THIS IS NOT A CURRENT AFFAIRS MODULE. Current events will be addressed only when relevant to learning about and evaluating the theories and empirical investigations at hand. The first part of the course will provide a historical and theoretical overview of regionalism and of the Asia-Pacific region’s international relations, with the Cold War as a starting point. The second part assesses competing theoretical explanations for the international behaviour and interactions of the region’s major powers. The final section examines some key multilateral/transnational issues as sources of potential conflict and/or cooperation. The countries considered in detail will be China, Japan, South Korea, North Korea and the United States.