This course introduces the exciting new field of International History, viewed from an Asia Pacific perspective. Through a series of case studies of the region, students will develop the skills to analyse how the norms, practices and structures that underpin international affairs today have developed since the 19th century, and what role Asia and the Pacific region played in this process. The course prompts students to imagine alternative pathways and outcomes arising from specific historical moments. Examples of these key case studies include: Pattern of the adaptation of international law by China and Japan; alternatives to the Europe-centred world system; critical assessment of the idea of human rights; colonial participation in international organisations; the development of international anti-terrorist law; historical origins of the border disputes in Northeast Asia; and the development of refugee law, with its implications for the current refugee crisis in Asia and Australia.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Critically assess key ideas and debates in international history
- Understand the role of Asia and the Pacific region in the development of international law and international organisations
- Critically assess historical documents of international conventions, identifying diverse agendas of multiple stakeholders in given historical contexts.
- Develop a critical perspective on major debates in international history and international affairs.
- Critically utilise case studies and concrete evidence when arguing analytical points in writing.
- Summarise, digest and present the contents of analytical readings
Other Information
The course will start on 26 June when course materials will be available to students.
The intensive session consists of two 3-hour sessions from 10-1pm and 2-5pm on:
· 1-3 July (Saturday, Sunday, Monday)
· 13-15 July (Thursday, Friday, Saturday)
The course will end on 15 August when the final assessment is due.
Indicative Assessment
- Tutorial Participation (10) [LO 1,2,3,4,5,6]
- First assignment (Literature review) 2000 words (40) [LO 2,4,6]
- Final Essay 4000 words (50) [LO 1,2,3,5,6]
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
The total workload for the course is 130 hours, including in class time and independent study. There will be one 3 hour class per week.Inherent Requirements
Not applicable
Prescribed Texts
Akami, Tomoko, 2002, Internationalizing the Pacific: The US, Japan and the Institute of Pacific Relations in War and Peace, 1919-1945, London: Routledge.
Preliminary Reading
Akami, T., Internationalizing the Pacific: The US, Japan and the Institute of Pacific Relations in War and Peace, 1919-1945, London: Routledge, 2002.
Best, A. et al eds, International History of the Twentieth Century, London: Routledge, 2004.
Bull, H., The Anarchical Society: A Study of Order in World Politics, the third edition, London: Palgrave, 2002 c1977.
Carr, E.H., The Twenty Years' Crisis, 1919—1939: An Introduction to the Study of International Relations, London: Papermac, 1993 c1939.
Fassbender, B. et al eds, Oxford Handbook of the History of International Law, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2012.
Hobson, J., The Eurocentric Conception of World Politics: Western International Theory, 1760-2020, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2012.
Iriye, A., Global Community: The Role of International Organizations in the Making of the Contemporary World, Berkeley: University of California Press, 2002.
Mazlish, B. and A. Iriye eds, The Global History Reader, London: Routledge, 2005.
Osterhammel, J., P. Camiller trans., The Transformation of the World: A Global History of the Nineteenth Century, Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2009.
Vitalis, R., White World Order, Black Power Politics: the Birth of American International Relations, Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 2015.
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 14
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $4080 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $6000 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
Second Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7395 | 21 Jul 2025 | 28 Jul 2025 | 31 Aug 2025 | 24 Oct 2025 | In Person | N/A |
