MAIS-AS Curriculum

Program Background

The Asian Studies track offers a comprehensive knowledge of International Relations with a more specific focus on East and Southeast Asia. The multi-disciplinary character of the track allows for a proficiency and knowledge of Asia with a distinctive combination of the social sciences and the humanities. In addition, students can choose from at least one area of concentration. The aim of the Asian Studies track is to prepare students to meet the demand for area specialists by fostering knowledge of the region’s history, culture, politics, and economics, and enhancing critical thinking and applied skills to respond to the growing challenges of the region.

The Asian Studies program is packaged to suit the needs of students and prepare them to pursue either a PhD or a career in business, international organizations, government, as well as cultural and think-tank organizations.

Course Requirements

Term 1 2 3 4 5 6
Foundation Courses 6 units 6
Core Courses 6 units 3 3
Specialization Courses 6 units 6
Electives 6 units 6
Comprehensive Exam 0 units 0
Thesis 1 & Thesis 2 6 units 3 3
Total 30 units 6 9 9 0 3 3

MAIS-AS Foundation Courses

Course Code Course Title Brief Description
ASN530M Introduction to International Studies This course is a graduate-level introduction to the discipline of International Relations. It is structured around three main themes: international history, regions, and processes, developing the student’s ability to critically assess the parameters of International Relations.
ASN860M Technical Writing This course for graduate students is a writing and research-intensive course on improving their skills in technical writing, providing valuable techniques for effectively writing research, documents, white papers, and other outputs in a professional and logical format. The course will cover topics such as clarity, conciseness, logical organization, and effective communication in technical contexts.

MAIS-AS Core Courses

Course Code Course Title Brief Description
ASN535M Theories of International Relations This course is a graduate-level introduction to theories, debates, and major scholarly traditions in International Relations. It is structured around three core engagements: historical foundations, mainstream approaches, and critical approaches.
ASN521M Research Methods In this graduate studies course, students are expected to develop their research skills within the discipline of International Relations and familiarize themselves with research writing, methodology, and ethics. The course will equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary for conducting research for their graduate studies thesis by learning how to identify research problems, conduct literature reviews, design research proposals, gather and analyze data, and interpret and present findings.

MAIS-AS Specialization Courses

Course Code Course Title Brief Description
ASN527M The Politics of East and Southeast Asia This graduate course covers multiple aspects of the East and Southeast Asian region, including the region’s and its states’ political systems, history, and social dynamics. Through this course, students will develop their understanding of key political trends and analysis of major regional political events. The course will also involve an in-depth exploration of specific states and the effects of globalization on the region’s political institutions, economies, and societies.
ASN529M The Political Economy of East Asia This graduate course is designed to provide students with an understanding of the economic dynamics that shape the growth and development of East Asian economies. The course also explores these growths and developments through several factors, including history, governmental strategies and policies, economic models, industrial and trade policies, and regional and global economic integration.

MAIS-AS Offered Electives

Course Code Course Title Brief Description
ASN751M International Political Economy This graduate course introduces students to the field of International Political Economy in three distinct parts: (1) The Macroeconomics of Trade, where the class will attempt to answer questions arising from trade in goods and services; (2) The Macroeconomics of Trade by looking at how trade impact economies and touch on the economics of integration; and (3) International Finance, where discussions will evolve around issues arising from global financial markets and their impact on macroeconomic activity.
ASN752M International Law This graduate course intends to acquaint students with the fundamental principles of international law, to increase their awareness of the political and historical context of its development. It also introduces students to the major international legal issues, instruments, and principles that aid in their understanding and analysis of international problems.
ASN604M International Organization This graduate course is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of international organizations and their dynamics in global politics. It also introduces students to the role of international organizations in global development, diplomacy, international law, and the contemporary issues of global society.
ASN772M International Security This graduate course introduces the study of security in global politics, surveying some of the major concepts, theories, and case studies in the subfield of Security Studies. The course is divided into two parts: the first part introduces the main concepts and theories in Security Studies. Meanwhile, the second part explores prominent contemporary security issues, both traditional and non-traditional, that affect the interactions of states and non-state actors in the 21st century.
ASN767M Global Migration: Issues and Trends This graduation course covers the foundational concepts of migration, including its causes, types, and consequences in the global arena. The course will also look into migration models and theories, emerging trends and patterns, and various specific case studies relevant to the Filipino people, providing students with a multi-level understanding of the significance of migration in globalization and contemporary world movements.
ASN754M Contemporary Issues and Trends in International Relations The graduate course explores the major international relations issues since the Cold War, examining contemporary theoretical approaches. The course also opens the understanding of contemporary international relations, which allows students to analyze current events and trends in global politics.
ASN400M International Relations of China The course will delve into China and how it influences major global governance platforms in economics, security, innovation, and politics. Moreover, the course will also look into the different relations of China based on emerging global power structures, involving topics such as historical interactions, foreign aid, diplomacy, traditional disputes, trade, and other contemporary aspects of foreign policy and international relations.
ASN615M Japanese Popular Culture This graduate course develops students’ learning and understanding of Japanese popular culture, including its history, evolution, and social influence, all in relation to Japan’s national identity. The course will analyze key forms of Japanese popular culture and social and cultural themes on identity and nationalism, tradition and modernity, and the spread of Japanese popular culture to other countries in the era of globalization.
ASN616M Asian Philosophy and Religion This graduate course will provide an in-depth look at the philosophical movements and religious traditions rooted in the rich history of Asian and how they shaped local Asian societies and civilizations’ culture in the premodern and contemporary times. The course will also look at these traditions’ interaction in the broader context of the world and how it influences political systems, social structures, and the future directions of the field of Asian philosophical and religious studies.
ASN766M Security Cooperation This graduate course mainly delves into the complexities of security cooperation in global politics, examining various aspects such as the principles and theories, the practices and mechanisms, and the institutions of contemporary international cooperation. Other topics covered by the course include the role of international organizations, regional security cooperation, and the impact of modern challenges and constraints on global cooperation.