Department of International Studies

Department of International Studies
Department of Global and Transcultural Studies

This department presents courses that elucidate international society, in all its tumultuous change, taught by humanities and social science specialists who have a wealth of international experience and are experts in teaching and research. These courses instill thoughtfulness toward others and foster the growth of character that is recognized worldwide. We anticipate having students who will be filled with intellectual curiosity, who think things through for themselves, who are active in doing things, and who are motivated to work with other people of differing cultures on the international scene.

International Studies

Content and Characteristics

Approaches from a variety of different academic fields

We have instructors in a variety of different fields, including culture, economics, and politics, and we provide a diverse and well-balanced curriculum.

Flexible, wide-ranging learning possible with development course cluster

Specialized courses that cover interdisciplinary topics such as peace studies, environmental issues, and multi-cultural societies are provided so they can be studied from any of a variety of approaches, including economics, politics, law, culture, and language.

Regional studies course cluster covers broad area

Many regional studies courses are provided so that you can study all the world’s regions, from Asia to Europe, Africa, America, the Middle East, and so on.

Interactive education and varied experiential programs

A system of seminars conducted through all four years of university has been put in place whereby students and faculty members engage in interactive education based on dialogue. With this system as the foundation, we offer a diversity of off-campus experiential programs with off-campus workshops and internships, together with a double degree program.

Four-Year Program Flow

First year: Start from the foundation with lectures and seminars in small groups

Students acquire the skills for university study in foundation seminars with an average of a little over 10 students and foundation lecture courses with around 40 students, acquiring a mind for interdisciplinary learning of humanities and social sciences during the second to fourth years. At the same time, thoroughgoing training in English and other foreign languages takes place in small classes of just over 10 students.

Second year: There are six specialized fields in which research is pursued in seminars

There are six major fields, such as peace studies, environmental issues, and multi-cultural societies, and students focus on one of them while gaining more in-depth and fully-rounded learning with off-campus workshops and other programs that also include overseas experiences. At the same time, you take specialized courses in English side by side with American students as well as exchange students from Europe, Asia, and other areas.

Third and fourth years: Internship experiences in other countries and graduation thesis writing

Long-term internships in other countries are offered as training for full-time employment and as members of international society. Various other internship experiences are also available in Japan and elsewhere. From the second year, students also start exploring their chosen research topics in greater depth in seminars, complete their graduation thesis as the comprehensive culmination of their studies, and proceed to take their places in society.

Key Points about the Department of International Studies

Regional research with breadth that addresses a world of diversity

The Department of International Studies offers numerous regional research courses. The coverage includes Asia, Europe, Africa, and others, and it would be no exaggeration to say it is worldwide. In the courses, faculty members who are knowledgeable about their respective regions introduce the circumstances and attractions of the regions, in line with their own topics, and examine problems and solutions with the students. The Department of International Studies also holds off-campus workshops that provide students a valuable opportunity to confirm and experience the things they studied at the university. Together with their seminar instructor, students go on-site for two to four weeks to examine local circumstances and problems faced by the people involved, which cannot be understood just from the classroom or book study. This experience contributes to valuable abilities that are essential to understanding others.