Japan

This course instructs on Japanese expressions (vocabulary, grammar, conversation) that are useful in university life. It equips students to express what they to say in basic Japanese; to learn about Japanese language culture and values, and to expand their world through learning Japanese language.  

This class offers blended learning which combines two learning methods: a self-directed learning (SDL) session in which students are required to learn individually using online materials (equivalent to one 100 min period/ week), and a real time session (Zoom) in a classroom with other students (one 100-min period/ week).  

This course consists of two parts. One class segment will be devoted to international/global environmental politics, with the core concern of achieving collective action that will lead to the betterment of the environment. After learning about a fundamental conceptual framework to approach environmental politics, the course looks at various global issues, such as an ever-widening gap between rich and poor nations; world population growth; food issues, and energy. The course then focuses on the politics of various international/global environmental problems. The course will present class discussions on real international/global environmental probleams to deepen one’s understanding of the nature of the problems.  

The second segment of the course is distance learning or e-learning. The theme for this year is, “Climate Science and Solutions”(but this is subject to change). The program will be coordinated by the Asia Pacific Initiative (API) of Hawaii University and Osaka University, and involves other universities: Ryukyu University, Tsukuba University, and National University of Samoa. 

This is an introductory course on modern Artificial Intelligence designed for Keio University. The course is composed of two parts taught in consecutive semesters: material introduced in part A forms a foundational basis for part B (this course), which develops these ideas further and introduces a selection of more recent results based on guided reading of relevant publications. The two courses taken in sequence form a coherent introduction to neural Artificial Intelligence. The first course focuses more on theory and fundamental concepts, with implementation of basic techniques in Python. The second course (this one) aims to cover more practical engineering topics using modern practices, as well as introducing some of the most influential recent advancements based on a selection of research papers. Part B of the course also introduces some topics in more depth, based on the interests of the instructor. One of those topics is Natural Language Processing (NLP) in the era of Deep Learning, as well as advanced methods in representation learning.

This course introduces students to the field of Artificial Intelligence, focusing on Deep Neural Information Processing Systems. Since this is a rapidly developing field, it focuses on the most important trends and core ideas. The course follows historical trends in AI with a focus on neural networks, seeing how the current ideas emerged out of decades of research in the field; it then discusses current neural architectures and algorithms and introduces modern perspectives. Completion of this course leads to an appreciation and understanding of neural AI systems and anticipation of future developments in research and applications of AI, and Deep Learning in particular. In addition to theory, there will be emphasis on programming skills in Python. The course will implement deep neural AI systems and train students on standard data sets.

It is recommended that students complete both courses (A and B) in sequence. However, it is possible to take this course as a standalone, after consulting the instructor during the first lecture. In such cases, students should review the material from part A in their own time, as this course builds on previously introduced concepts.

This course introduces intercultural communication. It reviews core theories and research in intercultural communication and examines various issues that arise when encountering differences with others, fostering an understanding of the opportunities and challenges involved in intercultural communication. 

This course aims to develop students' understanding of short fiction writing. More specifically, the course focuses on the core concepts of fiction writing such as theme and plot. In addition, students produce a piece of fiction using original characters and viewpoints. The course goal is to develop students' ability to express their ideas through creative use of language.  

This course is open to ELA students who have completed their freshman ELA requirements and non-native English-speaking JLP track students who wish to further develop their English language skills. 

Development economics is a relatively new and unique field, emerging after post-World War II decolonization and is unique in certain aspects. This course covers the leading issues in economic development for social science students, promoting a balanced understanding based on theories and empirical research. Starting from a basic understanding of poverty, inequality and economic growth, this class focuses more on international issues that less developed economies face in present time, such as trade, foreign direct investment, balance of payment crisis, and structural adjustment, as well as other policy issues. 

This course focuses on the basic knowledge of biological phenomena and the principles underlying the life of all living organisms. It covers basic concepts of microbiology, plant biology and animal biology. 

A war of ideas is being waged within the private sector. Efforts to obfuscate the truth collide with attempts to reveal the reality beyond the headlines. Long-Term Capital Management, Enron, Lehman, names of former so-called “high-flyers” now reduced to grim labels that serve to remind the wary of how quickly the elite can fall from grace. This course focuses on the interplay of truth and fiction in the business world and the critical thinking skills needed to unravel this twisted web.

This class is built in two “halves." During the first half of the course, the class will be exposed to many forms of analytical style used in the social studies and the field of history in particular—to (a) better understand both the language and terminology used in discussions of the subject matter and (b) improve their critical thinking skills. By using these analytical tools, the second half of the course focuses on case studies to see the interplay of fact and fiction on both the floor of investment banks and in the real estate markets of the US. 

This course aims to develop specialized knowledge in the theories of firms in modern economy, such as: a) analysis of internal organization of firms alternative to markets; (b) employment relationships and how employers motivate employees (the manager-worker agency problem), and (c) managers and incentives (the owner-manager agency problem). By the end of this course, students are expected to exercise an application of knowledge of economic theory to economic organizations.

This course introduces basic aspects of modern Japanese history, emphasizing the international and domestic factors that shaped Japan's historical development. Lectures cover the period from the 1840s to the present.  

As the historical interpretation of World War II is still controversial in Asian countries as well as in Japan and the U.S., the course discusses various historical perspectives in class sessions.