Introduction to Public Policy

Fundamentals of public policy, problem solving approaches, and methodology of policy studies. Dealing with significance, structure and processes of public policy, as well as dynamics relationship between government, citizens, NGOs, or companies.
 

Local Governance

Analyzing the present situation of local governance in Japan in terms of history, institution, policy, personnel, facility and finance, based on the understanding of the idea of local self-government, principle of subsidiarity or decentralization, Major focus will be on the problem solving processes through the collaboration between local government, citizens, NPOs and companies.
 

Policy Process and Political Institutions

Analyzing the policy processes of the cycle of planning, decision, implementation and evaluation, in relation with political actors and institutions. In addition to the understanding of the present situation, the course will prospect the future institutional design and the change in the relationship between actors.
 

Public Administration

Analyzing the structure and function of modern public administration, the functions and dysfunctions of bureaucracy, and the democratic control of civil service system. Main focus will be on the recent trends of administrative reforms, including politics-administration relationship, civil service reform, privatization, NPM, and administrative accountability.
 

International Public Policy

Examines theoretical and practical issues in international public policy for both intergovernmental and nongovernmental organizations in the changing context of globalization. Language of instruction differs by year.
 

Comparative Public Policy and Administration

Advanced, comparative studies of public policy and administration in various countries. In addition to cross-national analysis of Japan, Western and developing countries, this course deals with cross-policy issue comparison, cross-time analysis of administrative development, and categorization based on cultural patterns and differences.
 

Legislative Process

This course studies the limits of legal way of thinking, on the hand, and necessities of policy science oriented way of thinking, on the other, focusing especially on the legislative process, administrative legislation, and local autonomy law.
(Offered Alternate Years)

Advanced Studies in Public Policy I

Seminar style, specialized study course in public policy. Analyzing such policy fields as environment, welfare, life, industry, urban planning, or culture, in relation to policy processes and institutional change in cabinet, intergovernmental relations and civil service system.
(Offered Alternate Years)

Advanced Studies in Public Policy II

Seminar style, specialized study course in public policy. Analyzing such policy fields as environment, welfare, life, industry, urban planning, or culture, in relation to policy processes and institutional change in cabinet, intergovernmental relations and civil service system.
(Offered Alternate Years)

Advanced Studies in Public Policy III

Seminar style, specialized course in public policy. Analyzing such policy fields as environment, welfare, life, industry, urban planning, or culture, in relation to policy processes and institutional change in cabinet, intergovernmental relations and civil service system.
(Offered Alternate Years)

Advanced Studies in Public Policy IV

Seminar style, specialized study course in public policy. Analyzing such policy fields as environment, welfare, life, industry, urban planning, or culture, international public policy in relation to policy processes and institutional change in cabinet, intergovernmental relations and civil service system.
(Offered Alternate Years)

Advanced Studies in Public Policy V

Seminar style, specialized study course in public policy. Analyzing such policy fields as environment, welfare, life, industry, urban planning, or culture, international public policy in relation to policy processes and institutional change in cabinet, intergovernmental relations and civil service system.
(Offered Alternate Years)

Business Administration

This course looks at necessary arrangements required to achieve the organization¡Çs goal, ie. management. In this course, Focusing on basic ideas of business administration and management, we see management from the following three aspects; 1. management of organization, 2. management of organization members, 3. management of environments that surrounds the organization.
 

Introduction to Development Studies

Theories policies and problems of development in developing countries are considered. The concept and purpose of development, role of governments in development and economic, social and political factors are covered. Language of instruction differs by year.
 

Public Health and Development

To pursue better health, comprehensive approach including situational analysis, community development and capacity building, etc is needed in addition to solo health and medical approach. The actor should be familiar about social institution and culture, and build consensus on the issue with stakeholders. The effective actor should have basic scientific thinking, competency to understand and communicate with transcultural aspect, and leadership. This course will offer basic knowledge and skills on community development, health and social activities, based on public health, behavioral science and their application through case studies in and outside of Japan.
 

Law and Economics

The purpose of this course is to clarify phenomena and problems that are inherent in the market economy by an examination of the laws and economic systems that support the internal and contractual structure of the market.
 

Public Economics

Public economics analyzes the economic activity involving the government and the public sector. This course will deal with various aspects of government administration or public finance, and address such question as why government is needed, why taxes are imposed, the role of public investment, and questions relating to the decentralization of power.
 

Urban Economics

This course analyses various problems in urban areas, such as housing, transportation, environment, finance, and homelessness from the viewpoints of urban economics.
 

Japanese Economy

An economic analysis on the post-war Japanese economy based on macro- and microeconomic theories.
 

Educational Administration

Aim at providing the basic knowledge of educational administration focusing on the nature and meaning of educational administration, its types, and the interaction of educational administration and contemporary educational problems. Required elective course for all the students in the Teacher Certification Program.
(Offered Alternate Years)

International Education Policy Analysis

This course will introduce students to current debates in international education policy studies and methods for policy analysis. Policy studies will be discussed as a field in relation to international relations, development studies, and comparative and international education. Students will learn policy analysis methods, conduct a policy analysis study of an existing education policy in a particular nation, and produce a policy report. Recommended to be taken after EDUCATION IN DEVELOPING NATIONS.
(Offered Alternate Years)

Global Civil Society

Examines the theoretical and practical challenges NGOs and other stakeholders encounter in an emerging global civil society. Language of instruction differs by year.
 

Gender and International Relations

The course explores the question how gender interacts with "national" security issues (issues such as war and military) and global economy issues (such as trade and economic gap between industrialized and developing nations) in addition to issues such as feminization of poverty, migration, environment and human security.
 

Introduction to International Relations

Introduction to the key issues underlying the interaction of states and transnational actors in the international system, particularly the problems of international peace and cooperation, regionalism, democratization, nationalism and cultural conflict.
 

