Course Name Year Term Period Faculty / Graduate School All Instructors Credits
12503:[2025 Spring]IR18‐AE110 Introduction to the United Nations (RA) § 12504:IR-DS102 Introduction to The United Nations(RA) § 12505:Introduction to the United Nations (RA) § 12506:RUIR-1411 Introduction to the United Nations(RA) 2025 Spring Thu5 College　Of　Law,College　Of　Economics,College　Of　Business　Administration,College　Of　Social　Sciences,College　Of　International　Relations,College　Of　Policy　Science,College　Of　Letters,College　of　Image　Arts　and　Sciences,College　of　Science　and　Engineering,College　of　Information　Science　and　Engineering,College　of　Sport　and　Health　Science　(tentative　name) ISHIKAWA SACHIKO 2

Campus

KIC

Class Venue

MEIGAKUKAN　MG002

Language

英語

Course Outline and Method

【+R-Jugyo】
Information for “+R-Jugyo” will be posted on the “Course News” on manaba+R by April 1. Be sure to check the “Course News” on manaba+R.

“Can the United Nations, established in the 20th century, meet the new challenges of the 21st century?” The United Nations, which was founded after the Second World War for peace and security, is now 79 years old and is facing the challenges of globalizing world, which include climate changes, infectious diseases, domestic/regional conflicts, refugee issues and terrorism. The role of the United Nations is thus becoming more important. On the other hand, the issue of national sovereignty versus the United Nations remains a major constraint on UN operations.
In light of these circumstances, the course, the first of all, provides students with a better understanding of the purpose of the United Nations, the history of its establishment, and its principles. These are followed by actors and organizations involved in the activities of the United Nations (Member States, principal organs, specialized agencies, Programs, and Funds). Next, the course examines three main areas of the UN activities in the order of peace and security, human rights promotion/humanitarian assistance, and economic and social activities.
In the field of peace and security, in addition to the concept of collective security, the functions and limits of the Security Council, and peacekeeping operations (PKO), the course touches upon peace mediations and Peacebuilding Commission. In the field of human rights and humanitarian assistance, the course focuses on human rights promotion activities and refugee relief operations. In the area of economic and social activities, the course examines the activities of the United Nations in response to the changes in the international community over the last 79 years. The course then closely looks at Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that all the Member States are currently working on and the concept of human security that supports the achievements of the SDGs.
Throughout the course, students will be able to understand the activities of the United Nations in a more realistic manner by highlighting not only the United Nations as an organization but also human stories of those who have been involved in the activities of the United Nations including international civil servants. Two guest speakers are scheduled to be invited during the semester.
Although the course is conducted mainly by lectures, it is aimed at “thinking lessons” by emphasizing dialogues with the lecturer and group discussions among students.

Keywords: United Nations, collective security, human rights/humanitarian assistance, sustainable development

Student Attainment Objectives

 Students will be able to explain the roles of six major organs of the United Nations.
 Students will be able to explain how the UN has responded to changes in the international community from the time it was founded through the Cold War, in terms of security, human rights and humanitarian assistance, and economic and social activities.
 Students will o be able to explain differences in the positions of the first UN (Member States), the second UN (secretariat, specialized agencies and programs) and the third UN (NGOs) and their respective roles in national and international public interests.

Recommended Preparatory Course

Course Schedule

Lecture/Instructor（When there are multiple instructors) Theme
Keyword, References and Supplementary Information
1

Objectives of the United Nations and its background history

Understand the expected role of the United Nations and its characteristics by explaining the purpose of the United Nations emerging from its historical background.

World War I and the League of Nations, World War II and the United Nations, UN Charter, Enemy state clauses (Articles 53, 77 & 107 of the UN Charter)

2

Principles of the United Nations

Lay the foundation for understanding the possibilities and limits of UN operations in each area by scrutinizing the seven principals set out in Article 2 of the UN Charter.

Article 2 of the UN Charter

3

Member States and Secretariat of the United Nations

Understand the qualifications and recognition issues of new Member States (Cold War, national recognition, integration and separation of states) of the United Nations. Grasp the roles of the Secretary-General, the Secretariat including international civil servants, which are indispensable for the operation of the United Nations.

Status of Member States, Secretariat, Secretary-General, international civil servants

4

Organizational structure and functions of the United Nations (1)

Understand the powers and functions of the principal bodies (General Assembly, Security Council, Economic and Social Council).

General Assembly, Security Council, Economic and Social Council

5

Organizational structure and functions of the United Nations (2)

Understand the powers and functions of the principal bodies (Trusteeship Council, International Court of Justice). Understand the establishment, activities and financial resources of UN specialized agencies, Programs and Funds, that practice the principles of the United Nations.

