Seminar in International Relations: Human Security and Structural Violence

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1 Political Science Cape Breton University Seminar in International Relations: Human Security and Structural Violence POLS credits Terry Gibbs terry_gibbs@cbu.ca Office hours: Mon/Wed 9-11:30am Office: CC257 Poverty is the worst form of violence. Mahatma Gandhi You can t separate peace from freedom because no one can be at peace unless he has his freedom. Malcolm X Course Description: This seminar course examines the relationship between the concepts of human security and human development examining international efforts and structures for their promotion. We will focus particularly on the structures of the global economy that impact human security. We will analyze traditional approaches to security which focus on analyses of conflict and violence and compare these to the broader concept of human security which incorporates ideas of human welfare and dignity. We will be concerned with identifying the values, processes and institutional structures that might engender this broader view. Seminars will give students the opportunity to critically engage with a broad range of human security issues including human rights, globalization, violence, revolution, poverty and the environment. Within the framework of human security, this course will raise questions such as: How can we explain poverty when there is so much wealth in the world? Does globalization aggravate or alleviate human rights abuses? When if ever is it acceptable to engage in violence to promote social justice? Why do some people engage in reform while others call for revolution? What kind of alternative social order may promote true global social justice and peace? Through the course students will: Critically reflect on contemporary issues of human security and structural violence. Gain a foundation in the discourse of human security and structural violence, applying this knowledge to important contemporary cases. Develop an understanding of the United Nations approach to human security. Hone skills in research, presentation and facilitation.

2 Pols 4130 Outline,p.2 Course Text: Leech, Garry. Capitalism: A Structural Genocide. Zed Books, Additional Readings: Additional readings related to seminar topics, assignment information and class notices will be posted on the course moodle site. Note: It is important that you come to seminars prepared to engage in discussion. You may find it helpful to take notes during your reading, pointing to key issues raised by the author/s and any comments or questions you feel should be raised in class. Course Assessment: Participation 30% Critical reflections 10% each) 20% (due one week after seminar topic chosen, fall semester) Case Study Presentation (winter semester) 20% Research Paper pages (due March 24) 30% Useful Resources: Commission on Human Security ( United Nations Commission on Human Security, Human Security Now. New York: United Nations, 2003 Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade ( Amnesty International ( Human Rights Watch ( UN High Commissioner for Human Rights ( UNDP Human Development Report 2013 Summary, The Rise of the South: Human Progress in a Diverse World ( The Universal Declaration of Human Rights

3 Pols 4130 Outline,p.3 Course Summary Semester One Part I: Concepts and Theories in Human Security and Structural Violence Introducing Human Security Human Security and Structural Violence When Structural Violence Becomes Structural Genocide Human Insecurity Under Capitalism Part II: Case Studies in Structural Violence The Case of Mexico The Case of India The Case of Sub-Saharan Africa Structural Violence Against Future Generations Part III: Resistance in Theory and Practice: Alternative Visions of Human Security Hegemony and Consent The Socialist Alternative The Case of Venezuela The Case of Cuba Semester Two Part IV: Studies in Non-Violent and Violent Militancy The Case for Non-Violence Non-Violence and Civil Disobedience Case Study The Case for Armed Struggle Militancy and Armed Struggle Case Study Part IV: Special Topics in Human Security Case Studies: Presentations of Student Research Conclusions and Review Schedule of Readings Semester One: Fall 2016 Part I: Concepts and Theories in Human Security Introducing Human Security Defining Human Security: Theoretical Perspectives Lessons from the Field: Applying the Human Security Approach, UN OCHA

4 Pols 4130 Outline,p.4 David Roberts, Human Insecurity: Global Structures of Violence, London: Zed Books, Introduction. Part II: Human Security: Rights and Globalization Structural Violence and Structural Genocide Text, Chapter 1. Human Insecurity Under Capitalism Text, Chapter 2. The Case of Mexico Text, Chapter 3. The Case of India Text, Chapter 3. The Case of Sub-Saharan Africa Text, Chapter 4. Structural Violence Against Future Generations Text, Chapter 5. Hegemony and Consent Text, Chapter 6. The Socialist Alternative Text, Chapter 7. The Case of Venezuela Text, Chapter 7. The Case of Cuba Text, Chapter 7.

5 Pols 4130 Outline,p.5 Semester Two: Winter 2017 The Case for Non-Violence Johan Galtung, Violence, Peace and Peace Research, Journal of Peace Research, Vol.6, No.3 (1969). Martin Luther King, Letter from Birmingham Jail, April 16, Thomas Merton, Gandhi and the One-Eyed Giant, in Gandhi on Non-Violence, New York: New Directions Publishing, Non-Violence and Civil Disobedience: Case Study Readings: TBA The Case for Armed Struggle Ward Churchill, Pacifism as Pathology Reflections on the Role of Armed Struggle in North America, Arbeiter Ring Publishing, Canada, Ché Guevara, The Essence of Guerilla Struggle in Ché Guevera Reader: Writings on Politics and Revolution, Ocean Press: 2003, pps Militancy and Armed Struggle: Case Study Readings: TBA Case Studies of Human Security and Structural Violence: Presentations of Student Research Readings TBA. Final Reflections and Conclusions Readings TBA.

6 Pols 4130 Outline,p.6 Assignment Guidelines: Basic guidelines and expectations for assignments will be discussed in class and will also be posted on moodle. Seminar Facilitation: Students will rotate in leading seminar discussions. You may choose to do this with a classmate. This involves thinking about issues raised in the readings, preparing an outline of the general themes and raising questions for discussion. Critical Reflections: You will be responsible for writing reflections (1500 words each) on two of the seminar topics, to be completed by the end of the first semester. Case Study Assignment: Your case could be a country, theme or person/group (e.g. you could select to research Guatemala or you could explore the issue of child soldiers or you may want to research the life and ideas of a social justice advocate or group through the analytical lens of human security/structural violence). In the second semester, you will choose 2 to 3 scholarly articles related to your case for the class to read in preparation for your seminar. Class should be informed of these readings two weeks prior to your seminar (these articles will be sent to the professor to be posted on the course moodle site). Task: You will identify and map a human security/structural violence problem drawing on the theories/perspectives discussed in class. You will also map out solutions either already in process or possible based on the various approaches analyzed in class. Cases will include: Background articles/reading to case country/region Identification of human security problem Identification of players/stakeholders Identification of possible solutions Note: Do not choose a case study that has already been covered in class.

7 Pols 4130 Outline,p.7 Participation: Your participation grade includes overall seminar participation and student-led discussions. In order for a seminar to really work it is essential that students read the material and come prepared to engage in discussion even if only to ask questions. No late papers or essays will be accepted without special permission. Plagiarism: When writing your assignments, make sure to properly acknowledge and/or footnote arguments, evidence or other material taken from another person s work. CBU sees plagiarism as a serious violation of academic rules. Please read carefully the notes on plagiarism in the CBU online calendar before submitting assignments. Plagiarism involves giving no recognition to an author for sentences or arguments taken from their work and used in your essays or reports. It is also a form of plagiarism to submit work that has already been submitted in another course even if it is your work.