Course Objectives
1. Accurately understand the basic facts about politics.
2. Objectively understand the role of politics in addressing the challenges and issues that changes over time.
3. Develop the ability to objectively examine not only what has happened in Japan but also it’s position in the international community, the roles and responsibilities expected of Japan, and the roles and challenges it has undertaken.
Rubric
| Ideal Level | Standard Level | Unacceptable Level |
| Achievement 1 | Thoroughly understand the basic knowledge regarding politics. | Have basic knowledge regarding politics. | Do not have sufficient basic knowledge regarding politics. |
| Achievement 2 | Can objectively explain the roles that politics have been expected to play in order to address its issues and problems. | Can understand the roles that politics have been expected to play in order to address its issues and problems. | Do not have sufficient understanding of the roles that politics have been expected to play in order to address issues and problems. |
| Achievement 3 | Attempting to contemplate and understand the historical and social circumstances surrounding individuals, while endeavoring to form one's own thoughts. | Recognizing the presence of historical and social circumstances surrounding individuals, and deepening one's own thoughts. | Cannot recognize the existence of historical and social circumstances surrounding individuals. |
Assigned Department Objectives
Teaching Method
Outline:
In this course, we will deepen our understanding of what politics (political science) entails from a broad perspective, including fields such as economics, society, culture, and the international environment. Furthermore, by examining how politics has addressed the challenges and issues that change with the times, we will consider contemplate who acts under what institutions and what actions they take.
Style:
The lectures primarily utilize handouts and whiteboard notes, but to make the class interactive, active participation and independent thinking are encouraged from the students.
Notice:
In this course, we systematically explain the concepts of political science, but depending on the students' understanding, we may adjust the themes and the order in which they are covered in each lectureclass.
Students who miss 1/3 or more of classes lectures will not be eligible for evaluation.
Characteristics of Class / Division in Learning
Course Plan
|
|
|
Theme |
Goals |
| 1st Semester |
| 1st Quarter |
| 1st |
Guidance: What is Politics? |
Learn about the relationship between politics and power. Formulate your own opinion on the question: What is politics?
|
| 2nd |
Introduction to Political Science |
Understand the theories and institutions in political science, and explore the relationship between theory and reality.
|
| 3rd |
The Birth and Evolution of Modern Nation-States |
Understand the transition from Night-watchman State to Welfare State and its background.
|
| 4th |
Political System and Political Dynamics |
Learn about how various political systems have been constructed throughout the world.
|
| 5th |
Organization of Government① |
Understand the functions and roles of the legislative and judicial branches. Also, learn about the challenges each of them faces.
|
| 6th |
Organization of Government②
Local autonomy |
Understand the powers and organization of the cabinet, which oversees the executive branch. Learn about the essence of local governance and its recent developments.
|
| 7th |
Bureaucracy |
Examine the roles expected from a bureaucracy and the challenges it faces.
|
| 8th |
Review of the first half of the first semester (1st Q) |
Review the content from weeks 1-7.
|
| 2nd Quarter |
| 9th |
Party system
Interest groups/pressure groups |
Learn about the historical development of party politics. In addition, students will understand the modern roles and challenges of political parties, interest groups, and pressure groups as organizations that participate in politics.
|
| 10th |
Elections
Voting Behavior and Political Participation |
Understand the role of elections in democratic politics. Also, contemplate the various forms of political participation.
|
| 11th |
Policy Making and its Process |
Consider how and when political decisions are made.
|
| 12th |
Political Consciousness and Public Opinion |
Reflect on what drives politics. Also, understand the significant influence of the media.
|
| 13th |
Postwar Politics in Japan① |
Understand Japan's positioning after World War II, what was expected as a result, and the policies that have been implemented accordingly.
|
| 14th |
Postwar Politics in Japan② |
Consider the concept of the "1955 System". Additionally, understand Japan's journey to becoming an economic powerhouse, considering both domestic and international factors comprehensively.
|
| 15th |
Postwar Politics in Japan③ |
Understand the impact of changes such as the end of the Cold War, the collapse of the "1955 System," and the bursting of the economic bubble on Japanese politics. Additionally, comprehend the societal shifts that followed and contemplate the challenges and issues Japan is currently facing.
|
| 16th |
Final exam |
Take a written exam.
|
Evaluation Method and Weight (%)
| Examination | Presentation | Mutual Evaluations between students | Behavior | Portfolio | Other | Total |
| Subtotal | 40 | 30 | 20 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 100 |
| Basic Proficiency | 40 | 30 | 20 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 100 |
| Specialized Proficiency | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Cross Area Proficiency | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |