geography at the high school level; • understand basic concepts related to international relations, such as state, great power, alliance, international organization, and security; • be able to read and comprehend academic texts in Polish and English (approximately B2 level), as some of the literature and sources are in English; • be able to search for information and data in online sources and prepare a simple multimedia presentation. Enrollment in this course does not require prior completion of other courses.

The course learning outcomes have been referenced to the program-level learning outcomes assigned to the course in the study program (K_W03, K_W05, K_W06, K_U01, K_U02, K_U04, K_U05, K_K01, K_K02). Upon completion of the course, the student:

Knowledge

* **EU_W1** – characterizes at an advanced level the criteria for defining the Asia-Pacific region (geographical, political, cultural-civilizational, economic) and its subregions, and explains the differences between the concepts of Asia-Pacific and Indo-Pacific [K_W06]
* **EU_W2** – explains at an advanced level the political, legal, and socio-economic determinants of the evolution of the regional order after 1945, with particular emphasis on the years 1945–1956 and 1956–1979, and identifies stabilizing and destabilizing factors in the regional security system [K_W05]
* **EU_W3** – characterizes at an advanced level the strategies and roles of state and non-state actors in international relations in the region: China, the US, India, Japan, Australia, the Korean Peninsula states, regional institutions and formats (ASEAN, SCO, QUAD, AUKUS), as well as non-governmental actors [K_W03]
* **EU_W4** – explains at an advanced level contemporary challenges facing the region – maritime territorial disputes, nuclear dynamics on the Korean Peninsula, technological rivalry, human rights disputes, climate and water security threats – as well as European Union and Polish policy towards the region [K_W06]

Skills

* **EU_U1** – interprets political, economic, military, and legal phenomena in the region using maps, database data, reports (e.g., SIPRI, World Bank, AMTI), and primary source documents, providing the source and reference period [K_U01]
* **EU_U2** – formulates and justifies coherent conclusions using international relations terminology in workshop worksheets, during simulations and debates, as well as during the presentation and defense of the project [K_U02]
* **EU_U3** – plans and executes an assigned part of a team research project and collaborates with the team during workshops and in the implementation of subsequent project stages [K_U04]
* **EU_U4** – formulates their own research question within the project and, in a reflection sheet, sets goals for further deepening knowledge of the region, e.g., in the context of choosing a diploma seminar or Master's degree program [K_U05]

Social Competences

* **EU_K1** – critically evaluates the reliability of sources, data, and political narratives of the region's states, including when asking questions and evaluating other teams' projects [K_K01]
* **EU_K2** – utilizes expert analysis (from think tanks, international organizations) and justifies its importance for solving the problem described in the project [K_K02]

A. Formal Requirements

**Attendance**
Attendance in class is mandatory (University of Warsaw Study Regulations). Attendance is not graded and does not affect the final mark.

* Students are allowed **2 unexcused absences** without the obligation to make them up.
* **More than 4 absences** make it impossible to pass the course. An exception is made for documented absences (sick leave, individual organization of studies, Dean's decision) – in such cases, the scope of make-up work is determined individually during office hours.
* Absence on the day of your team's presentation must be excused. In that case, the student presents their part and answers questions during a designated office hour.

**Academic Integrity and Intellectual Property**
All assignments must be prepared independently, respecting copyright and citation rules. The standards and procedures set out in Resolution No. 14 of the University Council for Education of July 13, 2020, regarding standards and procedures for dealing with course assignments and diplomas prepared in violation of the law apply.

**Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Tools**
In accordance with Resolution No. 98 of the University Council for Education of the University of Warsaw of December 8, 2023, and Resolution No. 29/2025 of the Didactic Council of the Faculty of Political Science and International Studies of May 7, 2025, **Level 2 on a 1–5 scale applies to this course** (AI generation of ideas and structuring) for all assessment components: entry tickets, workshop worksheets, make-up work, and the project. AI may be used for brainstorming and organizing the structure of the work. The submitted version must not contain AI-generated text. Numerical data, facts, and quotes must come from verifiable sources specified by the student. Using AI beyond the allowed level or submitting non-original work results in 0 points for the assignment and referral of the case to disciplinary proceedings under Resolution No. 14 of the University Council for Education.

B. Final Grade Components (maximum 100 points)

#### 1. Group Project: "Nobel Peace Prize Challenge" – 50 points (50%)

Teams of up to 3 students develop a peace initiative that addresses a specific problem in the Asia-Pacific region and could be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. The team chooses one of four tracks inspired by Nobel Prize laureates:

* **Security and diplomacy** – e.g., a de-escalation agreement or demilitarization of a disputed zone;
* **Human rights and civil liberties** – e.g., protection of minority rights, women's education, freedom of speech;
* **Socio-economic development** – e.g., a poverty alleviation or financial inclusion program eliminating the root causes of conflict;
* **Climate and environment** – e.g., an agreement supporting Pacific Island states or addressing Mekong water resources.

**Project Elements:**

* **Written Report (policy paper), 8–10 pages**, including: problem diagnosis and its significance for peace or human rights; a step-by-step action plan; stakeholder analysis (governments, international and non-governmental organizations, local communities) and how to secure their support; "Nobel rationale" – why the initiative will permanently transform the situation in the region. The report must include a bibliography (min. 8 sources, including min. 3 expert analyses or international organization reports) and a 1-page executive summary.
* **Presentation and Defense in Sessions 14–15:** a 10-minute team presentation before the "Nobel Committee" (the class and the instructor) in the form of a professional policy pitch, followed by a 10-minute defense. Each team member presents their part and answers questions. If the number of teams exceeds 8, the defense time is reduced to 5 minutes for all teams.
* **Individual Contribution and Reflection Sheet (1 page):** completed tasks, individual research question and its answer, and goals for further deepening knowledge of the region.

**Stages and Deadlines:**

* **Session 2** – team formation and track selection;
* **Session 5** – project charter: problem definition, individual research question for each team member, division of tasks (submitted via Kampus UW);
* **Session 10** – draft problem diagnosis and working bibliography;
* **7 days before Session 14** – written report and executive summary (summaries are shared with the entire class);
* **7 days after presentation** – individual contribution and reflection sheet.

**Project Evaluation Criteria:**

* Accuracy of the problem analysis and contextualization in regional realities – **0–12 pts** (group assessment; K_W01–K_W04);
* Innovativeness and realism of the solution, quality of stakeholder analysis – **0–12 pts** (group assessment; K_W03, K_U01);
* Quality and structure of the report: data provided with source and reference period, use of expert analyses, proper citations – **0–10 pts** (group assessment; K_U01, K_K01, K_K02);
* Presentation of individual part and defense during discussion – **0–10 pts** (individual assessment; K_U02);
* Timely completion of stages (project charter, draft) – **0–2 pts** (group assessment; K_U03) and contribution/reflection sheet – **0–4 pts** (individual assessment; K_U03, K_U04).

Each person outside the presenting team must ask at least one analytical question – orally or on a slip of paper handed to the instructor. The secret ballot for the "Audience Nobel" does not affect the scoring.

2. Workshop Worksheets – 30 points (30%)

In sessions 1–13, teams complete the exercise described in Section 7 and submit a written workshop worksheet with the output (e.g., policy recommendations, draft communique, map, policy brief). The worksheet is graded on a 0–3 point scale:

* **1 pt** – completion of all task elements;
* **1 pt** – correct use of reading, data, or documents;
* **1 pt** – well-justified conclusions.

Team members receive the same number of points, and the names of the students who worked on the sheet must be written on it. The **top 10 worksheets out of 13** count toward the final grade. Verifies learning outcomes: K_W01–K_W04, K_U01, K_U02, K_U03, K_K01.

The worksheet evaluates the written result of the work, not the volume of spoken contributions in class. An absent student may complete the task individually and submit it via Kampus UW within 7 days.

3. Entry Tickets – 20 points (20%)

Before sessions 2–13, students complete the preparatory task described in Section 7 and bring a written entry ticket (a paper handed in at the beginning of class or a file submitted via Kampus UW before class). The ticket passes (**2 pts**) if it contains 2–3 specific points answering the prompt, including at least one fact or data point with a cited source. Missing ticket or a ticket not meeting the criteria results in 0 points. A student without a ticket completes the workshop task individually and in writing based on the reading (max. 1.5 pts for the worksheet from that session). The **top 10 tickets out of 12** count toward the final grade. Verifies learning outcomes: K_W01–K_W04, K_U01, K_K01.

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C. Requirements to Pass the Course

* Obtaining a total of **at least 51 points**;
* Obtaining **at least 26 points from the project**, including delivering one's own part of the presentation and submitting the contribution and reflection sheet;
* Meeting the attendance requirements.

**Retake (Make-up Assessment):**
A student who does not obtain 26 points from the project must prepare an individual report (approx. 5 pages) on a peace initiative in a chosen track by the end of the retake exam session and defend it during office hours. The report is evaluated according to the project criteria (max. 50 pts). Points for workshop worksheets and entry tickets cannot be retaken/made up.

D. Grading Scale

* **0–50 pts:** 2.0 (Unsatisfactory / Fail) – failure to achieve the minimum level of learning outcomes.
* **51–58 pts:** 3.0 (Satisfactory) – minimal, reproductive mastery of all learning outcomes.
* **59–65 pts:** 3.5 (Satisfactory Plus) – correct mastery of knowledge and skills, with few shortcomings.
* **66–74 pts:** 4.0 (Good) – independent interpretation of regional processes and correct work with sources.
* **75–86 pts:** 4.5 (Good Plus) – above-average task performance and fluent use of literature and data.
* **87–100 pts:** 5.0 (Very Good) – outstanding knowledge of the region, accurate data-based reasoning, and an original project.

E. Verification of Individual Learning Outcomes

* **K_W01 [K_W06]** – entry tickets; workshop worksheets; project (problem analysis)
* **K_W02 [K_W05]** – entry tickets; workshop worksheets (sessions 1–2 and subsequent); project (problem analysis)
* **K_W03 [K_W03]** – entry tickets; workshop worksheets; project (problem analysis, stakeholders)
* **K_W04 [K_W06]** – entry tickets; workshop worksheets; project (problem analysis)
* **K_U01 [K_U01]** – entry tickets; workshop worksheets; project (solution, report quality)
* **K_U02 [K_U02]** – workshop worksheets; project (presentation and defense)
* **K_U03 [K_U04]** – workshop worksheets (teamwork); project (stages, contribution sheet)
* **K_U04 [K_U05]** – project (contribution and reflection sheet)
* **K_K01 [K_K01]** – entry tickets (data sources); workshop worksheets; project (report quality)
* **K_K02 [K_K02]** – project (report quality – use of expert analyses)

Oto tłumaczenie listy literatury i źródeł na język angielski, zachowujące profesjonalny format akademicki (opis wstępny oraz tytuły dokumentów zostały przetłumaczone, natomiast polskie dane bibliograficzne zostały dostosowane do standardów anglojęzycznych):

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Knowledge of the required reading within the specified scope is necessary for the entry tickets, workshop worksheets, and the final project. The assignment of readings to individual classes is provided in Section 7.

