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The Hiroshima-Nagasaki Peace Study Course
Basic Concepts and Content (Proposal)
1. Significance of Hiroshima-Nagasaki
Peace Study Course
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To
take up the messages of the hibakusha as a legitimate academic subject; to objectively
reexamine the meaning of the messages that have been communicated
based on the A-bomb
experience in the context of various academic disciplines;
and to communicate this
meaning. |
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2. Basic concept
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In order to logically analyze and organize the thoughts and feelings expressed
in the messages of the hibakusha and to build an empirical theoretical
framework based on these meanings, our view is that course content must
be based on the following points.
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(A) |
By
scientifically communicating the facts of the A-bomb experiences of Hiroshima
and Nagasaki, the courses will impart to students accurate information about
the power of nuclear weapons.
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(a) |
How
did the people who experienced the bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki and
endured an experience beyond imaginations manage to respond as human beings?
What effect did their experiences have on human history, particularly on world
views, views of nation states, scientific technology, military and nuclear
policy, literature, and the arts? Objective study of these questions will help
clarify the meaning of the A-bomb experience. The courses will also teach how
the experience has been interpreted in various academic disciplines, the arts,
etc.
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(C) |
The
courses must convey that the A-bomb experience and the messages of the hibakusha are not merely relevant to Hiroshima and Nagasaki
but have universal import. In particular, we hope that students will naturally
come to perceive that this message, with a direct bearing on the future of
humankind must be a part of contemplating the meaning of human existence.
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3. Course structure
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The
course will be comprised of an introductory course at each university and fieldwork
in Hiroshima City. |
iSee Attachmentj
3.1. Introductory Course
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@ |
These comprehensive courses will include the history of war and nuclear
weapons, the@power of nuclear weapons, the facts about the atomic bombing,
the lives and social movements of the hibakusha, peace policies and the
influence of the hibakusha on these. The courses will use specific examples
to empirically examine how the message of the hibakusha has been interpreted
in various academic disciplines. Students will ponder the meaning and role
of these messages and consider how best to communicate their universal
import around the world and to future generations.
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A |
Each university will introduce the introductory course into a class within
the academic discipline it finds suitable. Possible disciplines include:
peace education, political science, international law, philosophy, sociology,
history, psychology, education, literature, art, physics, medical science,
and social sciences.
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iSee Attachmentj
3.2. Fieldwork
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Students
who have completed the core study program will visit the A-bombed City of
Hiroshima. This reinforcement of their theoretical study is intended to impress them with the immense force of nuclear weapons. Similarly, face-to-face encounters with hibakusha and their message will help them hear what they
are saying with a minimum of interference. These experiences are intended to give students a new understanding of the universal import of
the message. |
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A |
The fieldwork will include the following general content, which each
university can adjust according to its particular situation.
-- Tour Peace Memorial Museum, Hiroshima Peace Memorial Hall for the Atomic
@ Bomb Victims
-- Listening to A-bomb survivor testimonials
-- Explanation of the societal effects of the atomic bombing
-- Explanation of the medical effects of the atomic bombing
-- Discussion (If possible, they will engage in discussions with students
in
@ Hiroshima.)
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4. The role of Hiroshima
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To disseminate the course in universities around the world, the Hiroshima
Peace Culture Foundation will cooperate with Hiroshima City University and the Hiroshima
Peace Institute in providing the necessary assistance.
Assistance will largely be in the form of providing
materials and human resources, but taking into consideration the intentions of
the various institutions and effectiveness of their programs with respect to
the overall program, financial assistance may be granted in some cases.
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4.1. Assistance for core curriculum
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We
will draw up and distribute a resource guide (list of reading materials, etc.)
for use in devising the core curriculum. |
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A |
If
desired by the universities involved, we will establish a course accreditation
system and research assistance system. |
4.2. Assistance for
fieldwork
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Each university is responsible for paying the air fares of its students to
and from Hiroshima; Hiroshima City will provide venues and lecturers. |
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A |
If a student who has completed the Hiroshima-Nagasaki Course at a given
university wishes to study peace issues at a university in Hiroshima, we
will study the possibility of assisting that student. |
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