Waseda University

This course is designed to understand post-WWII Japanese foreign policy shaped by history and domestic and international politics. International systemic changes affect Japan's domestic socio-economic and political contexts that, in turn, influence its foreign policy options within the scope of the constitutional framework (“pacifism”). The defeat of Japan in WWII and the US occupation had generated the Japan-US alliance as the cornerstone of Japanese foreign policy (“bilateralism”); at the same time, Japan has become the ardent supporter of the international liberal order (“multilateralism”) led by the United States. The relative decline of the US economy and the rise of Japan as an economic power in the 1980s impacted both regional and international order; Japanese foreign policy then began to seek affirmative diplomacy in search of becoming a “normal” state. China's rise in the 2000s and the surge of nationalism and populism have eroded regional and international order.  Thus, this course examines Japan's major foreign policies from the end of WWII to the present.

The last two centuries of Japan are the age of war and peace. As the development of the modern world has been crucially shaped through international relations, the analysis of international history is vital to understand modern Japan. Ranging from the Opium War to WWII to the “War Against Terrorism,” lectures and discussions cover the various issues of major wars and their consequences. Primary documents (English version) will be assigned for discussion sessions.

The diaspora of Chinese migrants is evident in the “Chinatowns” in major cities throughout the worldwide.  Their success have led others to describe Chinese migrants as “cosmopolitan” or “global citizens.” However, it is also true that Chinese migrants are an ethnic group that has involved in international politics and the volatility of national regimes. This course looks at Chinese migrants through different case studies and analyzes their narratives from political, economic, legal, and cultural angles to understand their relationship with global issues. Comparative studies with other diasporas are recommended.

The increasing reliance upon technological innovation, from pervasive digital computing in everyday smart phones and smart infrastructures to new forms of intelligent materials and pharmaceutical augmentation, is changing the nature of human-technology relationships. This course introduces the relationships among human-technology interface (HTI), human-machine interface (HMI), and human-computer interface (HCI), which have been rapidly developed during the past decade. The course teaches current design examples and theories of HTI as well as how they reflect the future of HTI.

This course introduces students to: (I) the measurement and structure of the national economy; (II) basic macroeconomic concepts (e.g., productivity, output & employment, consumption, saving & investment, long-run economic growth, and business cycles), and (III) a basic framework for macroeconomic analysis.

This course aims to explore some static and dynamic aspects of the legal system in a globalized world and examines the function and application of international law in the settlement of disputes between actors (including states).  Basic knowledge both of law and of international relations (IR) is necessary for participants to follow this class effectively. Both 'Introduction to International Relations (IR)' and 'Introduction to Legal Studies'(or similar equivalents) are strongly recommended as prerequisite subjects of study for this course.

This advanced Japanese course is designed to improve speaking skills. A theme concerning Japanese culture and society is chosen for each course and students are split into groups to engage in activities, discussion, and group work concerning the selected topic. The goal of the class is for students to widen their perspectives and deepen their knowledge regarding various issues related to Japan and Japanese society. The program offers various theme courses and students may take multiple sections. 

This course tackles contemporary ethical issues regarding the development of technology and its impact on the environment by engaging with the latest research being done in this field. In order to achieve these goals, this class will be held in a “flipped classroom” style, wherein students will read through lecture materials in advance to allocate more time for classroom discussions on these pressing issues.

This course covers a roughly 250-year period of Japanese history: the Edo period (1603–1868). It was a time of immense change and vast creativity in visual culture, when the existing forms of representation started to break down, and new forms emerged. The course considers various topics beyond what is commonly considered as art, such as city planning, gardens, religious icons, play space, arts, and artists.

This course is designed for upper beginners to teach basic Japanese grammar and vocabulary. Japanese language is practiced by listening, reading, speaking and writing with new grammar patterns and vocabulary learned in class. The goal of the course is to further develop Japanese literacy and communication skills needed in daily life by expanding basic knowledge of vocabulary and grammar. Texts: MINNANO NIHONGO II; MINNANO NIHONGO II:TRANSLATION AND GRAMMAR NOTES; MINNANO NIHONGO II: WORKBOOK. Assessment: exams (55%), class attendance (25%), writing performance (10%), and oral test (10%).