Cursos / 1º Ciclo / Faculty of Law :: International Relations

ÁSIA (QUESTÕES POLÍTICAS, ECONÓMICAS E SOCIAIS) - 2025/2026

3º curricular year
Semestralidade: 2nd semester
ECTS: 6

Teachers

Leading Teacher: Prof. Doutor Tiago André Lopes
Assistant Professor: Prof. Doutor Paulo Amorim

Class type and School hours

Orientação Tutorial : 1 Horas
Teórico-prática : 2 Horas

Teaching Language

Portuguese

Main Aims/Objectives

The course aims to provide students with transversal and multidisciplinary knowledge about Asia, avoiding an exclusively Sinocentric perspective or one oriented towards the economic growth of emerging states. Taking into account the complexity of a vibrant and ancient civilizational space such as Asia, we opted for a more global vision focusing on the historical, political, economic and security evolution of the continent.

Specific Aims/Objectives

1. Perceive International Relations from an Asia-centric perspective;
2. Understand the applicability of the dominant paradigms of International Relations Theories applied to Asia;
3. Hierarchize regional actors based on their diplomatic relevance;
4. Analyze the economic transformation of Asia in the post-Cold War period;
5. Explain the various security initiatives underway in Asia;
6. Understand the value and scope of the blocs´ policy in Asia

Skills to be acquired

At the end of the semester the student should be able to:
1. Think critically about contemporary Asia;
2. Explain which Asian states have the greatest political and diplomatic relevance;
3. Systematize macroeconomic information relevant to the ongoing political processes in Asia;
4. Analyze the degree of implementation of ongoing security initiatives in Asia;
5. Understand the origin and functioning of the new Asian multilateral spaces

Teaching Procedures

Expository classes offer the best way to satisfactorily achieve all proposed objectives. Although the expository method is central to the transmission of knowledge, it will be complemented by semi-formal debates following either the “world cafe methodology” or “think-pair-share”.

Programme

1. Introduction to the Study of Asia
1.1. The application of classical IR theories to Asia
1.2. Asiacentric theories of International Relations
1.3. Transformative episodes in Asian History
1.4. Confucianism, Buddhism and Islam as drivers of Asian transformation

2. Regional Actors
2.1. Russian Federation
2.2. Empire of Japan
2.3. Republic of India
2.4. Republic of Indonesia
2.5. Republic of Türkiye
2.6. China Popular Republic

3. Asian Political Economy
3.1. India´s economic growth and the New Silk Road mega-project
3.2. Japan´s economic stagnation
3.3. Mixed economic model of contemporary India
3.4. The economic acceleration of new actors: Indonesia, South Korea, Singapore

4. Security Agenda in Asia
4.1. String of Pearls [China] vs. Necklace of Diamonds [India]
4.2. The implosion of SAARC and the "Heart of Asia"
4.3. The emergence of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization

5. Bloc Policy in Asia
5.1. US initiatives: Five Eyes, AUKUS and APEC
5.2. ASEAN, PIF and BIMSTEC
5.3. Organization of Turkophone States and the Arab League

Evaluation Type

The assessment system is carried out in accordance with the rules defined in the General Regulations for Knowledge Assessment of Lusíada Universities. In this sense, continuous assessment is taken into account, namely attendance, participation, completion of two mid-term assessment tests and research work.

Teaching Resources

Powerpoints prepared by the teacher; texts previously made available; online audiovisual resources

Sustainability Objectives

SDG: 16. Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels

Keywords

Asia;
East;
Economy;
Security;
Alliances

Main Bibliography

Complementary Bibliography