Department of Political Science Close-UP

カリキュラム

In addition to subjects related to law, this department have a wide range of curriculum, including English subjects for cross-cultural exchange and international perspectives, and specialized education subjects for analyzing and understanding the essence of various problems in modern society in response to the global era. Furthermore, by collaborating with the Faculty of Economics, students will be able to study a wider range of fields, so they aim to acquire the ability to think and practice solutions to various problems from all perspectives. In addition, students will deepen your interest by choosing either "Public Policy Course" or "Political Course" after enrollment and taking courses according to the "recommended courses" that suit your future.

Syllabus

Syllabus in the Department of Political Science

Class Introduction

Diplomatic history
Students will examine in detail specific incidents, problems, and policy-making processes in the diplomatic history in the Showa prewar period. Through an analysis of the historical development of modern Japanese diplomacy, students understand the mechanism of political diplomacy that maintains international order based on various factors such as politicians' perceptions, domestic politics, public opinion, and the international environment. In addition, students consider various diplomatic issues today by deepening their understanding of strategic thinking, relationship between prewar Japan and the international environment.

Public policy theory
Society has many issues that are difficult to solve individually, such as environment, employment, and education. Public policy is a direction and concrete means for solving such public problems, and various public policies are implemented by the national and local governments. In this class, students learn the basic concepts and theories of public policy, and deepen their understanding of the significance and formulation of public policy. Students also learn the norms of public policy, the setting of issues, the structuring of problems, and the means to solve various problems.

Introductory Macro Economics
In this class, students will study various economic fields through the world's best-selling macroeconomics. Understanding the basic knowledge of macroeconomics, such as gross domestic product (GDP), prices, economic growth, financial system, financial problems, employment situation, economic fluctuations, financial and financial policies, etc., which are closely related to our lives.

Politics and media
Information is transmitted through media such as newspapers, magazines, television, radio, and SNS. Understand the role of such media and the mechanism of reporting, and consider the relationship between media and politics from various perspectives. Through the lessons, students will deepen understanding of how media will affect politics and society, and trends in political media in other countries. In addition, this class is taught by a teachers who has worked in the field as an experienced newspaper journalist, giving a lesson with a sense of reality based on actual experience.

Political history
Europe is the birthplace of the mechanisms that become commonplace in the world today, such as parliamentary democracy, welfare state, and the political trends of liberalism, socialism, or totalitarianism. It is also stage of the political experiment of European integration. Knowing from what background they originated and how they changed is of great significance in learning politics. This class deals with the political history of Europe, based on England, France and Germany, from the late 18th century to the late 20th century. While acquiring basic knowledge about the political history of modern Europe, we aim to understand the current state of politics and society in the world.

成績評価と単位認定

Grading Criteria

About our GPA System

The intent behind our implementation of a GPA (Grade Point Average) system is to (1) create a unified standard for the campus, (2) have it function as an impartial standard, and (3) have it function as an internationally accepted standard. Our GPA system involves the assessment learning achievements using an objective numerical value called GPA. Additionally, this system generally conforms with the grade assessment systems adopted by universities in the West, and can be used overseas as an index used to certify a student’s academic ability when studying abroad, when going on to graduate school overseas, when finding employment at a non-Japanese companies operating in Japan, and so on.

Display of Grades and Assessment Criteria

GPA Calculation Method

Credit Recognition

1. Register for classes. Use CampusSquare to register for classes online and have your classes properly confirmed. You will need to do this for both the first and second semesters.
2. Students attend classes. There are 15 class in both the first and second semesters.
   Normally, 2-credit courses consist of attendance at each class (90 minutes) and preparation and review (about 2 hours each). In order to earn the credits, students must attend all classes (from the first to the 15th) as a matter of course, and also deepen their understanding through preparation and review.
3. Depending on subjects, students are required to take exam or submit reports (accreditation methods vary from lecturers).
4. Grades of S, A, B or C mean that students have passed the course and earned the credit. Grade of D means that students has failed the course and not earned any credit. If students receive a grade of D for a compulsory subject, they require to take it again the following year or later.
   Courses which students have already earned credit cannot be retaken.
5. About Academic Grades
   • Academic grades are assessed based on final examinations at the end of the semester (written exams, oral exams, practical exams, or reports). However, depending on courses, mini tests, reports, attendance, and academic progress during class may be evaluated as regular points, or assessments may be carried out based on the regular points only.
   • Academic grades are issued on the transcript with only the evaluation. 
   • Courses which students have passed once cannot be erased or retaken.
   • Grades will be published on Campus Square every semester.
   • If you have questions about your grades, such as not receiving a grade despite taking an exam (submitting a report) after the results have been announced, please come to school at the beginning of the next semester (in principle, by the first week of classes) and ask your teacher directly. If your teacher has left the school and you are unable to make inquiries, please notify the Academic Affairs Office.

Minimum number of credits required for graduation (For students enrolled in 2022)

• *1 If the number of credits earned in the comprehensive basic courses exceeds 12, the excess credits up to 8 will be approved as a credit in common elective courses.
• *2Some credits for each course of teaching profession and curator may be included in credits of specialized education subjects or general basic subjcts.
• *3 Excessive credits for elective compulsory subjects are included in the credits for elective course.