Course Name Year Term Period Faculty / Graduate School All Instructors Credits
10771:Liberal Arts Seminar (15) § 10772:Theme Study (15) § 10773:Special Lecture (15) 2022 Fall Wed2 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 Comprehensive Psychology,College of Science and Engineering,College of Gastronomy Management,College of Information Science and Engineering,College of Life Sciences,College of Sport and Health Science (tentative name) SUZUKI TOSHIRO 2

Campus

KIC

Class Venue

Kinugasa

Language

English

Course Outline and Method

 [ Theme ] Basic theories of international relations-Getting acquainted with analytical methods and historical cases

 [ Class Summary ]   International politics relates the well-being of our daily lives a great deal through issues of security, international economy, and global agenda, including climate change and pandemics. Today, a better understanding of international politics will require close observation of the traditional military power and complex interactions between various transnational factors. The concepts and methods developed in international relations for analyzing different aspects of global politics provide us with valuable tools for identifying the problems and exploring the solutions.
This seminar offers an overview of notable theories and approaches that characterize international relations and examines historical case studies.
The class takes place based on text material. In each session, students will make presentations on the designated subject, followed by commentary of the instructor and discussion by the participants.

Student Attainment Objectives

Students will be able;
(1) To understand the basic concepts and analytical methods on international politics
(2) To become familiarized with notable historical case studies
(3) To understand the efficacy and limitations of analytical exercise and the use of historical analogy
(4) To develop interests in various aspects of global politics

Recommended Preparatory Course

【Stage 3】 This class is open for the students with the following English ability: a TOEFL ITP®test score between 480 and 530, a TOEFL iBT®test score between 55 and 71, a TOEIC®test score between 580 and 630, an IELTS score above 5.0, or equivalent.
*TOEIC®, TOEFL® are the registered trademarks of Educational Testing Service(ETS).

Knowledge of world history or philosophy at the high school curriculum level will be helpful but not mandatory

Course Schedule

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

Introductory guidance

Briefings on the study objectives and class management

2

What is international politics?

anarchic system of states, realist, liberalist, constructivists

3

The Peloponnesian War-a historical case

Thucydides, Athens, Sparta

4

Ethics and international politics

skeptics, state moralists, cosmopolitans, just war

5

Main concepts

state, nation-state, power, authority, system, national interests

6

levels of analysis

he system, state, individual, paradigms, theories

7

Balance of power

Westphalia, Concert of Europe, Bismarck, realpolitik

8

The origins of the First World War

deep causes, intermediate causes, precipitating causes

9

Collective security

the League of Nations, war guilt clause, the Treaty of Locarno, Kellogg-Briand Pact, Manchurian Case

10

The origins of the Second World War

Hitler, expansionist strategy, appeasement, the Pacific War

11

Collective security after the Second World War

United Nations, UN Charter Chapter7, UN Security council

12

The Cold War-1

deterrence, containment, Truman Doctrine, the Korean War, Vietnam War

13

The Cold War-2

nuclear deterrence, the balance of terror, MAD. the Cuban missile crisis

14

Post cold war conflict management

international law, PKO, intervention, sovereignty

15

Globalization and interdependence

concept of interdependence, nationalism, non-state actors

Class Format

All 15 classes are on-line-classes (live) irrespective of the BCP level.

Recommendations for Private Study

Intensive reading of the text material is most important. It is also advisable to get familiar with media reports and commentaries on various aspects of contemporary global politics

Grade Evaluation Method

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

Report Examination
(A report to be submitted by the unified deadline)
50

Report Examination will access students’ thoughts on a subject relating to the seminar’s contents. It will look into whether the argument shows logically and persuasively based on the lectures and discussions held in the class.

Exams and/or Reports other than those stated above, and Continuous Assessment 
(Evaluation of Everyday Performance in Class)
50

Students' attitudes and performance will be subject to consideration through presentations and discussions.

Grade Evaluation Method (Note)

Advice to Students on Study and Research Methods

Textbooks

Title Author Publisher ISBN Code Comment
UNDERSTANDING GLOBAL CONFLICT AND COOPERATION: AN INTRODUCTION TO THEORY AND HISTORY (10TH EDITION) JOSEPH S NYE JR, DAVID WELCH PEARSON 13 978-0134403168

Textbooks (Frequency of Use, Note)

Copy of the textbook excerpts relevant to the class will be available in advance. Purchase of the textbook is not mandatory

Reference Books

Reference Books (Frequency of Use, Note)

Web Pages for Reference

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

Learning Management System (manaba+R),Talk with Students

Other Comments

This seminar’s instructor used to work with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. His expertise gained through the work experience will reflect in the class.
【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:http://www.ritsumei.ac.jp//students/pathways-future/course/curriculum.html