International Studies

This course examines some fundamental events in Latin American history during the 19th and 20th centuries. It analyzes cases that include the main milestones in the relations between Latin America and the United States between the years 1823 and 1989, the existence of nationalist and populist trends such as the Peronist movement in Argentina, and the emergence and development of guerrilla movements such as Sendero Luminoso in Peru. 

This course introduces game theory and its application to political science. Students study game theory through the concepts of Nash Equilibrium, Subgame Perfect Equilibrium, and Perfect Bayesian Equilibrium, as well as strategic-form, extensive-form, and repeated games. Sessions involve presenting (and practicing) game-theoretic techniques before applying them to specific political science questions.

Although there is no prerequisite knowledge for this class, it may be helpful to have taken at least a course in statistics or probability theory.

The primary objective of this course is to introduce students to the main theories and contemporary debates regarding globalization processes. The course is interdisciplinary and consists of sessions hosted by different members of the institute, providing perspectives on the intersection of global, regional, and transregional processes. These processes are set in a historical perspective, and students become familiarized with perspectives from different areas of the world.

This course provides an overview of multilateralism and international organizations after World War II, examining collaboration between countries in areas such as peace and security, human rights, and monetary policy and economics. Students are introduced to the concept of world order and global governance through multilateralism and will examine the history, structures, and functions of international organizations including the role of major powers and other countries in the international arena.

This course explores industrial security and current geopolitical aspects minimizing the influence of fake news and corruption and providing efficient tools through intelligence analysis. It offers an introduction to the activities and attitudes of intelligence analysts in the field of business, non-governmental institutions and administration.

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 introduces students to key social, economic, and political current issues—such as climate change, economic liberalization, transnational migrations, terrorism, pandemics—and how different stakeholders—municipalities, nation-states, civil societies, as well as regional and international organizations—measure up to these issues and challenges. The course will also emphasize the connection and the articulation of these current affairs and public policies between the global and local levels. The course will thus make room for guest-speakers from local NGOs, news agencies or institutions to present their own take on global matters. While some of the topics addressed in this class have been covered at length by the literature, some will reflect immediate concerns as they arise from current affairs. 

This course introduces contemporary Sino-Japanese relations, enhancing one's understanding of the dynamics between the two countries over the decades. The course first presents the broad view of bilateral relations and its structure within the historical perspective, and then examines more thoroughly the key issues in China-Japan relations. The course wraps up with a view at China-Japan relations in the regional perspective. 

Classes are organized as interactive lectures. One or two sessions in the course are dedicated to a debate simulation on a territorial dispute between China and Japan.

This course provides the basis for understanding the current trends in international trade, including the growth of unilateralism and protectionist pressures and the crisis of the world trading system.