Department of International Studies
Department of International Studies
Department of Global and Transcultural Studies
Becoming citizens who think for ourselves and take collaborative action in a globalizing world
In contemporary society, events occurring on the other side of the globe can have an immediate impact on our lives. We are also expected to work with people of diverse origins and cultural backgrounds. Students in the Department of International Studies explore various multicultural, environmental, and peace-related issues confronting our society with faculty members who are experts in fields related to culture, economics, politics, law, and society in various regions around the world. Through small-group exercises and hands-on learning, our students develop the ability to think flexibly from multiple perspectives, along with communication skills to hold logical discussions.
Department of International Studies
Key Features of the Department of International Studies
Point 01
Small-group classes
In each year of their course, students learn about international studies in small-group exercises (seminars) of around 12 people. They acquire critical thinking and communication skills in learning communities where they can hold discussions in an atmosphere of mutual trust.
Point 02
Interdisciplinary learning
Students learn about global issues from diverse fields related to culture, economics, and politics. In their first year, they cover a wide range of basic topics, during which time they can tailor their curriculum according to their own interests. A combined approach is also possible, such as considering regional development from the perspective of multicultural coexistence, or studying environmental protection from the perspective of legal systems. Regional research focusing on various parts of the world is another distinctive feature of the learning we offer.
Point 03
Practical English education
English courses are part of the curriculum until the third year. Students are divided into small-group classes according to their level of ability, and study topics related to their specialization in English. They gradually improve their reading, writing, listening and speaking skills.
Point 04
A global environment
The Department supports various opportunities to study abroad and a range of overseas internships. For example, in addition to the double degree program whereby students can earn degrees from both San Francisco State University and Meiji Gakuin University, we offer programs to study abroad in various parts of the world and an internship program where students can learn the local language and culture while playing a role in the Japanese language education provided in Australian schools. Furthermore, the Yokohama Campus allows our students to spend four years in a multicultural environment as it attracts young people from all over the world.
Program Structure
Students start to build the foundations for their interdisciplinary learning in their first year via small-group learning (Introductory Seminar) and basic specialized classes. From their second year onwards, students select exercises and specialized classes according to their interests, determining the core elements of their studies. They study their specializations in greater depth in their third and fourth years, and the culmination of their studies is the graduation thesis they write in their fourth year.
Topics
Principles of Environmental Studies
Environmental destruction has become a serious issue as a result of profit maximization becoming the main objective of economic activities. In this course, students consider themes such as agriculture, food, and ecosystems by means of their interactions with crops, bees and other aspects of the natural world in Maioka Park, which adjoins the Yokohama Campus. The course also includes time set aside for philosophical discussions.
Peace Studies 1, 2
This is an academic discipline intended to put an end to violence. The term “violence” as used here means anything that makes someone feel they cannot go on living. Specifically, in this course, we regard everything from bullying to poverty, discrimination, environmental issues, terrorism, and war as “violence.” Students explore and discuss these various forms of violence and how they can be eliminated.
