Japan

This introductory module provides an overview of law or legal studies. Participants are expected to carefully read, research, and discuss the underlying ideas and principles of law, and the frameworks and methods (often presupposed) in legal studies.

By the end of this course, students are expected to
(1) Understand and explain basic terms and concepts of legal studies;
(2) Acquire basic knowledge of major legal systems;
(3) Gain fundamental skills to analyze and explain legal aspects of social issues.

The aim of the course is to learn and discuss 1) Basic concepts of communication/intercultural communication, and 2) Basic/universal emotions and different emotions between cultures. More specifically, the course examines (a) how openly certain emotions tend to be expressed; (b) how often certain emotions tend to be controlled, and (c) how differently certain emotions tend to be perceived in particular cultures. The course also addresses how different emotions between cultures could be related to different perceptions of “self” and cognitive styles such as thought patterns.

Students will develop critical reading skills necessary to study at the undergraduate level through reading news articles, official documents, and commentaries on the web.

Eligibility: B2 level in the CEFR/JF Standard for Japanese-Language Education (N1 in the JLPT).

The objectives of this course are as follows:
1. Students will be able to understand the contents of texts on various topics and analyze the characteristics of their writing style.
2.Students will be able to paraphrase the main points of texts on various topics using concise expressions and figures.
3.Students will be able to select source materials by examining the reliability of the information.

This course aims to familiarize students with digital video production and editing in a broad context of education. It is designed to help students learn the technology, art, pedagogy, and practices involved in effective visual storytelling. With the advancement of digital technologies, making a video program has become much easier than before. Even so, to produce a highly effective and professional video, we need to learn certain production strategies, skills, and theories. This course offers exciting opportunities to learn basic theories and technical skills through the production of high-quality short video programs, using simple devices such as a smartphone. It helps students produce video content that has high educational value in a rapidly changing media environment.

This pilot course introduces cutting-edge approaches to analyze and devise responses in relation to conflict and violence, with a particular focus on digital instruments. Students will learn emerging concepts and techniques in various fields, from peacemaking to peacekeeping; peacebuilding; disarmament; human rights, and disaster relief, as well as associated risks and benefits. The course includes active learning elements, whereby students will interact with guest lecturers from the UN, research institutes, and aid groups, while practicing skills for open-source investigation.

Today, as conditions of contemporary globalization have stimulated demand for “international education,” higher education internationalization has become the focus of governments and higher education institutions around the world. However, the meaning of higher education internationalization itself is contested, and there are various rationales for pursuing these activities, including those that are economic, political, socio-cultural, and academic. Moreover, different stakeholders (e.g. students, faculty, institutions, governments, etc.) each have their own distinct rationales for engaging in these activities. This course focuses on: 1) general contexts and trends relating to higher education internationalization around the world, and 2) the specific national contexts and trends of higher education internationalization that can be observed in the cases of various countries. We will focus on several key questions: What is the function of higher education in society, and how has this evolved over time? How have the conditions of contemporary globalization shaped higher education internationalization in universal and specific ways? What are the main universal trends that characterize higher education internationalization today, and how do these apply differently in particular countries? What are the future trends and possibilities for higher education internationalization?

This course focuses on current Japanese pop culture. You will learn Japanese culture, language and the Japanese way of thinking in the context of movies, manga and music. You will also see Japan from the past, present and future in a way that is both fun and educational.

The aim of this course is twofold. First, students will examine Japanese pop culture in an effort to gain a deeper understanding of “Modern Japan.” Second, Students will learn to better express themselves. International students will improve their Japanese skills, while Japanese students will polish their linguistic skills, allowing them to communicate in Japanese and English effectively.

<Level V>
Target Students: Those who have partially completed intermediate level studies.
Course Goals: To develop understanding and command of the 200 important intermediate sentence patterns for further improvement of the four skills of reading, listening, speaking, and writing. To master the 6,000 basic words and 1,000 to 1,200 basic Chinese characters.

<Oral Expression A>
Goal: To understand coherent speech and be able to express one’s own opinions in a clear and understandable manner.
Contents: Listening exercises of various materials. Learning expressions used for explaining and giving opinions and making a speech.

This advanced Japanese course choses a different theme concerning Japanese culture and society to discuss each week. Students are split into groups to engage in activities, discussion, and group work concerning the selected topic. The goal of the class is for students to widen their perspectives and deepen their knowledge regarding various issues related to Japan and Japanese society. The program offers various theme courses and students may take multiple sections. 

The UN is a paradox of international relations. It is made up of independent states, but it is supposed to limit their excesses. It is based on the principle of equality, but it is controlled by the most powerful capitals. It is engaged in military operations, but it does not have an army. It was born from the ashes of the Holocaust, but it treats dictators with deference. It preaches human rights, but it cannot meddle in the affairs of its members. It preaches democracy, but it does not practice it.

This course is meant to serve as a critical introduction to the world's only universal Organization. After outlining the basic structures and functions of the UN, it focuses on the debates and controversies that have accompanied since its birth. The course considers - with frankness, without fear and in an intentionally 'undiplomatic way' - the Organization's successes as well as its failures. As current events show - from COVID to Ukraine - the United Nations is profoundly inadequate. The question is: Why? And who benefits from a weak UN?