Peace Studies in Hiroshima

Course Description

Hiroshima is not merely a site memorializing its tragic experience of atomic bombing in the last century, but a vigorous city in the new century, where students from diverse backgrounds can come together to study and discuss various important issues related to world peace. The need to rethink the legacy of Hiroshima has been increasing, as the current situation of the world has created serious new threats to peace. In this course, lectures will be given by specialists in peace research and Asian, European and North American studies, with particular reference to: (1) cross-cultural perceptions (e.g., roles of the media in foreign image building), (2) regional security, (3) perspectives on peace and violence, (4) nuclear weapons (e.g., DU weapons as the "nuclear shadow"), and (5) globalization and approaches to peace. Besides these lectures, the course will feature several special programs, including visits to the Atomic Bomb Dome and Peace Memorial Museum, participation in the Peace Memorial Ceremony (August 6), and discussion with an atomic bomb survivor.
Both undergraduate and graduate students (those who are enrolled in a Master's or Doctoral program) are eligible to earn credits in the course.

Course Objectives

Undergraduate Level: The aim of this course is to provide students with a general understanding of the nature and attributes of war and peace by illuminating various aspects of wartime experiences, including the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, and, at the same time, to explore contemporary issues related to world peace in the era of globalization.
It is designed primarily for second and third year undergraduate students, who are expected to gain a deeper knowledge of the importance of peace-making by participating in lectures, discussions, and featured programs. The course will be conducted in English, so the ability to use spoken and written English is essential.

Graduate Level: In addition to most of the undergraduate lectures and special programs, graduate students will attend several more advanced lectures and discussion sessions and will pursue research in a specialized area under the guidance of a faculty advisor.

- Advisors List for Graduate Level Students -
Participants in this level must conduct a research project and write a paper under one of the following supervisors. Basically, one faculty member will take one student, or at most, two. Therefore, there is a possibility that your first choice of supervisor cannot be granted.

Name	Theme	Available days
RINNERT, Carol	1) Analysis of spoken or written peace-related discourse 2) Variation in communication styles or norms of appropriate behavior in specific social contexts	weekdays
INOUE, Yasuhiro	Mass Media Effects, International Communication (Global Media) in Peace Building, and Journalism	weekdays
MOMOSE, Hiroshi*	Power politics and a small country - a case of post-war history of Finnland-	August 4
JACOBS, Robert*	American History, Popular Culture Studies, History of Science, Nuclear History	weekdays

(* you may need to meet the advisor at a place other than the university )

Assessment

Undergraduate students' grades for the course will be based on the quality of their participation in the classes and activities and their performance on a comprehensive final exam. Graduate students will be evaluated on the basis of class participation, the final exam, and a research assignment.

For detailed schedule of lectures and activities,
click HERE.

Hiroshima City University
Faculty of International Studies
Office of Intensive Summer Course