International Christian University

This course provides an introduction to the field of cognitive psychology. Cognitive psychology is defined as the study of all processes by which sensory input is transformed, reduced, elaborated, stored, recovered, and used (Neisser, 1967). The course aims to scientifically explore and gain insight into human cognitive mechanisms and processes. The information processing of the mind as a cognitive system is modeled and explained based on experimental data. 

The purpose of this course is to enable students to analyze and create all kinds of stories, including modern literature, through the study of literary theory. The course focuses on poems, novels and dramas of leading authors and poets of the modern period, concentrating on the works of Meiji and Taisho period writers. 

After the end of the Cold War many of us hoped that the time of war and conflict was over and we could enjoy and more peaceful and perhaps prosperous times. We could not have been more wrong. The invasion of Kuwait by Iraq, the subsequent Gulf War, the civil conflict in Former Yugoslavia, the war in Bosnia, the NATO strikes in Kosovo, the ongoing crisis in the Middle East and particularly in Israel, the terrorist attack on 9.11, and the subsequent wars in Afghanistan and now in Iraq, are just a few examples of military activities in the last decade. In addition, we witnessed a chain of humanitarian crises' in the form of lack of access to food, water, and shelter, and often human-induced (un)natural disasters like floods and droughts in many parts of the developing world.

The courses Peace Studies I and II will provide students with an insight into the central questions, concepts, theories, and debates within contemporary peace studies. Students will read basic texts from peace researchers, politicians, peace movement representatives, social and natural scientists in order to understand the various approaches to peace; how and why conflicts occur, and finally how to deal or prevent wars. Peace studies have developed a basic core of ideas and arguments, but researchers concerned with peace and conflict issues come from a variety of fields and scientific disciplines. At first international relations and international policy, political science and historical studies might come to mind; however, scientists in sociology, anthropology, biology, psychology, economics, or environmental studies have also developed concept and theories attempting to analyze and explain potential and actual conflict situations. They have also developed ways to prevent or moderate conflicts and considered approaches to prevent them from developing into violent conflicts or open wars. Part one and two of this course attempt to cover a broad range of these approaches.

The aim of this course is to help students acquire an understanding of the fundamental history of Japanese Language from the eighth century to modern times. The course predominately focuses on historical materials of Japanese language.

This foundation course introduces the basic knowledge of modern linguistics and language teaching. Language teachers must have profound knowledge about the sounds, grammar, vocabulary and semantics of the target language as well as deep understanding about its use in different contexts. 

This course introduces theoretical and technical issues on how languages work, and how one can utilize it for oneself. It provides an overview of core concepts in linguistics relevant to language education, exploring issues related to one’s own language learning and bilingualism.

This course is designed for students who are not yet familiar with modern Japanese literature and literary analysis. The course provides an opportunity to read a selection of texts (novels, poems, and essays) on the class theme, with the hope of offering students a glimpse of the breadth and richness of Japanese literature. Additionally, the course considers these works within the historical/social context of modern Japanese society, especially in relation to processes of modernization and Westernization.
 

By the end of this course, students will be able:

1) To become familiarized with modern Japanese literature through reading a selection of literary texts.
2) To learn about Japanese history, culture, society and gender, from the Meiji era until the present, focusing on how historical events have shaped the works we read in class.
3) To analyze the relationship between history, gender, and literature.
4) To improve students' ability to articulate and develop their own ideas about literature.
5) To learn how to write an academic paper on literature. Students will learn how to structure their paper, how to support their argument, how to use academic language, and how to cite and reference other research.

This course introduces sociology and social science through the study of prominent social problems in the United States. It examines a diverse sample of social problems and analyzes issues of power, inequality, privilege and oppression. Topics include social stratification/inequality, crime and deviance, culture, health, environment, immigration, education, racial/ethnic conflict, gender inequality, and technology work. The course explores America's importance and uniqueness by examining both its problems and solutions to important societal trends.  

This course introduces students to Film Studies from a historical and a thematic perspective covering the 19th to the 21st century. It also intends to explore the relationship between Film and other media such as painting, photography, and/or social media). The course also introduces the various ways one can analyze a feature movie and/or a documentary.

This course is designed to introduce students to the systematic study of international political economy (IPE). It attempts to address major IPE theoretical approaches and issues within the field such as trade, finance, and capital movement. 

This is a foundation course in the Program in Gender and Sexuality Studies. In this course, the general frameworks, basic concepts, and historical backgrounds of gender studies are examined. The course describes and discusses gender research and analyses in various disciplines in order for students to obtain the basic analytical power in dealing with gender analysis in interdisciplinary fields. The course enhances students' understanding of how GSS develops in a respective field, what the current issues are, and what the future development might be, and helps them grasp the importance of the perspectives of gender, which is interdisciplinary. The course gives students an important tool to think deeply about the way the new "knowledge" opened up by the GSS should be and encourages them to transform the "knowledge" into actions, or activism in a broad sense.