Northeast Asia, with a population of some 1.7 billion, and containing the world's second and third largest economies, is a region of enormous political, economic and cultural significance. It is also currently in the midst of major transformations. Developments in the region, including the rise of China and ongoing efforts to resolve the crisis created by the last remaining corner of the Cold War - the division of the Korean Peninsula - have global implications. Meanwhile, the countries of the region are gradually moving towards the creation of closer regional integration. In order to understand these developments, and their profound implications for Australia and the rest of the world, we need to understand the historical, cultural and social context in which they occur. This course offers a new look at Northeast Asia. Key themes addressed include: the legacies of the Asia-Pacific and Korean Wars; the Cold War architecture of Northeast Asia; migration and cultural interactions between the countries of the regions in the Cold War and post-Cold War eras; the Korean Peninsula and Taiwan questions and their implications for relations between the countries of the region; and contemporary political and social issues in the region. This course will help students to develop their research skills, through finding and interpreting historical sources, current data and visual material on Northeast Asia.