Curriculum

Graduation requirements and courses

• Graduation requirements
• List of courses

International Relations

In the first year, students take Introductory Seminar I and II, fundamental subjects, and core subjects to acquire the basic knowledge and skills needed to study International Relations. There are three main areas of specialization, as follows

• Theories of International Relations
• Politics for Global Studies
• Economics for Global Studies
• Sociology for Global Studies
• Macroeconomics
• Global Studies Research

• GOVERNANCE AND PEACE CLUSTER covers:
  • Peace and Conflict Studies
  • Security Studies
  • International Human Rights
  • International Law
  • Global Political Economy
  • International Organizations
• DEVELOPMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY CLUSTER covers:
  • Global Environmental Issues
  • International Development Cooperation
  • International Finance
  • International Trade and Investment
  • North-South Relations
  • Social Development
• CULTURE AND SOCIETY CLUSTER covers:
  • Global Sociology
  • Media and Society
  • Cultural Awareness and Communication
  • Topics in Identity
  • Race and Ethnicity in the Modern World
  • International Migration

Regional Studies

In addition to theory, the College of International Relations places great importance on studying world regions. Students take Regional studies courses to deepen their knowledge of the history and culture of districts of their interest from their second year.

• Introduction to Area Studies
• Advanced Topics in Area Studies
• United States Politics and Foreign Policy
• Foreign Relations of Japan
• Japanese Politics
• Business Administration in Japan
• Korean Studies
• Contemporary China
• Southeast Asian Studies
• Japanese Society
• Japanese Culture
• Japanese Economy
• Japan-United States Relations
• Modern Japanese History

Group Studies

Students take small-group courses from their first year through to their fourth year. They acquire academic skills through discussing and presenting in small classes, gradually developing the ability to organize their graduation research.

At the end of the second year, students select a seminar (a class of specialized exercises) to which they will belong for two years. In the third and fourth years, students research a topic of their interest under the guidance of their seminar supervisor, culminating in a graduation research project in the final semester of the fourth year.

Foreign Language Studies

English is a compulsory two-year course for all first and second-year students. Students are placed in classes according to their English ability and set targets to meet their level of proficiency. Students progressively improve their English language skills in preparation for specific courses offered in English and for study abroad. If you wish, you can also take an intensive course (Intensive English I - VI) to improve your TOEFL® or IELTS score.

Upon Admission, all first-year students select a primary Foreign Language course from French, German, Spanish, Chinese and Korean (Japanese available for foreign students only).

There are intermediate and advanced Foreign Language Studies for students wishing to continue beyond their second grade (Advanced, Minor subjects (Foreign Communications) Specialised foreign languages, etc)

Studying Abroad

While studying abroad is optional, 30-40% of students from International Relations participate in long-term study abroad programs of six months to a year. Before or after studying abroad, students can maintain and improve their English by taking specialized courses offered in English. For more information, please visit the International Education Center's Study Abroad Program website.