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.