This course is a graduate-level introduction to the diplomatic history of postwar Japan.
This course focuses on US-Japan alliance, military bases, SDF, right of collective self-defense, transfer of defense equipment and technology, territorial issues.
We will consider not only lectures but also discussions on issues such as "what is the problem", "what is the conflict over what", "what is the solution?"
By the end of this course, students will understand the points of Japanese diplomacy after World War II and have the ability to think critically.
diplomatic history, Japan's security policy, US-Japan security relations
✔ Specialist skills | Intercultural skills | ✔ Communication skills | ✔ Critical thinking skills | Practical and/or problem-solving skills |
The course will consist in a series of seminar sessions with pre‐assigned readings. Students are expected to do all the readings prior to each session, as well as attend and participate in all sessions.
The weekly sessions will focus on laying out the main arguments of the assigned readings and critically discussing them.
Course schedule | Required learning | |
---|---|---|
Class 1 | Introduction | What is diplomacy? What is "postwar" in Japan? |
Class 2 | US-Japan alliance | Understand the history and problems of the US-Japan alliance. |
Class 3 | US military bases in Japan. | Understand the history and problems of the US military bases in Japan. |
Class 4 | SDF | Understand the history and problems of the SDF. |
Class 5 | right of collective self-defense | Understand the history and problems of the right of collective self-defense. |
Class 6 | transfer of defense equipment and technology | Understand the history and problems of the transfer of defense equipment and technology. |
Class 7 | final exam |
To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes preparing for class and another 100 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.
They should do so by referring to textbooks and other course material.
See Japanese
Select as needed
Commitment: 40%
Final report: 60%
There are no pre‐requisites for the course.
shinji.kawana[at]ila.titech.ac.jp
Contact by e-mail in advance to schedule an appointment.
No classes will be given on April 14 (Wed).
Seven total classes will be held for this course: April 21 (Wed), April 28 (Wed), May 12 (Wed), May 19 (Wed), May 26 (Wed), June 2 (Wed), June 9 (Wed).