Concentrations

Invitation to International Politics

In this age of globalization, international politics has become much too complex to understand merely by following the superficial developments reported in the media. The boundaries between security and economics have become blurred, and international relations are constantly interacting with the domestic political and economic situation. Through the study of international politics, one gains the tools to understand and analyze such developments in all their complexity and obscurity.

International politics and area studies complement each other in important ways. By ranging freely between area studies in their chosen region and the concentration’s rich course offerings in international politics, students are able to gain deeper insight into both.

Academic Aims of the International Politics Concentration

1. To grasp the basic concepts, theories, and historical knowledge needed to understand and analyze the dynamics of international politics.

2. With this grasp as a foundation, to develop the intellectual creativity to “think outside the box” and boldly pursue one’s own ideas wherever they may lead.

3. To develop a broad and flexible perspective by ranging freely between area studies in one’s chosen region and the study of international politics.

4. To develop an awareness of one’s own role as a member of the international community and the determination to contribute to society as an active, independent professional or intellectual.

Curriculum of the International Politics Concentration

Introductory Courses

Students who select the International Politics concentration begin by taking the concentration’s introductory courses, such as those listed below. In these courses, students learn the basic concepts of international relations and international politics.

Sample Course Offerings :

Introduction to International Relations
Globalization and Politics
Global History
Peace Studies

Core Courses

The International Politics concentration offers a rich variety of core courses dealing with key concepts and theories in the field. Other courses at this level focus on major actors and relevant themes in international politics today. Through a systematic but flexible selection of coursework, students in the concentration develop the ability to reach a deep understanding of international politics.

Sample Course Offerings :

International Politics
Global Governance
History of International Politics 
Comparative Politics
Special Topics in International Organizations
Japanese Foreign Relations
Chinese Politics and Foreign Relations

Seminar Courses

Seminar courses foster a more independent style of study, allowing students to further develop the knowledge and insight they have gained in the concentration’s introductory and core courses. At this level of study, students in the International Politics concentration select the area and approach on which they wish to focus their study of international politics.

Seminars differ from lecture courses in that they begin and end with self-directed student participation. By reading a wide range of materials on international politics in Japanese and other languages—from the classics to the latest cutting-edge studies—discussing them with their peers, and writing papers that bring their own insights and views to bear, students in the International Politics concentration stake out their own original viewpoint together with a level of knowledge befitting a graduate of this program.

Sample Course Offerings :

Seminar in Global and International Studies
Seminar in the United Nations and Conflict Resolution
Seminar in Foreign Policy
Seminar in International Systems
Seminar in International Politics
Seminar in Comparative Politics