Course overview
This course offers an in-depth exploration of the strategic dynamics in the Indo-Pacific, highlighting the integration of material and cultural factors in the conceptualisation and practice of grand strategy. It examines how states, from superpowers to middle powers, assess and navigate global challenges and opportunities, to formulate and implement strategies that align with their circumstances in the prevailing international order. Students will learn to analyse geopolitical developments and regional security issues, applying the analytical framework of strategic culture to understand the varied strategic approaches of different states in the region.
Course learning outcomes
- Conduct independent research utilising a variety of sources, assessing, and reviewing the specialised literature around the concepts of grand strategy and strategic culture as well as analysing primary sources such as national security strategy white papers
- Engage in constructive discussions about contested concepts and controversial policies in a respectful manner towards alternative points of view in tutorial setting and be able to work cooperatively and effectively in a group
- Compare and contrast the way in which various state actors relate to the concept of Indo-Pacific, and the way in which they perceive and deal with existing and emerging threats shaping power dynamics in the Indo-Pacific region
- Identify and analyse the actors, institutions and major historical events and the way they are remembered, that have shaped the strategic culture of great, middle and superpowers
- Evaluate the impact cultural factors, including aspects of identity, habits of practice, key values and historical memories have on the design and the implementation of grand strategies of various powers in the Indo-Pacific region