・ Gain knowledge and understanding of the essence of democracy.
・ Understand the basic mechanisms of the market and economy.
・ Understand the state of political, economic, and international relations in today's society scientifically, and can proactively consider various issues related to them.
・ ,Can make fair judgments as citizens and make appropriate decisions as professionals as a result of all the above.
Outline:
This course is aimed at understanding the basic principles of politics and economy, and considering the mechanisms of and measures to address problems arising in the economic society and political system of today's society.
Style:
The class will be taught mainly with lectures, using textbooks, handouts, and students taking notes.
The first semester will be taught by Tetsuya Honma, and the second semester by Kaoru Hidaka. Liaison: Yuki Arakawa.
Notice:
Students are expected to gain the perspective that an international society is formed by diverse politics and economies. In order to do this, students are required to learn actively.
Students who miss 1/3 or more of classes will not be eligible for a passing grade.
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Theme |
Goals |
| 1st Semester |
| 1st Quarter |
| 1st |
Economic activity and capitalism |
Understand the characteristics and historical changes of a capitalistic economy, including the principles of a capitalistic economy and the role of the government.
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| 2nd |
Goods, services, and markets |
Understand the characteristics of goods and services. Also, understand the categories of economic entities, such as households, businesses, and governments, and their roles.
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| 3rd |
Household, consumer, and demand |
Learn about the concept of efficacy and surplus, and thus capture consumption activities. Find a demand curve through simple procedures.
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| 4th |
Businesses and production activities |
Understand the role of businesses and learn about the characteristics of a stock company. Understand the concept of profit. Find a supply curve through simple procedures.
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| 5th |
Functions and limitations of the market (1) |
Understand the basics of the price mechanism and recognize the stability and efficiency of the market balance.
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| 6th |
Functions and limitations of the market (2) |
Learn the idea of market failure, and understand the justification of government intervention in the market.
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| 7th |
Price |
Understand the concept of price and learn about the outline of price indexes. Understand the causes of inflation and deflation, and their impact on society.
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| 8th |
Midterm exam |
Check students' understanding of what they learned in the first half of the second semester.
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| 2nd Quarter |
| 9th |
National income and economic growth (1) |
Learn the idea of national economic indicators, especially GDP, and consider the relationship between them and the welfare of the people.
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| 10th |
National income and economic growth (2) |
Understand the concept of economic growth and the factors behind growth. Gain basic knowledge of the concept of economic climate and the mechanisms of economic fluctuations.
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| 11th |
Public finance (1) |
Understanding the function of public finance and learn about its relationship with the people's daily lives and the national economy (in particular the overall demand generation mechanism of fiscal policy.
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| 12th |
Public finance (2) |
Understand the basics of tax systems. Learn about the impact of tax's existence on the market.
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| 13th |
Money and finance |
Understand the characteristics of money. Learn about how finance works and the functions of financial institutions and central banks. Understand the main monetary policy.
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| 14th |
International economy |
Gain knowledge of the idea of protected and free trade, the balance of payments, exchange rates, the international currency system, etc.
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| 15th |
A comprehensive review and summary of economic globalization |
Learn about the history and current situation of economic globalization and regional economic integration. Gain knowledge of the North-South problems and global environmental issues, and consider what measures can be taken.
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| 16th |
Final exam |
Check students' understanding of what they learned in the second half of the second semester.
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| 2nd Semester |
| 3rd Quarter |
| 1st |
Politics and states (meaning of politics, elements of a state) |
Understands the concept of power and grasp an image of what is a nation and what is law.
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| 2nd |
Politics and law |
Think about what politics is and understand the idea of rule of law as the legitimacy of power.
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| 3rd |
Development of democratic politics (1) (principles and development) |
Acquire basic knowledge of natural rights concepts, social contract theory, and national sovereignty.
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| 4th |
Development of democratic politics (2) (basic principles of modern democratic politics, protection of basic human rights) |
Understand the rule of law. Understand that the protection of basic human rights is the principle of modern constitutions.
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| 5th |
Development of democratic politics (3) (separation of powers, political systems of different countries) |
Understand the purpose of the separation of powers. Learn about that parliamentary democracy is adopted in many countries and its types.
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| 6th |
The Constitution of Japan and democratic politics (1) (concept and history of the Constitution) |
Understand the thoughts of constitutional politics. Understand the nature of modern Constitutions, using the old and new Japanese constitutions as an example.
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| 7th |
The Constitution of Japan and democratic politics (2) (protection of basic human rights) |
Understand the fundamental right of freedom.
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| 8th |
Midterm exam |
Check students' understanding of what they learned in the first half of the second semester.
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| 4th Quarter |
| 9th |
The Constitution of Japan and democratic politics (3) (governing organization, the political system of Japan, and the Diet) |
Acquire basic knowledge of the Diet, Cabinet and court systems. Understand the structure and authority of the Diet, the superior house, privileges of the Diet members, etc.
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| 10th |
The Constitution of Japan and democratic politics (4) (participation of the people in the judicial affairs, mechanism of local autonomy, and participation of residents) |
Understand the mechanisms for independence of judicial rights and fair trials. Understand the purpose of local autonomy and the functions of direct democracy.
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| 11th |
Elections (election system and problems in election campaigns) |
Understand how the election system and the intentions of electorates are reflected in modern politics.
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| 12th |
Pacifism and Japan's security |
Understand the history of Japan's foreign policy before and after, and understand the current challenges of Japanese diplomacy.
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| 13th |
Formation and development of international society (League of Nations - United Nations) |
Recognize in the chronological order the enactment of international law, international judicial bodies, and international movements in human rights protection.
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| 14th |
Trends in international politics (1) (race, ethnic issues, conflict, disarmament) |
Gain knowledge of the progress and end of the Cold War, the history of disarmament, and the international situation after the Cold War, and understand current situations such as regional conflicts.
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| 15th |
Trends in international politics (2) (Thinking about the territorial disputes of Japan) |
Think about Japan's diplomatic issues, using the territorial disputes as an example.
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| 16th |
Final exam |
Check students' understanding of what they learned in the second half of the second semester.
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