Master’s (Doctoral) Programs in Global Studies

Exploring Critical Global-Local Issues from Tokyo

The Graduate Program in Global Studies emphasizes inquiry into global processes in the contemporary world and their historical antecedents. Its English-taught curriculum combines the perspectives and methods of academic disciplines with cross-cultural understandings of Japan and other world regions. Through mentoring and coursework, students master the skills to conduct research on topics tailored to their individual academic interests and career goals.

The thirty-two faculty members have advanced degrees from leading universities and are internationally active researchers. The curriculum is supported by affiliated professors from other graduate programs in the university as well as adjunct professors. These instructors represent over a dozen nationalities, ensuring a diversity of viewpoints and experiences.

Each semester up to fifteen applicants are admitted to the MA degree programs and one or two applicants admitted to pursue a Ph.D.degree. The student body consists of international students and Japanese nationals with varied cultural backgrounds. Additionally, a few students are admitted each year as MEXT (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports and Science Technology) research students, with the expectation that they will apply for the MA or Ph.D. degree programs. The small number of students encourages close student-faculty interaction.

Curriculum

Five degrees are offered. The M.A. and Ph.D. in Global Studies focus on the study of global issues from social science and humanities perspectives. Courses and student research cross disciplines and include topics such as Japanese politics, climate change, international relations, democracy and media, human rights, religion, racial discrimination, health, gender, sexuality, emotions, and food studies. The M.A. in International Business and Development Studies emphasizes the acquisition of analytical skills to deal with a range of contemporary global business and development problems, with a strong focus on Japan and Asia. The M.A. and Ph.D in Japanese Studies offer an integrated and interdisciplinary approach to the study of both historical and contemporary aspects of Japanese history, literature, religion, art history, society, and culture.

After completing the MA degree, students find employment in a wide range of fields inside and outside of Japan, including public and private sectors, academic institutions, and non-profit organizations.

The master’s degree has two tracks each having different graduation requirements. Students in the thesis track write a research thesis while those in the credit track complete a graduation project. The selection of the track takes place after a student matriculates in the program. Those who seek to enter the thesis track need to apply for it, typically at the start of the second semester, with entry contingent upon academic performance, availability of a mentor for the proposed topic, and successful defense of a thesis proposal.

The program’s small scale, and the broad experience and research interests of faculty members enable flexible course selection. In consultation with faculty members, students select courses designed to meet their individual interests and to further acquisition of specialized knowledge in their chosen fields.

Granted Degree

  • Master’s Program:
    MASTER OF ARTS IN JAPANESE STUDIES
    MASTER OF ARTS IN INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS AND DEVEROPMENT STUDIES
    MASTER OF ARTS IN GLOBAL STUDIES
  • Doctoral Program:
    DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN GLOBAL STUDIES
    DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN JAPANESE STUDIES

Program Features

Japanese language courses

While English is the language of instruction, graduate students may take advantage of the Japanese language courses offered through the undergraduate program as well as two advanced Japanese courses taught within the GPGS. Graduate students with a sufficient level of Japanese language proficiency as determined by a language placement examination may also take courses offered in Japanese elsewhere in the university as part of their studies.

A wide variety of research materials and connections

Students have access to the university library system, which contains more than one million volumes and 11,000 periodicals. The library has an especially rich collection of English-language books and journals related to the study of Japan. Digital resources include extensive databases and e-journals. Holdings from other universities can be obtained through inter-library loan, while the university’s location in central Tokyo provides easy access to the National Diet Library and other institutions.

Students have access to research opportunities inside and outside the GPGS. Graduate students may work as research assistants on faculty-led project. Student-run research groups host academic events supported directly by the GPGS. In addition, the Graduate School of Global Studies (GSGS), of which the GPGS is a part, provides support for students to host symposiums, publish articles or work as GSGS research assistants. Students may also participate in events spponsored by the Sophia University Institute of Comparative Culture. The Institute’s lecture series features leading scholars from around the world. It also sponsors research projects such as “Feminism and Female Empowerment in the 21st-Century Academy” and the“Global Japanese Cuisine Project”. These activities are an opportunity for graduate students and faculty members to come together in fruitful exchanges.

Excellent support system

The program has its own computer facilities and provides students with on-campus lockers and space for storing materials. Graduate students can also use the university computing facilities, cafeterias, athletic facilities, and medical and counseling centers. University dormitories are available off-campus.

Selected Thesis Topics of Students

Master’s Thesis

Global Studies

  • The Generational Divide of Climate Change: Defining and Describing the “Grownups”
  • Between Two Worlds: Acculturation Strategies and Religious Identity of Second-generation Muslim Adolescents in Japan
  • Analysis of convictions regarding inequality by the British prime ministers Thatcher, Blair, and Cameron
  • Conflicted Narratives from Participants in the Black Lives Matter 2020 Surge in Japan

International Business and Development Studies

  • Conceptualizing the Gaps in the Sustainable Food Supply Chains: An Analysis of the Banana Supply Chain
  • What are the Factors Hindering and Supporting Japanese Companies Investing in Vietnam?: A Study of Employees Working for Japanese Companies with Investment in Vietnam

Japanese Studies

  • Strife to Survive: A Comparative Study on Dagong Bao (Ta Kung Pao)’s Editorials and Political Commentaries, 1931-1932
  • Japan’s Soft power, Vietnamese Students’ Consumption of Japanese Popular Cuture and Their Image of Japan

