Hitotsubashi University

This course develops familiarity with standard econometric techniques that are useful for a broad range of applied research in economics. The topics include review of probability and statistics, linear regression with one regressor, linear regression with multiple regressors, hypothesis tests and confidence intervals, nonlinear regression functions, instrumental variables regressions and regression with panel data. In addition to building a theoretical base, the course also provides an introduction to data analysis using a package software. Assessment: final exam, two midterm exams, two assignments.

This course aims to improve all aspects of Japanese skills (reading, writing, listening, and speaking). It is designed to raise the Japanese level to advanced level, placing particular emphasis on improving skills of grammar, conversation and reading. Expanding vocabulary and knowledge of kanji is also special focus in the course. Students that have completed the course should be ready to pass the JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test) N2 level test. Assessment: attendance and participation (10%), discussion, mini speeches, role play: (20%), quizzes (30%), homework (10%), and a final exam (30%).

Skills needed to write on various themes in appropriate styles in Japanese are taught. The course covers writing at an advanced level, writing in various styles for different times, places, and occasions; and expressing opinions and giving feedback in Japanese.

Reading comprehension skills for interpreting difficult texts are taught . The aim of this class is to polish and deepen students' understanding of Japanese language in order to create a firm foundation of Japanese comprehension for Hitostubashi students who learn social sciences.

This course deepens understanding of Japanese past and current international relations. Struggling toward becoming the ”first-ranked" nation in the West-centric world order, Japan fought many wars, colonized its neighboring countries, and was finally defeated in WWII. Through understanding Japanese past international relations, the course provides deeper insights into Japan's contemporary challenges including improving ties with China and South Korea, strengthening its alliance with the United States, building of a harmonious social space across borders as well as within borders.

This course focuses on vocabulary and idioms used in economics and the social sciences. The course relies on various texts and articles from Japanese economic newspapers and journals. Students also improve listening comprehension through watching excerpts from TV news programs that are relevant to the articles they read in class. Assessment: class attendance and participation, midterm exam, final exam.

This course concentrates on the theory and practice of effective Human Resources Management (HRM) from a global perspective. The course examines HRM in the Asia-Pacific region, an important player in the global economy accounting for almost 37% of the world GDP, home to about half of the world's population; China, the second largest economy; and India, the third most important destination for global foreign direct investment (FDI). The Asia-Pacific region as a whole remains diverse in terms of standards of living. Mature economies, such as Australia and Japan, other countries with large numbers of consumers and investors, such as Indonesia (with a population of over 200 million) or the Philippines and Vietnam, whose populations (around 90 million). The ASEAN countries as a whole represent more than 500 million inhabitants. As a result HRM in this region has become of significant importance to organization and management across the globe.

The emphasis of this course is to improve vocabulary and kanji knowledge, in preparation for advanced level classes. In order to increase the knowledge of kanji, students are tested on kanji list given during the previous class (70-100 kanji per list) and attempt to accurately define the meaning of kanji and kanji compounds. Through this methodology students both increase the number of kanji they know and gain a clear understanding on the meaning of a word and when and how to use it, by explaining the meaning of words in Japanese. Assessment: attendance, class participation, quizzes, a midterm, and a final exam.

This course has two main purposes. The first is to develop a comparative understanding of the education systems between Japan and other countries. The second is to examine contemporary Japanese education processes, along with related policies and practices, and to recognize their impact on Japanese society. To accomplish these purposes, each student is expected to share their knowledge and experience about the success and failure of their home-countries' education systems with other students and contribute to active discussions in class. Special attention is given to an examination of comparative and contrasting policies, practices, and issues in education as they unfold in Japan and students' home countries.

This course first gives a background in the medieval time of world history. The roots of many present conflicts lie in this era, the beginning of nation states, and the rise of modern economic methods such as international trade, banking, and bureaucracy. Having the Crusades as its center, this course geographically covers from western Europe to the eastern edge of the Islamic world, as well as Russia to Ethiopia from north to south. While many eras histories are ‘written by the winners', in the Crusades events were seen from multiple perspectives, allowing the student to judge a range of views from the time and in the historiography in order to answer questions of historical, economic and social value as a starting point.