“Asia and International Law” is a specialist course about PIL in relation to Asia and especially ASEAN. The course begins with theory as well as current and emerging issues, and the colonial history of Western domination. We then focus on the current rise of Asia and ASEAN, and especially new and emerging issues . Students should have an understanding of the basics of public international law and be prepared to identify and undertake a research paper for in-class presentation and assessment.
This seminar explores and maps the connections between public international law and Asia, both currently and historically. The rise of Asia, especially in the wake of the global financial crisis, forms the context of the course. Asia’s continuing economic growth and increasing regionalism marks a contrast to past decades and is leading many to think of a shift in global power. At the same time, relations between major Asian powers between themselves and with the USA are unsettled on some issues whether these relate to territorial claims or global issues such as human rights and the environment. The seminar considers the implications and possible impacts of this projected rise and shift in power on international law, the norms of the international community and the relations between Asia and the Western powers, as well as among Asians inter se.