1. History of the Graduate School of Policy Science

- Graduate School of Policy Science (under graduate course) was established in April 1994.
- Master's Program in Graduate School of Policy Science was established in April 1997
- Doctoral Program in Graduate School of Policy Science was also established in April 1999


2. Educational Philosophy and Objective of Graduate School of Policy Science

(1) Problem-solving oriented:

The major objective of the Graduate School of Policy Science is to nurture students who can assess problems and work out the right solutions for them. It is very controversial what "problems" or "solutions" exist in this society, where there are many problems and solutions. Social science started originally and now is developing as a problem-solving-oriented science, which is based on objective analyses of social structures and laws of general social growth. Contemporary society faces drastic changes on a global scale. That fact was the impetus for developing policy science as a new field of social science, one that reverts to the original purpose of social science -- problem assessment and solutions in order to review social structure and the laws of general social growth.
In this Graduate School, students can learn basic approaches to identify and solve problems, and the methodologies and processes in one way or another. Policy science necessarily offers professional skills and techniques through study activities and theses writing in the graduate school. What is more important is to stimulate the desire to solve various issues and foster "policy-making mindedness" among students.

(2) Grasp problems and form purposes:

What should be done in order to solve problems is firstly to grasp the core of problems and clarify a direction for solving problems. The process is affected largely by individual values and historic viewpoints. While at present there are various values that should be respected, in this Graduate School students are expected to deepen an understanding of global environments, peace, democracy, human rights and coexistence. In addition, it is essential to develop practical understanding to grasp what the problem is so that students are required to experience not only the study of texts but also case study and fieldwork.

(3) Learning methodologies:

Solving problems includes the process of collecting information, analyzing it, thinking of practical solutions, making a decision, putting it into practice and evaluating the results. For this purpose, students need to learn various skills in a general sense. First, in order to grasp issues from a global perspective and propel policy based on an understanding of international society, students are required to improve their skills in using foreign languages. Second, in order to exchange information and communicate regardless of nationality, place, and time, skills of information technology are indispensable to them. Third, students are required to learn the skill of pursuing practical solutions through summarizing ideas, explaining their own opinion (presentation) and discussing with those who have different ideas (debate). Thus, an important objective of the Graduate School of Policy Science is to acquire these skills as well.

(4) Participatory Policy Maker

Although people have a image of policy makers as a competent officials having specific management skills and making policy for the government, we regard policy for citizens as more important. This idea indicates the importance of citizens and students actively committing themselves to and participating in policy-making processes. Similarly, students are expected to actively commit themselves to and participate in their studies.

3. Applicable Knowledge and Skills of Policy Science in Various Domains

(1) In Business Domain

The ability to deal with and analyze various information, plan policies, and adjust advantages and disadvantages is indispensable for business. Our Graduate School offers students effective training for negotiating and making close relationships with their clients in global business.

(2) In Administrative Domain

I t is also an important issue of our Graduate School to train professional administrators. Students will be expected to fully use highly professional knowledge on policies, then, to practice their skills in fieldwork research, and finally, to become administrative leaders in the new era

(3) In NPO-NGO Domain

NPOs and NGOs are significant policy subjects which offer policies that public administrators and enterprises cannot. Our Graduate School sends into the field many excellent graduates who have highly practical skills and the relevant sense of business into the field.


4.Courses

1.Academic Researcher Course

In this course, students will learn skills on a theoretical framework and analytical viewpoints which are necessary for policy research on economy, politics and society. Beyond just interdisciplinary research, they will reach their original research fields with these skills.
Not only theoretical studies but also practical studies are significant in the course. Students will be expected to participate in fieldwork of their Research Projects and some other collaborative research projects. The subjects to be offered pertain to Policy Process, Organizations, Public and Private Spheres, International Policy Designs, and Environmental Policy Designs.

2 .Professional Courses

(1) Entrepreneur Program

Students will learn
--how to detect problems in various fields such as business, medical welfare, environment, administration, educational institutions, and to solve them by starting new businesses
--necessary knowledge for not only venturing entrepreneurs but also social entrepreneurs and civic entrepreneurs.

