International Conflict Study

Instructors

Kiichi FUJIWARA

Credits / Language / Semester

2Credits / English / Summer

Objectives/Overview

What is an international conflict? Will it be possible to discuss the origins of international conflicts in more general and abstract ways, or would it be the case that each conflicts are so distinct in nature that rule out theoretical abstraction? Those are the basic topics that I aim to cover in this course.

International conflicts encompass a wide terrain; here I will focus on what has come to be called the new kind of wars, those in which cultural symbols and identity play out in the development of violent conflicts, as opposed to the more traditional kind of warfare based on the acquisition of secular interests.

Keywords

国際紛争 地域紛争 破綻国家 国際介入

International Conflicts, Regional Conflicts, Failed States, International Intervention

Schedule

1. Orientation
2. The End of the Cold War and International Conflicts
3. The Security Dilemma Revisited
4. Why go to war?
5. New Wars and Old Wars
6. Ethnicity, Religion, and National Identities
7. Failed States
8. Does Intervention Work?
9. The Constructivist Challenge
10. Interdependence and International Conflicts
11. Is Democracy the Answer?
12. In Search of International Institutions
13. Conditions for Peace

Teaching Methods

The whole course will be given in English: the materials are in English, the lectures as well as instructions will all be given in English, and you will answer my quiz in English. I look forward to your active participation in class, which will compose a very important part of my grading. The reading materials will be announced in class, and students must download them by themselves.

Grading

Your contributions in class will be essential, providing 40% of evaluation. There will be a written examination at the end of the semester, which will be he basis for 60% of evaluation.

Required Textbooks

Reading materials will be given in class, which students must download by themselves.

Reference Books

None.

Notes on Taking the Course

Please be advised that the course, including the final examination, will be given in English. Those who cannot take the final examination, scheduled to be held in September, must ask the instructor for alternate ways of evaluation.

Related Resources

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