Meiji Gakuin University

The course is designed for students to improve their reading and writing skills focusing on variety of patterns of simple and compound sentences applying basic writing skills. The goal is to improve clarity and cohesion in sentence writing.

This advanced level course instructs logical dialogue and conversation about abstract topics through reading, listening, writing, and viewing materials that deal with social themes. The course aims to improve Japanese expression, information analysis, and logical thinking skills through presentations, discussions, and writing. 

Sumi-e is the Japanese traditional art of ink painting.  The art of Sumi-e captures the essence of the subject and expresses emotions on a sheet of paper. Although the subject is the same, emotions are not; thus, everyone can paint the same subject but none of the paintings would look the same.  Students are expected to paint subjects according to a theme given in each class. As a final project, students will choose their subject and showcase their art in a weeklong class exhibition at the end of the semester. The course aims to instruct various ways of expressing different points of view through Sumi-e. 

This course must be taken simultaneously with CONTEMPORARY JAPANESE ECONOMY B. This course names and addresses the causes of economic problems that emerged in Japan within the last few decades. 

This course deals with ethnic and cultural minority groups in contemporary Japan. Japan is often described as a homogeneous society; indeed, it has a very dominant ethnic and cultural mainstream. This course looks at how minority groups have positioned themselves vis-a-vis the mainstream in finding a place for themselves in Japanese society while exploring their many fascinating similarities and differences in experiences.  

This course examines urban family life and relationships within the family as well aspects of the Japanese education system, including kindergarten, various schools, and universities. The course also addresses the ‘Self,’, cultural identity and the Japanese system in domains such as family, gender, community, education, workplace, sports, and media.

This course focuses on issues, approaches, and analyses of existing research related to globalization in International Political Economy.

The course is designed for students to learn the concept of service learning and experience service activities as a direct experience. It requires students to engage in volunteer experience In addition to the direct “service” experience, students engage in (i) Self-directed Learning, (ii) Peer-to-peer Learning, and (iii) Experiential Learning. All students are required to join dialogue and group-work in order to reflect on their own service actions and strategy.

"Global Writing" are influential texts that are read by people around the world, bridging different cultures and languages. The older term "World Literature" includes some of the writers that the course will cover, but "Global Writing" is a broader concept. This course examines the key role of writers, translators, editors, and readers, looking at many key issues involving language and cultural identity. It also critically examines the selection process for the Nobel Prize in Literature.

The course focuses on Japan`s Environment and Energy Policies, especially its policies toward renewable energy. From a comparative perspective alongside other East Asian nations and Northern Europe (Norden), it analyzes Japan's role in global climate negotiations and its policies toward renewable energy in the context of its traditional reliance on fossil fuels and nuclear power.

By the end of the course, students should be well-versed in global environmental issues as well as Japan's policies for combating climate change and promoting a shift toward renewable energy. An understanding of the current state of Japan's transition toward using renewable energy for energy generation; the further electrification of transportation, and the shift toward a hydrogen economy, is also an expected outcome.