International Security and Global Governence
GIGA students (or English speaking students) are welcome to join to the seminar. The main working language of this seminar is Japanese. However, students are also encouraged to make presentations, join discussion, write reports in English as well (semi-bilingual environment). Be aware that basic understanding of Japanese language will be recommended to fully participate in this seminar.
The seminar "International Security and Global Governance" (A-type/4 credits) aims at enhancing the understanding of contemporary international politics and security in the world through examining theories, policy frameworks and practices. Students are required to proactively pursue your own research agenda, participate in the crisis simulation exercise, contribute in group-works, and write a term research paper.
The international system has undergone significant changes. 15 years ago (around 2003), when the United States was recognized as “unipolar moment”, main subjects of international security are interventions in Afghanistan and Iraq as well as international coordination on counter-terrorism. The globalization and deepening economic interdependence created notions for regional integration in Europe and Asia.
However, with the global shift of distribution of power, the United States no longer maintains unipolar structure. The rise of China challenges the existing region and global order. Middle East is in mess. The momentum of European integration has largely been waned as the result, but not limited to, of the Brexit. Geopolitical and historical tensions still linger in Northeast Asia.
We are now entering in the era where we need to change the prism/framework of looking into the world and regional affairs. Examples include: 1) from US-centric power and order to multi-actor equilibrium, 2) from traditional deterrence to multi-layered anti-access and denial, 3) from ‘legacy’ military capability to high-tech, cyber, and space technologies, 4) from liberal international order to non-liberal state capitalism, 5) redefinition of ‘global commons’ (maritime order, cyber and space). This seminar will grapple squarely with emerging agendas that we face in 2010s and 2020s.
Below are examples of themes for the ‘group-work’ for this semester:
The rise of China and the change of international system
North Korea’s nuclear and missile developments
Current trends of international terrorism
The agenda for peace-building