Waseda University

This course introduces political philosophy. It covers the main concepts, issues, and questions raised in political philosophy, to acquire a general and analytic understanding of the central topics in political philosophy.

This course provides conceptual frameworks that students may find useful in analyzing various types of peace initiatives including humanitarian assistance. Students examine a wide range of debates about peacebuilding and humanitarian intervention, and analyze a variety of intermediary efforts by the UN, NGOs and other relevant institutions. This course is offered in collaboration with Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) Japan--a humanitarian organization working in conflict zones. Humanitarian experts from the MSF will share their practical and hands-on experience in the field of peacebuilding and humanitarian aid, while the professor will offer theoretical discussions relevant to the theme and lead group work and simulation exercises, which aim to facilitate students' understanding of the topics introduced by the MSF experts.

This course consists of three parts. First, it studies the economics of financial markets, with a particular emphasis on interest rates. The second part concerns financial institutions, necessary players for the proper functioning of financial markets. Important topics in this part are (a) asymmetric information problems in financial markets; (b) risk management in banking, and (c) financial crises. The third and last part covers central banks and monetary policy. Understanding monetary policy is important, given its substantial influence on financial markets and overall economic activities.

Through movies and other visual materials, this course examines important issues in modern society from a cross-disciplinary perspective. Each lecture features guest speakers who work in the field of making films, videos, and broadcasting. The course reviews specific production methods and a future vision of movies in class discussions. 

This advanced Japanese course is designed to teach more advanced grammar patterns. 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 examines the approaches and policies adopted by Middle Eastern countries in the pursuit of economic and social development, and the theories developed by scholars to explain the region’s political economies and its problems with development. The course includes details on the historical trajectories of Middle Eastern economies and political systems, from the post-independence state-led period, through the impacts of the 1970s oil boom, attempts at economic liberalization, the impacts of globalization and technological change, and the aftermath of the post-2011 Arab uprisings. Using case studies from the Arab world as well as Israel and Iran, the course introduces key theories of political economy as they have been applied to the Middle East including: modernization theory, dependency theory, rentier state theory, liberalism and neoliberalism, and Islamic economic ideas. Economic development in the region has been tortuous and uneven, hobbled as much by non-economic factors as by economic ones. 

This course provides a detailed examination of the various conflicts that have beset Iraq since 1980, covering the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq War; the 1990-91 Gulf War; the 2003 war; the post-2003 civil war, and the conflict with the so-called Islamic State (ISIS). The aim is to examine these conflicts holistically, considering not only their military and political dimensions – absolutely central as these are to an understanding of Iraq's modern history and politics – but also to look at the economic sources and impacts of the conflict, the social and religious dynamics, and the regional setting and implications of them. The course broadly follows a chronological line in looking at these conflicts, since to a large extent these conflicts stem from previous ones, but the discussion and analysis is also interspersed with theoretical discussions about conflict and with the examination of films, documentaries, and other audiovisual narratives about modern Iraq.

This course presents Japanese traditional culture and health, through the practice of Bon Dance, or "Bon Odori." Bon Dance is a kind of dance performed at summer festivals in many parts of Japan. This dance features simple movements which represent a traditional sense of beauty; however, it is also a good cardio exercise. Each dance is introduced to the class through an explanation of the cultural and social significance of the dance to foster an understanding of the meanings behind some of the traditional movements. 

This wrestling course is for beginners to learn basic movements as a recreational activity. It aims to build a body with high flexibility and endurance by incorporating stretching and aerobic exercises to absorb more oxygen. The class also teaches how to stimulate muscles and to build strength through resistance training using one's own or partner's body weight.

This advanced Japanese course is designed to improve writing skills. A different 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.