We are pleased to welcome you to two lectures by

Professor Ron Hassner (UC Berkeley) on Nov 17th and 24th.

These talks are part of the UTokyo-UC Berkeley Strategic Partnership, and will take place in the Komaba and Hongo campuses of the University of Tokyo, respectively.

Ron Hassner is an associate professor of political science at University of California, Berkeley. His research explores the relationship between religion and conflict, focusing on territorial disputes, religion in the military, conflicts over holy places, and the pervasive role of religion on the modern battlefield. Published works include "Religion on the Battlefield" (Cornell UP 2016), "Religion in the Military Worldwide" (Cambridge 2013), and "War on Sacred Grounds" (Cornell 2009).
http://polisci.berkeley.edu/people/person/ron-hassner

If you are interested in attending, we would appreciate your RSVP through the following link.
https://goo.gl/mEDVXQ

KOMABA Lecture: "Religion and War"
URL： http://utokyo.ucberkeley.jp/en/news_and_events/lecture_hassner2

Date: November 17 (Fri) 17:30-19:00 (17:00 Open)
Venue: 21 KOMCEE Lecture Hall, Komaba I Campus, University of Tokyo
http://www.u-tokyo.ac.jp/campusmap/cam02_01_55_j.html

How does religion shape modern war? News headlines focus on how religious ideas, especially radical Islam, cause conflict. I will propose that religion matters in a variety of fascinating shapes, affecting how all soldiers think and behave on the battlefield, before, during and after war. Religion can even influence when wars take place and what targets are selected for attack. This is true not only for terrorists and insurgents but also for modern, professional armies, like U.S. and Japanese forces.

HONGO Lecture: "Critiques of Torture, Weak and Strong"
URL: http://utokyo.ucberkeley.jp/en/news_and_events/lecture_hassner4

Date: November 24 (Fri) 17:30-19:00 (17:00 Open)
Venue: Room 549, Akamon General Research Building, Hongo Campus, University of Tokyo
http://www.u-tokyo.ac.jp/campusmap/cam01_08_02_j.html

What do we know about the use of torture in counter-terrorism interrogations? How and when does it work, if at all? I draw on evidence from 20th and early 21st century cases to explore weak and strong critiques of US torture practices. I argue that even in limited situations in which interrogational torture is effective, it is slow, can easily spiral out of control, and can have negative long-term effects.

For more information, please contact: todaiberkeley@iss.u-tokyo.ac.jp

Best regards,

Nobuhiro Hiwatari, Gregory Noble, and Kenneth McElwain
Institute of Social Science
University of Tokyo