GISDepartment of Global and Interdisciplinary Studies

This course explores the emerging field of peacebuilding in international relations, with a focus on the social, economic and political dynamics of war and peace, conflict prevention and resolution, use of force, and other issues. The course is designed for upper-level undergraduate students specializing in global studies, international relations, security and similar programs. Building on lectures, discussions and conceptual/ analytical reflections on the weekly readings, it aims to enhance understanding of critical issues and challenges related to international peacebuilding processes, as well as their transformation in today’s global politics. Course readings are mainly selected from academic journals and research monographs. This is a student-centered course in which the student learning experience forms the core of each class.

By the end of the course, successful students will be able to link theory with policy issues. In particular, they will be able to:
- Explain various conceptual and theoretical frameworks of peacebuilding in international relations;
- Analyze the legal, political and ethical aspects of armed conflicts and their resolution in accordance with international law;
- Identify links between humanitarian interventions and prospects for sustainable peacebuilding;
- Understand the growing role of humanitarian factors as well as their specific challenges and constrains in post-conflict peacebuilding;
- Integrate knowledge, skills and competences in peace and conflict studies, international relations, international law, and the emerging field of peacebuilding;
- Enhance independent research skills, including academic writing, critical thinking and analytical presentation skills.

Will be able to gain “DP 1”, “DP 2”, “DP 3”, and “DP 4”.

英語 / English

The teaching methods of this course will combine lectures and discussions with active learning tools designed for each class. In addition, feedback will be provided after student presentations, discussions, and group work ("good", or "what needs to be improved", etc.). Detailed written comments on the discussion paper and the final exam will be provided individually. These comments will be emailed or posted on the designated course website within 1-3 weeks of submission. The class will meet once a week for 100 minutes. Please note that the learning approach may vary from face-to-face to virtual and vice-versa depending on the pandemic situation.

あり / Yes

なし / No

授業形態/methods of teaching：対面/face to face

※各回の授業形態は予定です。教員の指示に従ってください。

1[オンライン/online]：Introduction

Explanation of the course syllabus: weekly readings, assignments, grading requirements, etc.
What is peacebuilding?
Elements of peacebuilding

2[オンライン/online]：Peace and Peacebuilding in International Relations

Positive and negative peace
Theoretical diversity (realism, liberalism, constructivism, cosmopolitanism, critical theory)
Practical approaches to peace: preventive diplomacy, peacemaking, peacekeeping and peacebuilding
Academic writing/analytical presentation workshop: basic techniques

3[オンライン/online]：Conflicts

Definition of armed conflicts under international law
Civil conflicts in the post-Cold War period
Conflict analysis and conflict complexes

4[対面/face to face]：Prevention

What is conflict prevention?
Early warning signs
Instruments for conflict prevention

5[対面/face to face]：Mediation and Negotiation

Mediation
Negotiation
Peace agreements

6[対面/face to face]：Use of Force

General prohibition of the use of armed force
Special cases of the use of armed force in response to mass atrocities:
- UN Security Council: Chapter VII
- UN General Assembly: "Uniting for Peace"

7[対面/face to face]：Humanitarian Intervention

Political and legal issues of humanitarian interventions - de lege lata and de lege ferenda
Moral and ethical aspects of humanitarian interventions
Structural problems of humanitarian interventions

8[対面/face to face]：Coercion and Enforcement

Sanctions
Peacekeeping operations
Peace enforcement: R2P
Case study: The "New UN Peacekeeping" in Cambodia

9[対面/face to face]：Peacebuilding: International and Regional Frameworks

Role of international organizations
The UN in peace processes
Regional peacebuilding architectures

10[対面/face to face]：Peacebuilding: Local Contexts and Development

Role of "The Local" in peacebuilding
Resources and processes
Dilemmas of humanitarian relief

11[対面/face to face]：Peacebuilding: Human Security, Human Rights and Governance

Human security - human rights synergy: article 28 of the UDHR
Dimensions of human security: UNDP Human Development Report 1994
Human security - peacebuilding nexus

