The concept of "human security" was first introduced in the 1994 Human
Development Report by the United Nations Development Program. It has
since attracted growing attention in the academic and policy
communities around the world. The concept has also become part of
official policy in some countries, including Japan and Canada. In
contrast to the traditional concept of "national security" with its
focus on the security of the state against military threats, "human
security" emphasizes the protection of individual citizens¹ security
not only from war and other forms of physical violence but also from
threats of a political, economic, social, cultural, and environmental
nature. At the most fundamental level, ³human security² is defined as
"freedom from fear" and "freedom from want," but beyond that there are
competing approaches to it, as well as critical challenges to it both
as a concept and as a guide for national or international policy.

This course will critically examine:

(1) "human security" as a concept;

(2) opportunities and challenges in translating the concept into
policy"; and

(3) case studies of human security problems and policies
from around the world.