Course Description

Welcome to the Economic Cooperation in ASEAN class! The Department of International Relations inaugurated the Economic Cooperation in ASEAN course in 2018. This class is designed to equip International Relations students with a deeper understanding of economic cooperation in the ASEAN region. However, this class focuses not only on economic cooperation within ASEAN institutional mechanisms but also on economic policies and cooperation in the region in general.

The ASEAN Economic Community is recognized as one of the most prominent elements of ASEAN cooperation. This effort is part of the effort to make ASEAN a region with the capacity to become a single market and production base, with equitable, competitive economic development, and integration with the global market (ASEAN Secretariat, 2018). However, it is recognized that this economic cooperation did not emerge suddenly; since 1967, there have been several milestones and milestones worth noting. This class is designed to provide International Relations students with knowledge of the history of development in Southeast Asia in general, its current development, and a specific understanding of ASEAN economic cooperation. By understanding the development phenomena occurring in ASEAN countries, we gain a clear picture of the economic cooperation currently underway within ASEAN, its opportunities, and its obstacles.

This class offers a Southeast Asian perspective on the importance of regionalism. Due to the uniqueness of its social system and political culture, ASEAN has developed its way of structuring its economic cooperation, which, in many respects, differs significantly from what we have learned from the European Union’s experience. Understanding the extent to which the unique Southeast Asian context shapes the architecture of regional cooperation is valuable for predicting future trends and navigating obstacles and challenges.

Expected Learning Outcome

1. Explain the characteristics of economic cooperation in ASEAN; its background, basic principles, and objectives.
2. Assess the extent to which the ASEAN Economic Community has developed from its initiation in 2008 to its current implementation.
3. Compare trends in regional and sub-regional cooperation, and identify similarities and differences between various forms of cooperation, such as RCEP, AFTA, GMS, BIMP-EAGA, AMBDC, IMT-GT, etc.
4. Creatively develop ideas for improving ASEAN economic cooperation from community to community by designing innovative business models.

Syllabus

Read the full syllabus here.