Foreign Policy Analysis

Provides an analytical basis for the study of foreign policy.
 

International Institutions

The course examines theoretical and practical issues in international institutions that govern and tackle global issues. Topics may include international regimes and global public goods. Language of instruction differs by year.
 

International Political Economy

The course will deal with issues of international political economy such as trade, finance, and capital movement from both theoretical and empirical viewpoints.
 

Studies of the United Nations

This course will study the history of the establishment of the United Nations, its organization and activities, and the solution of various international problems through the United Nations.
 

Politics and International Relations in Africa

Analysis of domestic politics, social structure and international relations in Africa.
 

Politics and International Relations in Latin America

Analyzes contemporary Latin American politics and international relations.
 

Global Environment and Sustainable Development

Examines the key conceptual frameworks and selected case studies in global environment and sustainable development.
 

Introduction to Legal Science

The function of law in society, its nature and historical evolution, and fundamental legal principles of the international community, the state, civil society and the family.
 

Administrative Law I

General principles of administrative law. Emphasis on problems of administrative litigation, civil service and local autonomy. The course extends over more than a single prerequisite to younger number.
 

Administrative Law II

General principles of administrative law. Emphasis on problems of administrative litigation, civil service and local autonomy. The course extends over more than a single prerequisite to younger number.
 

Constitutional Law I

This course focuses on the main issues of the Constitution in the field of human rights and pacifism principle, in line with the case laws and academic theories. By taking together with CONSTITUTIONAL LAW II, students will have better understanding of the relationship of pacifism, democracy and constitutionalism.
 

International Law I

Historical evolution, nature, structure and function of international law; contemporary legal issues relating to foreign affairs. The course extends over more than a single prerequisite to younger number.
 

International Law II

Historical evolution, nature, structure and function of international law; contemporary legal issues relating to foreign affairs. The course extends over more than a single prerequisite to younger number.
 

International Organization

The bases of international organization, its historical development from the international public unions of the 19th century to the United Nations and contemporary patterns of international organizations.
 

Constitutional Law II

This course focuses on the major issues of the constitutional frame of governance, such as National Diet, Cabinet, Courts, Local Government, and Constitutional Amendment, in line with the case laws and academic theories. Strongly recommended to take along with CONSTITUTIONAL LAW I.
 

Criminal Law I

Studies of principles and practices of the Japanese Criminal Law: an explanation of its preventive, retributive and corrective theories; its general principles; some case studies. Prerequisites: INTRODUCTION TO LEGAL SCIENCE and CONSTITUTIONAL LAW.
 

Criminal Law II

Studies of principles and practices of the Japanese Criminal Law: an explanation of its preventive, retributive and corrective theories; its general principles; some case studies. Prerequisites: INTRODUCTION TO LEGAL SCIENCE and CONSTITUTIONAL LAW.
 

Comparative Constitutional Law

Comparative studies of some constitutions, especially specified concerning civil liberties and form of government.
 

Labor Law

Labor laws of Japan and other major countries, systems of labor administration, and international labor conventions and their enforcement.
 

Law and Society

This course clarifies the various aspects of the transformation of contemporary Japanese law and society by picking up major topics of general theory of sociology of law, law interpretation and sociology of law, state law and customary law, court functioning, law consciousness, market economics and law, and peculiarity and universality of Japanese law.
(Offered Alternate Years)

Language and Social Policy

This course examines language policies in international context, with emphasis on the connections between language and other areas of social policy, including education, employment, and migration.
 

Introduction to Political Science

Covering various fields of political science. Dealing with various methodologies and methods of learning in the discipline of political science. Analyzing basic concepts and main ideas of political science. Language of instruction differs by year.
 

Political Culture

Analytical and comparative studies of various types of political culture and tradition including Japan.
 

Political Theory

Theorizing contemporary politics, democracy, the state, civil society, identity, and so forth. Emphasis on theories of political institutions, ideologies and types of behaviors.
 

American Politics

This course will discuss the fundamental problems of power and liberty, the making of the Federal Constitution, federalism, separation of powers, political process, political parties, pressure groups, and public opinion, judicial review, and some current problems.
 

Comparative Politics

The main goal of this course is to examine relationship between state and society in the various political regimes. The main focus will be modernization and democratization processes. Language of instruction differs by year.
 

Japanese Politics

This course aims at exploring political as well as historical, sociological, economic, and cultural aspects of the Japanese state and society.
 

Politics in Southeast Asia

Study of politics in Southeast Asia. Its historical evolution and current situation are analyzed in relation with socioeconomic change and international environment.
 

Political Sociology

Through this course, students learn how social characteristics of a country are interrelated with its political features. More specifically, this course addresses issues such as concepts and theories of political sociology, nationalism, political participation, and political beliefs.
(Offered Alternate Years)

Senior Thesis

Senior students, under the guidance of an advisor, will select a subject related to their major and prepare a senior thesis. The final product should represent the efforts of one year of sustained and rigorous thinking, research, and writing. Required of all students in their senior year.
 

Introduction to Social Welfare

Theoretical and historical approach to problems of Social Welfare in Japan today. Includes study of its aims, principles and methods of Social Welfare. Required of those seeking junior and senior high school teacher certification.
 

Public Policy

This course is a graduate seminar designed to introduce basic approaches in studying public policy. This course will offer an analytical survey of various theoretical approaches in studying public policy and will read classic literature as well as recent empirical studies. Throughout reading literature and class discussions, this course is designed for students to obtain conceptual and analytical knowledge in studying public policies at the graduate level. We will mainly cover topics such as agenda setting, policy formation, decision making, and policy evaluation as well as theoretical approaches such as advocacy coalition framework.
(Offered Alternate Years)