KANSAI GAIDAI UNIVERSITY JAPAN

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Japan and Nuclear WeaponsThe nuclear weapon is the single most lethal instrument of war that the human race ever invented. Its sheer destructive force itself justifies the interest in it. However, nuclear weapons also have a great impact on international politics as well as on Japan, which is the only country to have sustained the full force of nuclear weapons. All the countries in the world including Japan after they watched or experienced the formidable impact of the nuclear weapon in the actual battlefield in 1945 have to answer three questions: Should states acquire this absolute weapon; is it good to spread nuclear weapons across countries; and could or should states use this weapon if necessary? This course will be a journey to find answers to these questions.Can We Enforce Human Rights?: Understanding and Evaluating Human Rights Enforcement Mecha-nisms in AsiaIt's been said that almost all states obey international human rights obligations almost all of the time, but what happens when they don't? What systems exist to compel states to uphold their international human rights obligations? This upper-level course will survey the global human rights landscape, from Eastern and Western philosophical underpinnings, the codification of human rights norms in national courts, and a thorough examination of United Nations human rights enforcement mechanisms, including the Universal Periodic Review. This interdisciplinary course will introduce case studies from Japan and broader Asia as evidence of state compliance.Tyrants, Dictators and Strongmen: Exploring Authoritarian Rule in Asia and the Struggle for DemocracyMore than half of Asia has never known democracy—and may never will. Do Asian countries really prefer strong, authoritarian leadership? Asia has a rich history of colorful, yet autocratic rulers—from Ferdinand Marcos in the Philippines, Lee Kuan Yew in Singapore, to the current military junta in Thailand. This interdisciplinary course offers a fresh look at the prospects for democracy in the region, with distinct case studies from China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, and the Philippines. Through multiple lenses and larger-than-life personalities, students will explore the symptoms and causes of authoritarianism in Asia.Asian Regionalism and Economic DevelopmentWith the goal of providing an overview of Asia as a region, this course begins first by addressing the nature, functional principles, leadership, and policy making process of Asian region-alism. It will also introduce and assess the origins and its develop-ments of leading regional cooperation mechanisms: ASEAN, Six-Party Talks (Northeast Asian Security Cooperation Architec-ture), SAARC, and SCO. The second part of the course will focus on the key factors that influence growth and development in Asian economies. Globalization, Culture & Identity in East AsiaContemporary discussions of globalization will be put into historical perspective in this unique course, through an examina-tion of the interactions of East Asian states have with each other and the rest of the world. Specifically, it focuses on how globaliza-tion affects the formation of culture and identity in East Asian nations. Students will examine the different ways in which East Asian communities interact and exchange ideas and culture and material goods. This course will also examine how different modes such as travel and tourism and globalizing forms of popular culture contribute to identity formation in East Asian nations.Politics and Security Challenges in East AsiaHow have history and politics shaped security in East Asia? This course provides insight into sources of state behaviour and prospects for regional stability and instability. Particular attention is given to the foundations of tensions between China, Japan, Taiwan, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, North Korea, and South Korea as they negotiate their changing economic and military status. In addition, this course also consid-ers some implications for Australian policy towards the region.International Relations of AsiaInternational relations of Asia are complex and are more and more taking center stage in world politics. The region embodies enormous potential, represented by explosive economic growth and vibrant societies. It also contains major risks to regional and global stability, rooted in conflicting national interests and identities and strategic competition among great powers. The course focuses on strategic aspects related to the growing security tensions within the region. It applies international relations theories to cover historical developments, key actors in Asian politics (U.S, China, Japan, India, ASEAN), and key issues (rise of China, Taiwan, the Korean peninsula, regional cooperation).Japan's Security Policy and IR TheoryHow has Japan’s security policy evolved since the post-War era? While focusing on Japan’s security policy, this course surveys wider areas including domestic politics and Japan’s relationships with other countries, especially with the United States. By taking a theoretical approach, it aims to encourage students to think and analyze issues logically and critically. Each class will be followed by a tutorial session.Japanese Politics and Public Policy from a Theo-retical PerspectiveAs an upper-level introduction to Japanese politics, primarily after WWII, this course will first be focusing on explaining the rise of the LDP, its long-term dominance, ultimate collapse, and re-emergence as the strongest party in Japan. Second, students 26