Trusteeship Council, International Court of Justice, Article 63 of the UN Charter, Programs and Funds established by the General Assembly

6

The United Nations for peace and security (1)

Understand the ideas of the UN Charter, such as the principle of prohibiting the use of force, the exercise of the right to self-defense (individually and collectively), and the collective security that envisions the UN army. Also delve into the functions and limits of the Security Council.

principle of prohibiting the use of force, self-defense, collective security, UN Army, Security Council, Permanent Members of the Security Council, veto power

7

The United Nations for peace and security (2)

Understand peaceful settlement of disputes, enforcement measures (economic and military sanctions) as well as peacekeeping operations (PKO) that complements the incomplete UN collective security system. In addition to these, understand peace mediation and the Peace Commission as new lines of work for peace and security.

peaceful settlement of disputes, enforcement measures (economic and military sanctions), coalition forces, PKO, peace mediation, Peace Commission

8

The United Nations for peace and security (3)

Understand the changes in the functions of the peacekeeping operations (PKO) in response to the demand of the times. Deepen the understandings of PKO’s activities and challenges by examining specific cases of PKO.

first generation of PKO, second generation of PKO, third generation of PKO, Palestine (UNTSO), Suez Crisis (UNEF), Cambodia (UNTAC), Somalia (UNOSOM), Bosnia-Herzegovina (UNPROFOR), Rwanda (UNAMIR), East Timor (UNAMET)

9

The United Nations for human rights and humanitarian assistance (1)

Understand the development of human rights protection and promotion activities of the United Nations by examining various human rights covenants and treaties, the activities of the Human Rights Council and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).

Universal Declaration of Human Rights, International Covenants on Human Rights (civil and political rights, and economic, social and cultural rights), Human Rights Council, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)

10

The United Nations for human rights and humanitarian assistance (2)

Understand the transition of refugee assistance that has been conducted by UN High Commissioner for Refugees for 70 years after World War II. Also examine the effects and limitations of humanitarian intervention and the responsibility to protect (R2P).

UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Convention Relating the Status of Refugees and its Protocol, Global Compact on Refugees, humanitarian intervention, the responsibility to protect

11

The United Nations for economic and social activities (1)

Understand the trends and focuses within the United Nations from the time it was founded to the 1970s regarding post-war reconstruction, support for emerging independent nations, and subsequent North-South issues.

Bretton Woods System, self-determination of people, UN Development Decade, North-South issues

12

The United Nations for economic and social activities (2)

Understand that when the debt problems in developing countries became more serious in the 1980s, structural adjustment led by the World Bank became a mainstream solution. In the 1990s, focus shifted to economic and social development and the response to climate change as important UN mandates.

structural adjustment, development paradigm, human development index, climate change

13

The United Nations for economic and social activities (3)

Understand that since 2000, the concept of human security has gradually consolidated in the United Nations. The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the subsequent Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have been adopted. All the member states are expected to make efforts in achieving the SDGs.

Human security, Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

14

Prospects and challenges for the United Nations

In response to the question, “is the United Nations founded in the 20th century capable of responding to new challenges in the 21st century?” let us think prospects and challenges of the United Nations by reviewing the issues of national sovereignty, various UN policies of Member States, and emerging global issues.

national sovereignty versus UN, UN’s centripetal force on global issues, reform of the Security Council

Class Format

The first class will be held on Zoom online; from the second class, unless otherwise announced by the instructor, classes will generally be held in person.

Recommendations for Private Study

 Check keywords listed in this syllabus prior to attending the class.
 Review the lecture contents with handouts after the class
 Check articles of the UN Charter and treaties mentioned in the class.
 Read at least one reference book listed below to grasp the whole picture of the UN activities.
 Follow up the activities of the United Nations with press reports and the homepage of the United Nations.

Grade Evaluation Method

Kind Percentage Grading Criteria etc.
Final Examination (Written) 0

Report Examination
(A report to be submitted by the unified deadline)

 
Exams and/or Reports other than those stated above, and Continuous Assessment　
(Evaluation of Everyday Performance in Class)		 100

40% for evaluation based on class participation including submission of communication papers and attendance cards with small assignments.
60% for a report on a UN related theme will be required. The topic and other details will be announced in due course.

Grade Evaluation Method （Note）

Advice to Students on Study and Research Methods

AI use/ fraud will be discussed in detail in the first class.

Textbooks

Textbooks （Frequency of Use, Note）

No specific textbook is designated for this course

Reference Books

Title Author Publisher ISBN Code Comment
The United Nations and Changing World politics Thomas G. Weiss et al. Routledge ISBN978-0-367-35391-9
The United Nations A very short introduction Jussi M. Hanhimaki Oxford University Press ISBN978-0-19-022270-3
Global Governance and the United Nations Thomas G, Weiss, Ramesh Thakur Indiana University ISBN978-0-253-22167-4

Reference Books （Frequency of Use, Note）

Other books and relevant academic papers are to be introduced in the class.

Web Pages for Reference

How to Communicate with the Instructor In and Out of Class(Including Instructor Contact Information)

Learning Management System （manaba+R）,Other (Separate instructions will be provided)

Other Comments

The lecturer has professional working experiences with United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) for seven years in Thailand and Hong Kong. She continued dealing with the United Nations and other relevant international and regional organizations while subsequently working for a Japanese foundation and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The lecturer intends to share with students her practical experiences in the UN especially in the fields of humanitarian assistance and peacebuilding aside from her academic background on the United Nations. The lecturer also provides training courses with several international organizations in Bangkok for students who would like to pursue their future careers in the United Nations and specialized agencies.

Students may contact the lecturer through emails.
The lecturer's email address is: sachi-i@fc.ritsumei.ac.jp
【科目ナンバリング・カリキュラムマップはこちらから/Click here to see the Curriculum-Map and Course-Numbering】
URL:https://secure.ritsumei.ac.jp/students/pathways-future/course/curriculum.html/