Meiji Gakuin University

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.

This course examines politics revolving around historical issues. What is national history? Why can it be a source of political conflict? What is needed to reconcile historical disputes? These questions are explored through the examination of Asian and European cases. 

This course goes beyond the classroom to explore Tokyo, both past and present. Engaging in a variety of field experiences that deepen understanding of smaller communities and neighborhoods within the city, the course explores local customs and traditions, food culture, social institutions of daily life, environment and architecture, and more! The course aims to promote language and culture skills through field observations and task-based encounters with Japanese people. Important note: This course features several out-of-class field experiences during the semester.

The purpose of this course is to introduce students to a basic knowledge of the nature and workings of modern capitalist economies (welfare states), particularly in the West European and Anglo-Saxon countries.  The course focuses on government policy and its effects on countries’ economic performance, as measured by economic efficiency and growth; employment (or unemployment); income inequality, and poverty. The course seeks to answer the questions: What kind of policies do governments employ to promote economic performance? Are government policies effective in achieving positive economic outcomes? Is it possible to achieve economic growth and income equality simultaneously? If the answer is yes, what policy mix is instrumental? If the answer is no, why?