**Required Reading:**

1. E. Haliżak, *Stosunki międzynarodowe w regionie Azji i Pacyfiku* [International Relations in the Asia-Pacific Region], Wydawnictwo Naukowe Scholar, Warsaw 1999, pp. 51–71, 335–408.
2. A. Jarczewska, J. Zajączkowski (eds.), *Region Azji i Pacyfiku w latach 1985–2015. Ciągłość i zmiana w regionalnym systemie międzynarodowym* [The Asia-Pacific Region in 1985–2015: Continuity and Change in the Regional International System], Wydawnictwo Naukowe Scholar, Warsaw 2016, pp. 53–74, 301–318.
3. E. Haliżak, *Stosunki USA–Chiny: falsyfikacja hipotezy „pułapki Tukidydesa”* [US–China Relations: Falsification of the "Thucydides Trap" Hypothesis], "Stosunki Międzynarodowe – International Relations" 2016, No. 4, pp. 9–31.
4. A. Jarczewska, *Stany Zjednoczone – hegemonia w regionie Azji i Pacyfiku w latach 1985–2015* [The United States – Hegemony in the Asia-Pacific Region in 1985–2015], "Stosunki Międzynarodowe – International Relations" 2015, No. 4, pp. 37–65.
5. E. Haliżak, *Regionalny kompleks bezpieczeństwa Azji Północno-Wschodniej* [The Regional Security Complex of Northeast Asia], "Żurawia Papers" 2004, Vol. 3.
6. J. Zajączkowski, *Strategie morskie Indii, Chin i USA w regionie Oceanu Indyjskiego: analiza w kategoriach realizmu ofensywnego* [Maritime Strategies of India, China, and the US in the Indian Ocean Region: An Analysis in Terms of Offensive Realism], "Stosunki Międzynarodowe – International Relations" 2015, No. 1, pp. 37–70.
7. J. Zajączkowski, *Indyjska strategia równoważenia w regionie Azji i Pacyfiku po 2014 r.* [India's Balancing Strategy in the Asia-Pacific Region after 2014], "Rocznik Strategiczny" 2018/2019, Warsaw 2019, pp. 388–401.
8. A.W. Ziętek, K. Żakowski, O. Pietrzyk, *Polityka zagraniczna Japonii* [Japan's Foreign Policy], Lublin 2018, pp. 52–132.
9. B. Kratiuk, J. Van den Bosch, A. Jaskólska, Y. Sato (eds.), *Handbook of Indo-Pacific Studies*, Routledge India, London–New York 2023: Introduction and Chapters 1–13 (Open Access: [https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003336143](https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003336143)).
10. D. Shambaugh (ed.), *International Relations of Asia*, 3rd ed., Rowman & Littlefield, Lanham 2022, Chapters 2–7.
11. European Commission, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, *The EU Strategy for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific*, JOIN(2021) 24 final, Brussels, 16 September 2021 (available online).
12. **Primary Source Documents (available online):**
* The ASEAN Charter (2007);
* Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (1976);
* Charter of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (2002);
* United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982) – Part V (Exclusive Economic Zone);
* *The South China Sea Arbitration (The Republic of the Philippines v. The People's Republic of China)*, Permanent Court of Arbitration, Case No. 2013-19, Award of 12 July 2016 – Press Release / Summary.

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**Supplementary Reading and Data Sources:**

1. E. Haliżak, *Zmiana układu sił USA–Chiny a transformacja porządku międzynarodowego* [The Shift in the US–China Balance of Power and the Transformation of the International Order], "Żurawia Papers" 2005, Vol. 7.
2. S.M. Pekkanen, J. Ravenhill, R. Foot (eds.), *The Oxford Handbook of the International Relations of Asia*, Oxford University Press, Oxford 2014.
3. C. Miller, *Chip War: The Fight for the World’s Most Critical Technology*, Scribner, New York 2022.
4. *SIPRI Yearbook 2026* and SIPRI Arms Transfers Database: [https://www.sipri.org](https://www.sipri.org)
5. Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative, CSIS: [https://amti.csis.org](https://amti.csis.org)
6. World Bank, World Development Indicators: [https://data.worldbank.org](https://data.worldbank.org); Our World in Data: [https://ourworldindata.org](https://ourworldindata.org)