International Conflict Study

Instructors

FUJIWARA, Kiichi

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

International Conflicts, Regional Conflicts, Failed States, International Intervention

Schedule

1. Orientation (4.9)
2. The End of the Cold War and International Conflicts (4.16)
3. The Security Dilemma Revisited (4.23)
4. Why go to war? (4.30)
5. New Wars and Old Wars (5.7)
6. Ethnicity, Religion, and National Identities (5.14)
(no classes on May 21st)
7. Failed States (5.28)
8. Does Intervention Work? (6.4)
9. The Constructivist Challenge (6.11)
10. Interdependence and International Conflict (6.18)
11. Is Democracy the Answer? (6.25)
12. In Search of International Institutions (7.2)
13. Workshop on Regional Conflicts (7.9)

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 and, hopefully, distributed in class.

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 Text

None.

Reference Books

You may wish to see Joseph Nye, Jr., Understanding International Conflicts.

Notes on Taking the Course

Please be advised that the course, including the final examination, will be given in English.

Related Resources

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