Human Security: Asian Perspectives

Instructors

SHANI Giorgiandrea

Term / Language / Credits

S1S2 / English / 2

Objectives

Twenty years after the publication of the 1994 Human Development Report which introduced the term to the academic and policy communities, Human Security has finally come of age. Adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2012 and institutionalized within the UN system through the Trust Fund for Human Security, Human Security is a basic policy goal of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). However, definitions of Human Security appear vague and contradictory. Consequently, its relevance to international relations and public policy is limited.

This course seeks to critically evaluate some of the tensions which lie at the ‘vital core’ of Human Security and to apply different approaches of Human Security to the Asia-Pacific. Students will be introduced to theoretical debates about globalization and its impact on human identity and security. Next, ‘narrow’ and ‘broad’ approaches to Human Security will be outlined and, finally students will be introduced to the critical perspectives on Human Security (Shani, Sato and Pasha 2007, Hynek and Chandler 2011, Pasha 2013, Shani 2014).

Students will then be expected to research and present on a topic related to the course using a regional or empirical case study from the Asia-Pacific region (including Japan).

The primary aims of the course are as follows:
1. To introduce students to theoretical debates on globalization and its impact on individual identity and security;
2. To outline different and competing approaches to Human Security: “narrow”, “broad” and “critical;”
3. To get students to research a topic related to the course using an empirical case study from the Asia-Pacific region;
4. To allow students to present their research in class.
5. To encourage students to develop their writing skills by getting them to write up their research in the form of the essay.

Keywords

Human Security, Asia-Pacific, Globalization, Religion, Identity

Schedule

1.Overview of the course (Lecture)
2.Globalization and Identity (Lecture)
3.Globalization, Peace and Conflict (Lecture)
4.Human Security: The Narrow Approach (Lecture)
5.Human Security: The Broad Approach (Lecture)
6.Critical Perspectives on Human Security (Lecture)
7.Human Security in Crisis? (Lecture)
8.Human In/Security in South Asia (Lecture/Presentations)
9.Human In/Security in South East Asia (Seminar/Presentations)
10.Human In/Security in the Islamic World (Seminar/Presentations)
11.Human In/Security in East Asia (Seminar/Presentations)
12.Human In/Security in Japan After 3.11 (Seminar/Presentations)
13.Human Security: Asian Perspectives (Lecture)

Teaching Methods

1. Lectures (Weeks 1-8, 13)
2. Student Presentations (Weeks 8-12)

Grading

1. Essay (3,000-5,000 words) 70%
2. Student Presentations 30%

All students are required to make a presentation and write an essay based on a regional case study of their choice by the final class. The essay should be approximately 3,000-5,000 words.

Required Textbook

Two textbooks are recommended:

1. Giorgio Shani Religion, Identity and Human Security (Abingdon: Routledge, 2014) http://www.routledge.com/books/details/9780415509060/

2. Mustapha Kamal Pasha (ed) Globalization, Identity and Human Security (Abingdon: Routledge, 2013) ISBN:978-0-415-706551
http://www.routledge.com/books/details/9780415706551/

Reference Books

1.David Chandler and Niklas Hynek, eds., Critical Perspectives on Human Security: Discourses of Emancipation and Regimes of Power (Abingdon: Routledge 2010)
2.Mark Duffield. Development, Security and Unending War: Governing the World of Peoples (Cambridge: Polity Press, 2007)
3.International Commission on Intervention and State Sovereignty, The Responsibility to Protect, International Development Research Center, December 2001 (Report of the Commission)
4.Yukiko Ishikawa Human Security in South East Asia (Abingdon: Routledge 2012)
5. Anthony G. McGrew and Nana Poku (eds) Globalization, Development and Human Security (Cambridge: Polity 2007).
6.Kinhide Mushakoji (ed.) Human (In) Security in the Network of Global Cities (Chubu: Centre for Human Security Studies, 2009).
7.Sadako Ogata and Amartya Sen, Human Security Now (Final Report of the Commission on Human Security) (New York: Oxford University Press, 2003).
8. Sorpong Peou(ed.) Human Security in East Asia: Challenges for Collaborative Action (Abingdon: Routledge 2012)
9. Giorgio Shani, Makoto Sato, and Mustapha Kamal Pasha (eds.) Protecting Human Security in a Post 9/11 World (Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan 2007) ISBN 02300064;
http://www.palgrave.com/products/title.aspx?PID=276111
10.Shahrbanou Tajbakhsh and Anuradha Chenoy Human Security: Concepts and Implications (London: Routledge 2008)

Notes on Taking the Course

After being introduced to the concept of Human Security, Students will be required to participate in class discussion and present their research on the Asia-Pacific region in class.

Related Websites

http://www.routledge.com/books/details/9780415509060/

Miscellaneous Information

Information about the lecturer can be found below:

Dr. Giorgio Shani
Senior Associate Professor
Department of Politics and International Relations,
International Christian University,
http://icu.academia.edu/GiorgioShani

Region President, Asia-Pacific
International Studies Association
http://www.isanet.org/ISA/Regions/AsiaPacific.aspx

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