A single curriculum jointly designed
by two different universities
The Joint Degree Program offers an opportunity for students to study Global International Relations (GIR) throughout their time at both Ritsumeikan University (RU) and American University (AU). The degree is revolutionary in that it is the first ever joint undergraduate degree established between a Japanese and foreign university. To provide an idea of what a jointly designed curriculum actually is, Associate Professor Thomas French thoroughly explains how RU Home Students, who begin their studies at Ritsumeikan, complete their degree over four years of study.
First 1.5 years at
RU: Building an academic foundation
Students in the Joint degree have a huge range of courses to choose from at both AU and RU and can pursue their interests and passions within these, but due to the unique structure of the program a core of courses centering on key themes and skills they will need to succeed in the program and in their future careers are provided over the four years. RU Home Students spend their first 3 semesters at RU, from the first-year Spring semester to the second-year Spring semester. This period of study will provide foundational skills and knowledge that pave the way for growth in the GIR fields. Specifically, students will gain the following competencies in three areas.
Essential knowledge and research skills to study GIR from multiple perspectives
The first semesters include foundational courses in politics, economics and international studies. These courses will help them analyze relations between countries from different perspectives. Students also take introductory courses related to three GIR themes, (1) Global and Comparative Governance, (2) Identity, Race, Gender, and Culture, (3) Peace, Global Security, and Conflict Resolution. In addition, they will learn essential research skills necessary to take appropriate methodological approaches to various issues. The research coursework is composed of information gathering, research planning, statistical analysis and more.
＜Course Title Examples＞
・Introductory Seminar Ⅰ & Ⅱ
・Theories of International Relations
・Economics for Global Studies
・Macroeconomics
・Introduction to the United Nations
・Comparative and Global Governance
・Introduction to Gender Studies
・Race and Ethnicity in the Modern World
・Introduction to Peace Studies
・Security Studies
・Global Studies Research
Academic skills and English competencies for reading, writing and presenting
To learn international relations systematically, it is essential to use and critique academic literature in English, and to understand English based resources on various topics, such as international affairs, politics, economics, migration and environmental issues. In addition to reading competencies, verbal and written communication skills in English are also important for academic success. Our Academic Skills courses are designed to develop these essential English skills.
RU Home Students must pass the English test score required by the AU admission guidelines (TOEFL iBT 85, IELTS 6.5, or PTE 60) by the end of March in their first year at RU, before they begin their studies at AU from the Fall semester of their second year. We offer optional courses that help students improve their tests score up to the level required. To date, all our students have successfully been able to meet the required English test score within the first year (as of academic year 2021).
＜Course Title Examples＞
・Academic Skills Ⅰ、 Academic Skills Ⅱ、 Academic Skills Ⅲ
・Intensive English Ⅰ~Ⅳ
Adaptability to cross-cultural environments for successful transition to AU
One of the key features of the program is a “cohort course” where RU Home Students work together with AU Home Students, who begin their studies at AU. Designed exclusively for RU and AU Home Students, these small classes foster a strong student network and give an opportunity to learn about each other’s cultures and countries. Students in the cohort class support, encourage and learn from one another, building a strong network and friends for the future. Fellow JD students are the best source of information on life at AU and RU for those who have just arrived or will be traveling soon. It is a huge benefit for RU Home Students to learn in such an environment before they move to AU, and for the AU Home Students who have just arrived in Japan.
＜Course Title Examples＞
・Japanese Culture
・Cultural Awareness and Communication
Also, RU Home Students take classes with students in the Global Studies Major, another English-based degree program. These students come from all over the world and have diverse backgrounds. By studying with the GS students, students will come into contact with different cultures and views in the world, even before they transition to AU. This is another special part of the program.
2 years at AU: Exploring specific themes,
deepening understanding of East Asia
and the United States
RU Home Students spend two years at AU’s School of International Service. During their time at AU, they will develop their knowledge and focus in depth on what they have learnt at RU.
Acquiring a wide range of skills and knowledge through AU
All students must complete a number of liberal arts courses at AU. It is designed to give students a firm grounding to study GIR from different angles and a range of intellectual knowledge necessary to become a global leader. The curriculum includes courses in mathematics, biology, chemistry, psychology, history, sociology, arts, and more. Through studying across these diverse subject areas, students are expected to acquire a multifaceted world view, foundational skills to further develop their field of interests, as well as broad spectrum knowledge and insight. RU Home Students also take a further “cohort course” at AU and learn with AU Home Students in a small class setting in the US too.
＜Course Title Examples＞
・American University Experience Ⅰ・Ⅱ
・Complex Problems Seminar
・First Year Seminar
・College Writing Seminar
Focus in depth on the IR and regional studies
Students choose their primary and secondary Thematic Areas from the three themes, (1) Global and Comparative Governance, (2) Identity, Race, Gender, and Culture, (3) Peace, Global Security, and Conflict Resolution. They also take regional courses on East Asia and the Pacific as one of our goals is to prepare them to act as a bridge between the East Asia and the U.S. AU offers a huge range of courses on countries, regions and cultures, such as politics in Africa and security in the Arctic, to name a few.
＜Course Title Examples＞
・Introduction to International Economics
・International Relations Theory
・Global Economic Governance
・Topics in Identity, Race, Gender, and Culture
・Topics in Public Diplomacy
・Governance, Development, and Security in Asia
・Environment, Conflict, and Peace
・Economics of the World Regions
・China, Japan, and the United States
Conducting independent research for the graduation thesis
During the first 1.5 years at RU, students learn essential research skills. At AU, they learn more advanced research skills and conduct independent research on their chosen theme to prepare for their graduation thesis. AU faculty specializing in their area of interest support each student individually in their research work.
＜Course Title Examples＞
・Advanced International Studies Research
・Independent Reading Course in International Studies
・Independent Study
The last semester at
RU: A culmination of the program
As already explained, RU Home Students take foundational courses for the first 1.5 years at RU. Integrating their previous coursework at RU, they will gain advanced academic skills and focus on their major-specific study including the thematic area and regional studies during their two years at AU. Thus, they will further explore their topics of interest to produce their graduation thesis.
Students spend their final 6 months at RU to complete their graduation thesis as a culmination of their degree. Taking the baton from AU research supervisors, RU instructors support the students’ final steps in producing their thesis. A great significance of jointly designing a single curriculum is that students can explore in depth one research topic while at two campuses and in two countries. The collaboration between RU and AU only makes it possible to guide our students through four years of study in an integrated and globally unique curriculum.
＜Course Title Examples＞
・Advanced Seminar
・Graduation Research
Having studied in this unique climate and completed the curriculum in 4 years, I am confident that our students will have an array of career options in and outside of Japan open to them.
