The Asia Pacific region has attracted international attention in recent years owing to primarily territorial disputes. Countries involved in island disputes are China, Japan, Vietnam, Malaysia and the Philippines.
The conflict between China and Japan is one that’s been hogging the headlines in recent months. Their dispute not only involves territorial issues but as well as wartime history particularly the Nanking massacre dispute. China has been blaming the Imperial Japanese Army for the mass killings that took place in 1837 which Japan strongly denies.
Despite the existing tension among these nations, however, there’s one positive side that not too many people are aware of. These countries actually maintain bilateral relations such as on economic cooperation.
These issues and more can be explored deeply by pursuing Asia Pacific Studies and courses in the U.K. and other countries. A wealth of information on this particular course offering is available on the internet.
University of Leeds
The University of Leeds offers a Bachelor of Arts in Asia Pacific Studies degree program that takes three years to complete. Focus is on the cultures and societies of modern East and Southeast Asia.
Those who wish to pursue a master’s degree in this field can also do so. An online master’s degree program is available for working professionals and covers regular virtual seminars, weekly lectures and regular access to tutors within the Department done through email. This normally takes three years to complete.
The department handling this program has established a good reputation in area studies and placed fourth nationally in the government Research Assessment Exercise.
University of Central Lancashire
The university’s program on Asia Pacific Studies covers various fields such as language, international business studies and global politics. Students enrolled in this particular four-year program are expected to enhance their language skills and gain knowledge on the culture and environment of countries in Asia Pacific.
Institute of Asia and Pacific Studies
The school’s primary mission is to promote advanced research in humanities and social sciences. Additionally, it aims to improve the understanding of the Asia Pacific region among its students as well as across the University of Nottingham.
The institute boasts of a broad-based research program with very knowledgeable faculty, scholars and members. Its programs focus on the northeast, southeast, south, central Asia and Western Asia.
SOAS University of London
Those wanting to pursue further studies on Asia Pacific’s culture and languages can enroll in the master’s degree program of SOAS, University of London. Through the university’s Department of Languages and Culture of Southeast Asia, interested students can enroll in the MA Pacific Asian Studies. The program takes one year to complete for full-time students and two to three years for part-time students.
Degree programs are also available with concentration on Southeast Asian Studies and specific countries such as Thailand, Vietnam and Myanmar (Burma) among others.
SOAS, University of London is the only higher education institution in Europe that offers programs on Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Courses covered include democracy, poverty, religion, human rights, identity, development and social change.