(2) Urban Planning Program

Students will learn
--management for renovation and planning of cities
--how to develop community plans in the local-area basis

(3) Regional Policy Design Program

Students will learn
--how to analyze policies from multi-dimensional perspectives
--how to coordinate various actual policy-making activities

(4) Regional Information Integrated Program

Students will learn
--how to apply policy-related information necessary for contemporary societies in public and private spheres
--how to integrate communal networks of regional information by means of practical analyses

(5) Environmental Management Program

Students will learn
--understanding of ISO14000 series
--their practical use by doing internship in smaller enterprises

(6) Media Produce Program

Students will learn
--development of digital contents industries and entertainment businesses
--how to design products/services and models of newly started businesse

5. JDS Course (2004)

(1) JDS Program in English (September intake)

JDS Students will learn in English as follows:
-- Regional Policy and Planning for Environmental Policy
--JDS Program in English Course students can chose Field of Studies related with Environmental Policy

(2) JDS Program in Japanese (April intake)

JDS Students will learn in Japanese as follows:
-- Regional Policy and Planning
--JDS Program in Japanese Course students can select all of regular courses and Field of Studies


6.JDS Degree Program on Regional Policy and Planning

1. Prospects

Japan's Grant Aid for Human Resources Development Scholarship? (JDS) is a graduate programme which is granted by the Government of Japan. Ritsumeikan University has received eleven JDS students since 2002.
Our Graduate School of Policy Science (GSPS) would like to propose a programme for granting a master degree, entitled ?Higher Education Degree Programme on Regional Policy and Planning? (RPP), to foreign students. This programme will be offered and managed by GSPS, beginning in September 2004.

2.Domain and Target

To provide opportunities to developing countries nations for academic research at Japanese higher educational institutions, and to help them build their human networks. JDS is supporting the human resources development plans for developing countries, and it expands and encourages the bilateral relationship between each developing country and Japan. Young people from developing countries such as government officials, researchers, business executives and others with the potential are expected to play leadership roles in the 21st century.
RPP in GSPS focus on public policy and public planning toward sustainable regional development. The programme is provided for both central and local government officials, researchers and NGO staff who would like to acquire master degrees.

7.Objectives and goals (outline)

RPP consists of the following components:

(1) GSPS is not mono-disciplinary, therefore the programme should also treat inter-disciplinary, cross-disciplinary and trans-disciplinary academic domains.

(2) The programme should grant Master of Arts in Policy Science, the same degree as also given to regular students in GSPS.

(3) RPP covers the following areas of study:

•Sustainable Development
	Sustainable Development covers both development and environmental issues. It contains stable public and social management methods for an entire region/area, and its governance and administrations.
• Regional Development
	Regional Development covers mainly economic growth and development. It also focuses poverty reduction and improvement of the quality of life in future society.
• Social Development
	Social Development covers a wide range of not only social welfare but also public health, education and community development etc.
• Gender and Development
	Gender and Development provides a critical assessment of the effects of development, environmental deprivation and technological processes on women and men.
• Environmental Science and Technology Assessment
	Environmental fields are important for sustainable development. They should cover not only environmental science and technology but also strategic environmental assessment.
• Planning Science and Technology
	It covers planning phenomena with planning theory, planning science, technology of planning and technology for planning.
• Regional Policy and Information
	Regional sustainable development is a process for achieving regional policy. It covers regional policy and public information systems.

8. Degree Title

GSPS offers two-year master programme as RPP,
granting Master of Arts in Policy Science. (M.A. in Policy Science)


9.General Requirements for Application

(1) a bachelor degree (normally from a four-year program) or its equivalent in an appropriate field of study from an institution of recognized standing. Applicants with some working experience would be preferable.

(2) official documents as follows:

- certificate of a bachelor degree or some evidence of earning it in case applicants are still enrolled in the last semester
- transcripts (which include Grade Point Average) from all higher education institutions which you have attended
- results of the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) exam. 500 is a minimum acceptable score
- a confidential letter of recommendation from a person who knows you at work, e.g. in governments, corporations, or NGOs, in case you have working experience.