Waseda University

This basic 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 overall 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 is aimed at those who know the meaning, writing, and reading of basic kanji idioms.  It focuses on what has been learned so far to increase one’s knowledge of kanji – for example, students will learn how to convert simple words they already know into Kanji and how to use Kanji vocabulary that has similar meanings.  Furthermore, the course provides activities to write essays using kanji and to read and understand the content. 

Note: “Intermediate” Japanese language levels at the host university are comparable to UC upper-division courses.

This course studies the history of the 20th century global movement after World War II, which influenced global politics. Students are expected to examine a historical case of a local movement crossing over to global politics. 

This course introduces concepts of international corporate law. It seeks to understand the relation between most major constituents (director, shareholder, officers) in international corporations as well as the relevance of business organizations in corporate transactions such as mergers & acquisitions. The course also provides a basic understanding of fundamental capital market rules. 

This course provides third and final year students with the theoretical and practical knowledge of diachronic studies of language, or historical linguistics, enabling them to understand how some historical changes in language can be described and explained. This course can also aid in conducting research for graduation theses and, for some, prospective postgraduate studies. 

This course covers sources of and obstacles to economic growth and development in Asian economies, focusing on the role of innovation, internationalization of firms, industrial clusters, institutions (including political institutions), and social capital. Each topic entails a review of basic theory and empirical evidence from growth theory, international economics, development economics, economic geography, economics of institutions, or network science; then an examination of Asian experiences. Classes consist of class discussions and presentations.  

Designed for upper beginners to improve oral communication skills, the course enables students to converse about familiar topics using upper basic Japanese grammar and vocabulary. 

The course covers: introducing oneself and family; sharing hobbies and favorite things; introducing favorite shops and restaurants; discussing travel preparations; explaining one’s current university life; discussing childhood experiences; expressing worries; giving advice based one experiences, and conveying one’s hopes and intentions.  

This course reviews the history of Western international society and its global expansion, placing the development of the League of Nations and the United Nations (UN) in this historical context. The course particularly focuses on the role of Japan in any international organization.  

The course introduces students to the theory and history of international organizations, seeking to understand the following four subjects: (1) International Society, Rationalism or the English School as the third paradigm of International Relations in contrast to Realism and Liberalism; (2) the historic developments of Western international society and international organization; (3) the political dynamism behind the creation of the League of Nations and the United Nations (UN), and (4) the historic significance of a global liberal order.  

This advanced Japanese course is designed to further develop oral communication skills placing a special focus on honorific expressions. 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 to widen perspectives and deepen knowledge regarding various issues related to Japan and Japanese society. The program offers various theme courses and students may take multiple sections.  

This advanced course offers a comprehensive examination of women's engagement in politics worldwide, with a primary focus on the French context. Through a nuanced and comparative lens, it explores the complex dynamics surrounding women's participation in political spheres. Students critically analyze the multifaceted challenges that women encounter in their pursuit of political power and decision-making roles but also in influencing political and intellectual debates. Drawing on extensive research and scholarly works, the course investigates the historical, social, and political factors that have shaped women's involvement in politics from a global perspective.