Department of Political Science
Department of Juridical Studies
Department of Current Legal Studies
Department of Global Legal Studies
Department of Political Science
Learning the specialized, practical skills to detect and discuss issues, and propose solutions
Politics is the process by which the members of a society make and implement decisions to solve the issues that society faces. Resolving such issues demands a scientific approach, an understanding of history, and conceptual skills rooted in philosophy and ideas. The Department of Political Science produces well-educated political citizens with comprehensive decision-making and critical thinking skills, and the courage and empathy to work toward resolving such issues.
Department of Political Science
Key Features of the Department of Political Science
Point 01
The freedom to study a wide range of subjects with a focus on your career path
The Department has only two required courses: Intro Seminar of Political Science and Elements of Political Sciences. After mastering the basics of political science in their first year, students can choose freely, based on their intended career and interests, from courses in three areas of study: Governance, which covers public policy and local politics; Media and Politics, which covers polimetrics and the media; and International Politics, which covers international relations and diplomacy.
Point 02
Student-led political debates and lectures by politicians
Students plan and run political debates and lectures by politicians for students in the years below them on themes decided by the students themselves. The Department of Political Science has a tradition that these events are completely left to the students themselves. They do everything, from choosing which politicians to invite, to negotiating with them on arrangements and running the event on the day.
Point 03
Substantial small-group education and research activities
We emphasize small-group education, such as the Introductory Seminar in the first year that leads on to fieldwork in the second year, and exercises and the writing of a graduation thesis in the third and fourth years. We provide students with many opportunities to learn from each other and receive personalized guidance from our faculty. Research activities are based on the students’ own interests, and they confront the reality of politics through interviews and hands-on activities at places such as the offices of parliamentary members, government agencies, media organizations, NPOs, and NGOs.
Program Structure
In small-group seminars on basic topics during their first year, students develop their ability to learn autonomously while strengthening their discussion and presentation skills. They begin specialized studies in earnest in their second year, as well as carrying out field research with one-on-one guidance from a faculty member. In their third and fourth years, the focus of their learning is on exploring topics in seminars. The themes covered range from local issues to international politics, and many unique seminars are available, such as hands-on overseas training or participating in a contest where university students from all over Japan compete in formulating public policies.
Topics
Polimetric Analysis
Which kinds of countries tend to democratize, what are the causes of civil wars, and are local governments in Japan reducing waiting lists for daycare services? Students gain a quantitative understanding of political phenomena such as these, and acquire the tools to analyze them statistically while considering the importance of finding causal relationships.
Public Policy
With the goal of resolving various issues that arise in society, students learn how public policies can be solutions based on the realities of social issues and political theories. They also consider how government, business, and non-profit organizations are involved in such solutions and the roles they play in them.