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SoSe 19: Conflict, Crime and Memory in East Asian Relations: History and Contemporary Issues

Urs Matthias Zachmann

Kommentar

East Asia is one of the most divisive regions of the world today. Although not at war, Japan, China and Korea nonetheless are constantly wary of each other, unable to overcome deep-seated feelings of mistrust. The source of this is to be found in the history of their relations that, throughout the 19th and 20th century, was fraught with violence and strife. This seminar traces the tortuous history of East Asian relations since the 19th century up until the end of the Cold War. It particularly focuses on the excessive violence that formed a large part of these relations and often was amplified by internal violence following. The seminar investigates different ways in which various actors tried to cope and overcome their traumata, be it through law and diplomacy on the national level, or through literature and art on the individual level. Ultimately, the seminar addresses the more fundamental question how nations (and people) despite horrendous experiences at the hand of each other can still overcome their traumata and start cooperating again. Schließen