(1) Possess international qualities as an engineer who is active in the world.
(2) Understand the current international situation that is in flux.
(3) Understand and consider the future of the 21st century and the new international society.
(4) Understand and explain the concepts of race and nation.
(5) Understand the fundamentals of cross-border societies.
(6) Be able to delve deeply into issues of interest through the study of the international oneself, carry out research, including fieldwork, and prepare presentations and papers based on the results.
(7) Be able to engage in discussions on various global issues.
Outline:
This course is designed to introduce students to various issues in the global society, and after understanding the basic concepts of social science and international sociology, students will select a topic related to international society and independently research, present, and discuss the topic. The objective is for students to acquire the knowledge of global issues necessary for engineers and researchers, and to actively cultivate their own future-oriented thinking about various issues and their ability to approach society.
Style:
Textbooks and reference books will be used, but the class will also focus on presentations on various global issues that arise from time to time. After the lecture on international social issues, each student will choose a theme based on the textbook or reference book in which he/she is interested, delve deeply into it, and conduct research, including fieldwork and surveys (even online) if possible. Students are required to present the results of their research and ultimately write a thesis. In the presentation, students will be evaluated on their own research as well as their interpretations of the textbook and class discourse, so preparation for reading the respective books is required.
Notice:
The total amount of study time for this course is equivalent to 90 hours, which is the sum of the study time guaranteed in class, preparation, and review, and the standard self-study time required to prepare the presentation and the assigned paper. Global Studies is a discipline that is constantly changing according to social conditions. Students are expected to approach class with a daily interest in current affairs. Each presenter is required to prepare a resume for his/her topic, and the audience will be graded on the questions they ask in response to the presentation. Therefore, please be sure to read the relevant sections of the textbook for each presentation. Proactive participation is essential.
Absences not counted toward passing (percentage): 1/3 or more of the total number of absences
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Theme |
Goals |
| 1st Semester |
| 1st Quarter |
| 1st |
What is Global Studies?
How international societies are created and why we need a theory of international relations. |
To fully understand the differences between the natural and social sciences, which are usually studied, and the international community.
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| 2nd |
MDGs and SDGs
Focuses on new ways of setting goals in the international community and considers international cooperation. |
Understand the new international sustainable development goals and the role of Japan in the industrial world.
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| 3rd |
Contemporary International Political Economy International Politics
Students will learn about economics and the actual international financial crisis and examine it in light of the market and legal system. |
Understand the basic mechanisms of international politics and the international economy, which are closely related to the industry.
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| 4th |
Security, International Cooperation, and National Interests
Students will learn about the transformation of the international community and the resocialization of the concept of security, and examine and discuss the relationship between the state and the international community. |
Understand the relationship between the state and the international community, and be able to articulate this understanding in their own discourse.
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| 5th |
International Sociology (Migration Issues and the EU) (1)
Each student will present a case study of immigration policy in the U.S. and various issues in the EU, and deepen their awareness of these issues through discussion and other means. |
Understand the current situation of immigration in the U.S. and Europe, and be able to formulate one's own opinions on the pros and cons of immigration policies.
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| 6th |
International Sociology (Migration Issues) (2)
Students will present various issues of immigration in the former Soviet Union, Germany, and the UK based on each case study. The discussion will be held on the problems and the way forward. |
Understand various problems occurring in various countries, including refugee issues, and be able to consider the relationship between the state and its people.
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| 7th |
Quizzes and assigned reports
To confirm the discourse in Global Studies and to test the understanding of various students on each of the issues. Provide guidance on the progress and content of the assigned reports related to each student's presentation. |
Understand the importance of knowing what each student is interested in in the international community and expressing it in writing.
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| 8th |
Issues in Asia (1)
Students will present on political, historical, and economic issues in East Asia (China, Taiwan, and the Korean Peninsula). Each student will also discuss and debate the geographical proximity and relationship with Japan. |
Understand geopolitical issues in East Asia, which is geographically close to Japan.
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| 2nd Quarter |
| 9th |
Issues in Asia (2)
Each student will present a paper on various issues in Southeast Asia and Oceania, including actual surveys. |
To understand Southeast Asia and Oceania in general, with which we have many academic exchanges.
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| 10th |
Issues in Asia (3)
To encourage consideration of international society from the perspective of Okinawa. The faculty will also report on field research conducted by the faculty on ethnic issues in South Asia and the current state of happiness surveys in Bhutan, the Land of Happiness, and consider national strategies. |
Understand the geopolitical role of Okinawa, a crossroads of civilizations. Understand geopolitical issues in South Asian countries, including Bhutan.
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| 11th |
Challenges to Development, Poverty, and Discrimination (1)
Each student will present in-depth case studies from Nepal, Thailand, and Cambodia and discuss the pros and cons of development. |
Understand that Japan has been actively involved in development in Southeast Asia and South Asia, including the reasons for this.
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| 12th |
Challenges to Development, Poverty, and Discrimination (2)
Recent examples of gender in South Asia, development in Africa and Latin America will be used to examine what international development should look like. We will also deepen our understanding of JICA, the actual Japanese government development organization. |
Understand that the elimination of poverty is one of the most urgent issues in the SDGs, and think about what each student can do as an industrialist to solve this problem.
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| 13th |
The 21st Century and the New International Society (1)
The latest discourses on globalization and its paradoxes will be presented and examined through presentations and discussions. |
Understand globalism, localism, and globalization, and have knowledge of specific corporate movements and social movements.
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| 14th |
The 21st Century and the New International Society (2)
The course will examine issues of terrorism in contemporary international society, based on an understanding of its dynamism. |
Able to understand the reality of international terrorism and the current situation. Understand what measures countries are taking to deter such terrorism.
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| 15th |
The 21st Century and the New International Society (iii)
The reality of environmentally conscious behavior will be learned from the current situation in environmentally advanced countries, and the relationship between industrial people and the environmental issues surrounding them internationally will be examined. |
Understand the various discourses on global studies that have been presented. To be able to have an opinion on how to deal with international issues as an industrialist.
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| 16th |
Final Examination |
A final exam and a final report will be required.
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