International Christian University

This course introduces the history of international relations, with an emphasis on the ways in which the Great Powers came to conceive, shape, and dominate the current ‘international system’. Although it follows a broad chronological trajectory, the course goes beyond traditional narratives and explanations of diplomatic relations by considering what French historians have come to refer to as ‘les forces profondes’ (or ‘deeper factors’) affecting international relations (IR), including economic, demographic, geopolitical and cultural factors that shaped the identity and foreign policies of nation-states. An important part of this process of identity formation--and of this course--revolves around the question of how national identities shaped (and were in turn shaped by) the relations of European states both with each other and with non-Europeans, especially Africa, East Asia, and the Pacific.  A central theme of this course is the idea that the Great Powers not only shape the ‘international system’ but are also shaped by it-- by their experiences of colonization. The course also addresses the critical assessment of historiographic sources (and of the question 'what is history'?); the use of theoretical IR tools to make sense of key international events, and the appraisal of the multiple ways in which variables such as actors, structures and processes contributed to shape the current ‘international system.’

This course examines the social aspects of new and old communication technologies. Communication technologies have been an essential part of our everyday lives. We constantly connect to older communication technologies, such as radio, television, and newspapers, and newer communication technologies, including the internet and mobile phones, to fulfill our daily goals. This course critically examines: 1) How communication technologies are introduced to society and how their use is shaped by various social factors, and 2) How communication technologies influence everyday lives of individuals, organizations, and society.

This course targets the CEFR A2.1 level of spoken and written Japanese. 

By the end of this course, students will be able to: 
1) Understand the main point of texts when expressed in basic language. 

2) Speak and write a series of phrases on familiar topics.
3) Ask and answer questions and exchange ideas and information on familiar topics. 

Prerequisite: “J1: JAPANESE” or equivalent. 

This course studies the social function of language from a micro-linguistics point of view. Language is analyzed in relation to social structure. For example, we may casually say in our daily conversations that people in China speak Chinese, or that “we” speak Japanese. In this course, we re-examine concepts such as language, society, speech community, and code, and analyze the linguistic choices speakers make in order to express their identity in the context of society.