Waseda University

This course explores ideas and practices of creating more convivial places through participatory, democratic practices that have a positive impact on streets, neighborhoods, communities, and cities. It examines the historical, cultural, economic, political, environmental, and other influences on places that determine what a place has become and how. Furthermore, it explores the role of design and the process of implementing a design idea into a realized project. At the end of course, students undertake original research and analysis on a topic of public interest and demonstrate how to use history, inputs and influences of places to understand what makes places successful or not.

This is an introductory course on the history of economics. The course reviews the history of economics to understand what economics is, clarifying economic ideas which have been a part of today's economics; those that no longer receive much attention, and those which have potential to be resurrected. Please note that the history of economics is different from economic history. Basic knowledge of world history from the modern times is required as this course reviews the way in which economists have tried to understand economic problems. 

This course introduces the R system as a programming language. Covering standard regression methods and then tackling more advanced methods, the course guides students through the practical, powerful tools that the R system provides. The emphasis is on hands-on analysis, graphical display, and interpretation of data. By the end of the course, students are expected to have gained a mastery of using the software R to perform data analysis.  

Course enrollees are assumed to have basic knowledge of statistics and mathematics and are encouraged to install the R system onto their home computer. 

This course reads canonical works of great Japanese literature from the early twentieth century, with a focus on their perceptions of modernity. Thematically, the course is divided into two parts. The first half explores works written during the Meiji period to understand how they conceptualized 'modernity,' 'the West,' and their own identities. The writers discussed in this section include Higuchi Ichiyo, Natsume Soseki, Mori Ogai, and Nagai Kafu. The second half of the course addresses works by modernist and Marxist writers, examining how their concepts of 'modernity' and their relationships with 'the West' evolved as Japan expanded its influence into Asia. This part includes an analysis of the literary representation of modernity in the works of Tanizaki Junichiro, Yokomitsu Riichi, Hayashi Fumiko, Kobayashi Takiji, Edogawa Rampo, and Kawabata Yasunari.

All readings course are in English translation therefore the ability to read the Japanese original work is not required. Knowledge of modern Japanese history and culture is recommended.