2026 (Current Year) Faculty Courses Liberal arts and basic science courses Humanities and social science courses
Essence of Humanities and Social Sciences63:International Politics
- Academic unit or major
- Humanities and social science courses
- Instructor(s)
- Koichi Ikezaki
- Class Format
- Lecture (Face-to-face)
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - 3-4 Wed (W8E-101)
- Class
- -
- Course Code
- LAH.S453
- Number of credits
- 100
- Course offered
- 2026
- Offered quarter
- 1Q
- Syllabus updated
- Apr 1, 2026
- Language
- Japanese
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
In recent years, war has once again become a contemporary issue. Japan is by no means isolated from these ongoing conflicts. Furthermore, considering that war—as a form of organized violence—has consistently applied science and technology to amplify its effects, this subject should be of profound relevance even to students majoring in the natural sciences.
Accordingly, this course examines the phenomenon of war from diverse perspectives. As Carl von Clausewitz famously noted by likening war to a chameleon that changes its appearance according to its environment, historical warfare has taken various forms depending on the state of society. Conversely, it is evident that war has remained a powerful force driving social change up to the present day.
By capturing this interaction, this course aims to recognize as realistically as possible—while acknowledging the fundamental impossibility of doing so—what it truly means to experience war, in light of contemporary testimonies and intellectual thought.
Course description and aims
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
a) Discuss how societal changes have shaped the nature of warfare and, conversely, how war has transformed society.
b) Grasp, through historical examples, how the narrative of war shifts depending on whose experiences are focused on.
c) Understand how the memory of past wars defines and constrains our identity in the present.
Keywords
War, Carl von Clausewitz, Nationalism, Industrialization, Total War, Memory
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
This course is primarily lecture-based, but incorporates class discussions and reaction papers to encourage student feedback. Detailed information, including how materials will be shared and reading lists, will be provided during the first lecture. All students are required to attend the first class.
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Introduction |
Understanding the interaction between human society and war. |
| Class 2 | Theories of War |
Providing an interdisciplinary explanation of the multifaceted nature of war and its causes. |
| Class 3 | The Modernization of War |
Tracing the process by which the latent destructiveness of war was amplified by nationalism and industrialization since the 19th century. |
| Class 4 | Total War |
Analyzing how the two World Wars in the first half of the 20th century transformed society, through reading the thoughts of contemporary intellectuals. |
| Class 5 | "Old" War vs. "New" War |
Examining the definition of modern warfare as a "instrument of policy" (Carl von Clausewitz) in contrast to pre-modern or post-modern warfare. |
| Class 6 | Soldiers and Civilians |
Considering the impact of war from the perspectives of both soldiers and civilians. |
| Class 7 | War and Memory |
Exploring the ways in which society remembers or forgets past wars, and how these processes define contemporary society, based on various case studies. |
| Class 8 | Final Exam |
Evaluate the level of understanding through an examination. |
Study advice (preparation and review)
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 reference books and other course materials.
Textbook(s)
No required textbook.
Reference books, course materials, etc.
Reading the following works will provide a helpful overview of the themes covered in this course (no purchase required):
Margaret MacMillan, War: How Conflict Shaped Us, Random House, 2020.
Evaluation methods and criteria
Grading will be based on a mid-term paper (20%) and a final exam (80%). Active class participation and the submission of reaction papers will be considered for extra credit.
Related courses
- LAH.S119 ： International Politic A
- LAH.S218 ： International Politic B
- LAH.S315 ： International Politic C
Prerequisites
No prior knowledge or specific conditions are required.
Contact information (e-mail and phone) Notice : Please replace from ”[at]” to ”@”(half-width character).
ikezaki.k.253f[at]m.isct.ac.jp
Replace [at] with @.
Office hours
Email contact in advance required for appointments.
Other
No class will be held on April 8 (Wed).
A total of seven classes will be held for this course: April 15 (Wed), April 22 (Wed), May 13 (Wed), May 20 (Wed), May 27 (Wed), June 3 (Wed), and June 5 (Fri)*.
*Please note that the final class is on a Friday.