12[対面/face to face]：Peacebuilding: Women and Security

Feminist approaches to peace and peacebuilding
Human security, women’s security and gender justice
UN Security Council resolution 1325

13[対面/face to face]：Challenges of Peacebuilding for the 2020s

New forms of violence
Terrorism, revolution and unconventional warfare
Gendering international affairs
Climate challenges
Global health: era of pandemics?
Peer evaluation of final presentations

14[対面/face to face]：The Future of Peacebuilding and Final Exam

Group discussion of course topics
Peer evaluation of final presentations

Preparatory study and review time for this class is 2 hours per week. In addition, each assignment will require 2 to 5 hours of preparation each week, including discussion papers, final exam and other activities.

There are no required textbooks for this course. Handouts and readings such as journal articles, primary and other texts will be posted on the course website through Hoppii.

• Richard K. Betts, Conflict After the Cold War: Arguments on Causes of War and Peace, 5th ed. (Routledge, 2017).

• Henry F. Carey, Peacebuilding Paradigms: The Impact of Theoretical Diversity on Implementing Sustainable Peace (Cambridge University Press, 2020).

• Mary Kaldor, New and Old Wars, 3rd ed. (Cambridge : Polity , 2012).

• Aigul Kulnazarova and Vesselin Popovski, The Palgrave Handbook of Global Approaches to Peace (Palgrave Macmillan, 2019).

• Roland Paris, At War’s End: Building Peace after Civil Conflict (Cambridge University Press, 2004).

• Oliver P. Richmond, Peace in International Relations (Routledge, 2006).

• Peter Wallensteen, Understanding Conflict Resolution, 5th ed. (Sage, 2019).

Participation and learning attitude: 20%
Participation does not mean only attendance. It includes both consistent attendance and good preparation for class discussions based on weekly readings, lecture topics, and contributions to group activities. Active participation in class discussions, as well as critical assessment of the assigned course reading and peer interpretations are essential to ensure the success of the course and its learning outcomes.

Discussion paper: 40%
In addition to regular reading, each student will be required to discuss 1-2 journal articles as per the weekly schedule. Starting from the third week, the last 40 minutes of each session will be devoted to at least two presentations (15-20 minutes each) based on your discussion papers. Each student should critically discuss selected journal article(s) and submit core points on 3-4 double-spaced pages within one week of the presentation. The discussion paper should focus on the theoretical knowledge and empirical evidence related to the argumentation of the article(s), assess whether the author succeeds in his/her goals, and establish links to other course topics. The second week will include an academic writing workshop and detailed instructions on how to write a discussion paper and prepare an analytical presentation.

Final exam: 40%
The final exam consists of short and long critical essays and will be conducted in an open book format for a fixed period of time. This requires students to work independently, using their own words and drawing on course lectures, handouts, and reading materials (no external sources should be consulted). Detailed instructions will be provided a week before the exam.

This course turned out to be somewhat difficult due to the fact that students were not so accustomed to participatory and active learning methods, in particular critical thinking, independent reading and writing in accordance with academic standards and specific techniques of each discipline, class discussion and peer interpretations, etc. Therefore, while continuing to adhere to my teaching philosophy of participatory and active learning, I have changed some assignments/ requirements and added an academic writing/analytical presentation workshop to gradually help students improve their learning skills and habits. I look forward to achieving these goals together!

PC for class use when needed (no smartphones and other digital devices will be allowed without permission)

Final grade:
Please note that your final grade will be calculated based on your participation, learning attitude, discussion paper and final exam (see, “Grading Criteria”). In no case will your final grade be assessed for just one component. In addition, failure to complete one of the components will result in course failure. Remember that your final grade is the accumulation of points earned during the semester. Please plan your learning goals ahead of time, including your expected grade.

Course syllabus:
This is an abridged version of the syllabus for prior reference. A detailed syllabus with weekly readings and assignments will be shared at the beginning of the semester.

Previous course participation:
Although no prerequisites are required for the course, previous participation in international relations, international law, international security, human rights, global politics, and/or development is recommended.

No course prerequisites are required.