List of Courses (International Relations and Politics)

 
Course Title Description
Contemporary Political Theory The aim of this course is to grasp contemporary currents of political theory, through examinations of liberal-democratic theory and its critiques. Today, more than thirty years after the end of the Cold War, many controversies with liberalism have been held from quarters seeking radicalization of democracy. At the same time, the rise of so-called "populism" requires us to reconsider traditional arguments on the masses and mass democracy. This course will begin with the examinations of some representative discussions on mass society. Then, we move on to discuss contemporary liberalism including a theory of justice, and then introduce discussions such as the "politics of common good" (communitarianism, republicanism), the "politics of difference" (feminism), and the "politics of identity" (multiculturalism) in order to understand what is "the political".
Great Power Politics in the World This course will focus on the future balance of power in the world, focusing on cooperation as well as competition among the 21st Century Great Powers. We will study the role of rising powers like China and India to global power in the decades ahead, as well as the role of powers like the Russian Federation and Europe and their possible rejuvenation or decline on the global stage. We will look closely at the changing nature of American power and the consequences of any change in its power position to the International Liberal Order. In addition, we will focus on the relationship between the United States, China and the Russian Federation and their likely competition for strategic influence in Eurasia as well as the Asia-Pacific region. 
International Political Economy This course introduces the subject area of international political economy (IPE). In attempting to introduce the key dynamics in the contemporary world economy, this course focuses on activities such as trade, production, finance, development, globalization and the environment. The course is particularly focused on the following areas 1) an overview of the global political economy 2) the historical development of the global economy and institutional framework, including how they have changed over recent decades 3) a familiarity with various theoretical aspects of international political economy 4) The trade regime and global trade relation 5) The global financial system 6) Globalization and development 7) Political economy of the environment.
International Institutions and Global Governance This course focuses on the process in which the anarchic international society forms international institutions in order to solve a shared problems among states, and on the way in which institution building in the international society provides a new form of governance in it.
Students are primarily working on the following questions:
(1)Why does the nation state system form international institutions and organizations?
(2)For the maintenance of international peace and security, what kind of roles and functions do international institutions play?
(3)Why do we find more international institutions in the field of international political economy than that of international peace and security? What are the differences between the two fields?
(4)What functions do international institutions provide for the recognition and resolution of new issues in the international society?
(5)Is today’s globalization requiring a new form of global governance including non governmental organizations?
(6)Are there any distinct characteristics in regional institutions of Asia?
Citizenship and Democracy in a Global Age The aim of this course is to explore why "citizenship" matters in democracy in a global age we live in. Although many students tend to think that "citizenship" is a moral, ethical matter, it is a very political notion as well. Here are two aspects of citizenship in political theory: "public participation" and "tolerance toward different others". This course follows the contemporary currents of democratic theory from participatory democracy to radical democracy, as well as of civil society arguments flourished in the 1980s and 1990s. Then, we examine discussions on "global democracy" and "global civil society". Finally, we will consider what "global citizenship" could mean and how it would be possible.
International Relations in Asia This course focuses on the theoretical and policy issues of international relations in Asia. First, students will learn the theoretical frameworks of Asian diplomatic relations, as well as diplomatic policies of major countries in the region. The special emphasis will be given to the changing role of the US in the region, the rise of China and India, and Japanese policy under the Abe administration. Then, the latter half of the course will focus on major diplomatic issues in contemporary Asia, such as history issues, the North Korean nuclear development, the evolution of public diplomacy. Finally, students will try to identify trends and future prospects in the region.
International Bargaining This course is an introduction to the analysis of the causes and character of international conflict and cooperation. The course begins with a foundational review of the different levels at which states
interact and the primary theoretical paradigms in the field. A special focus will be on the concept of rationality, which is a central idea in international relations, politics, law and moral and political philosophy. The demands of rationality have been formulated in different ways, in international realations, in in classical and contemporary economics, philosophical analysis of practical reason, and in legal theory including law and economics. This course will provide a critical examination of the different ways of characterizing rationality and its requirements. It will especially focus on the role of rationality in international relations and bargaining.
Comparative Politics This course introduces the subject area of comparative politics. It is concerned with the most important aspects of the political life and will provide the students the analytical knowledge and skill to understand the comparative politics worldwide. The course will provide invaluable skills and knowledge to develop familiarity with the major issues in comparative politics and the practical skills in analyzing countries around the globe.
Nonprofit Organizations and Public Sector This course treats Non Profit Organizations and related political and governmental systems.
Students will study about function, management and financial aspects of various types of organizations in public sector such as universities, sports organizations, Independent Administrative Agencies and international NGOs. This course treats also governmental systems, political and administrative process in Japan and sometimes those in some other countries.
It also treats evaluation and planning of public projects, the procurement system in public sector and accounting and taxation system about NPOs in Japan.