Department of Political Science

Learning to find a path to solutions, for everything from local problems to national policy

Politics is a process in which member politicians carry out collaborative decision making in order to solve problems occurring in society. In order to address political problems, students need a scientific approach that illuminates the true nature of the subject phenomenon, an understanding of the historical background of that phenomenon, and philosophical and ideological conceptual skills. We treat the study of political science as a comprehensive discipline. Saying what needs to be said and speaking for those who are in circumstances that prevent them from saying what needs to be said, the Department of Political Science nurtures educated and politically minded citizens with overall judgment and critical-thinking ability and with courage and the capacity to imagine themselves in the other person’s shoes.

Curriculum overview

In their first year, students acquire a foundation of political science knowledge, and as their personal interest in particular issues develops in subsequent years, they study the three fields of governance, global politics, and media politics. Governance studies can include comparative politics, politics and culture theory, NGO theory, contemporary political theory, welfare state theory, city administration, the community and citizens, government and corporations, public service laws, the Local Autonomy Act, public finance, etc. Global politics studies can include comparative politics, politics and culture theory, history of international relations, war and peace, international organization theory, international law, etc. Media politics studies can include introduction to information science, social statistics, political psychology, information media theory, mass communication theory, information and law, marketing communication, etc. In addition, since the Department of Political Science is situated in the Faculty of Law, there are many law courses that students can take, including the basic law courses that are necessary as preparation for entering law school.

Field work and internships are also available along with lecture series presented by a succession of professional persons active in society. The special features of the Department of Political Science include the ability of students to deepen their learning through contact with the real world, and the providing of learning opportunities other than lectures, such as new-student workshops in which upperclassmen provide guidance to first-year students and political symposia planned and run primarily by the students themselves.