Doctoral Thesis

Global Studies

  • “Policy Experts and Contemporary “Ishin”: Going Beyond the Leadership Paradigm in Japanese Policymaking”(2021)
  • ACTORS AND PROCESSES OF INSTITUTIONAL CHANGE: A CASE STUDY OF CORPORATE GOVERNANCE PRACTICES IN BRAZIL(2020)
  • Take My Land: A Comparative Study of Global Automotive Industry, Greenfield FDI, and Mexican Communities(2020)

Japanese Studies

  • (Re)framing the Photograph: External Texts in 3.11 Documentary Film(2020)
  • Voices of the Desert and the Sea: Literature and the Environment in Abdel Rahman Munif’s (1933-2004) Cities of Salt (1984) and Ishimure Michiko’s (1927-2018) Paradise in the Sea of Sorrow (1969)(2022)

Educational Policies

Master’s Program

A. Global Studies

The Master’s Program in Global Studies, Global Studies sets standards for the skills and knowledge students will acquire as described below. Those who fulfill the requirements and have passed the thesis defense will receive the diploma.

  1. Acquisition of specialized knowledge and global cultural competencies.
  2. The master’s thesis or the graduation project is grammatically and linguistically correct, clear, concise, and written in the appropriate style. It clearly shows the setting of the research theme, and makes convincing conclusions based on appropriate research.
  3. Acquisition of concepts and methodologies for the study of global phenomena.
  4. To train students who can fully participate in global society and take leadership roles in international organizations, governments, NGOs, and media, educational institutions, and other organizations.

B. International Business and Development Studies

The Master’s Program in Global Studies, International Business and Development Studies sets standards for the skills and knowledge students will acquire as described below. Those who fulfill the requirements and have passed the thesis defense will receive the diploma.

  1. Acquisition of specialized knowledge and global cultural competencies.
  2. The master’s thesis or the graduation project is grammatically and linguistically correct, clear, concise, and written in the appropriate style. It clearly shows the setting of the research theme, and makes convincing conclusions based on appropriate research.
  3. Acquisition of analytic skills to deal with a broad range of contemporary global business and development problems, with strong focus on Japan and Asia.
  4. To train students to have a deep understanding of economic conditions in developed and developing countries and have specialized management capacities required in international organizations, governments, and businesses.

C. Japanese Studies

The Master’s Program in Global Studies, Japanese Studies sets standards for the skills and knowledge students will acquire as described below. Those who fulfill the requirements and have passed the thesis defense will receive the diploma.

  1. Acquisition of specialized knowledge and global cultural competencies.
  2. The master’s thesis or the graduation project is grammatically and linguistically correct, clear, concise, and written in the appropriate style. It clearly shows the setting of the research theme, and makes convincing conclusions based on appropriate research.
  3. Acquisition of an integrated and interdisciplinary understanding of Japanese history, literature, religion, art history, society, and culture.
  4. To train students to have the Japanese language competency and scholarly knowledge for positions in educational institutions and other organizations requiring specialized knowledge of Japan.

Doctoral Program

A. Global Studies

The Doctoral Program in Global Studies sets standards for the skills and knowledge students will acquire as described below. Those who fulfill the requirements and have passed the thesis defense will receive a diploma in the Global Studies.

  1. Acquisition of specialized knowledge for a professional career.
  2. The doctoral dissertation is grammatically and linguistically correct, clear, concise, and written in the appropriate style. It clearly shows the setting of the research topic, which is original and unique, and makes convincing conclusions based on a deep and appropriate research.
  3. Awarded on the basis of an original contribution in the area of Global Studies through mastery of relevant concepts and application of relevant methodologies.
  4. To train students with specialized knowledge of theories and methods in Global Studies who can assume academic positions in institutions of higher learning as well as positions in organizations requiring specialized understanding and analysis of global phenomena.

B. Japanese Studies

The Doctoral Program in Global Studies sets standards for the skills and knowledge students will acquire as described below. Those who fulfill the requirements and have passed the thesis defense will receive a diploma in the Japanese Studies.

  1. Acquisition of specialized knowledge for a professional career.
  2. The doctoral dissertation is grammatically and linguistically correct, clearly, concise, and written in the appropriate style. It clearly shows the setting of the research topic, which is original and unique, and makes convincing conclusions based on a deep and appropriate research.
  3. Awarded on the basis of an original contribution in the area of Japanese Studies through mastery of relevant concepts and application of relevant methodologies.
  4. To train students who have developed expertise in an area within Japanese Studies and who are capable of assuming academic positions in institutions of higher learning and pursuing innovative high-level research in their area of expertise.

Master’s Program

A. Global Studies

In accordance with the university diploma policy, the Graduate Program in Global Studies, Global Studies constructs a curriculum with courses aligned to the following purposes.

  1. To train global citizens who can function inEnglish and other languages in multinational and multicultural social contexts in using skills from Global Studies.
  2. Build a well-balanced curriculum that systematically combines lectures, exercises, and practical training through coursework and supervision in research work by the faculty members.
  3. Through close collaboration between faculty members and students, build a curriculum with a thesis track course and a credit track course that cultivate students’ research skills in their major field as well as outstanding abilities for occupations that require a high level of expertise.

B. International Business and Development Studies

In accordance with the university diploma policy, the Graduate Program in Global Studies, International Business and Development Studies constructs a curriculum with courses aligned to the following purposes.

  1. To train global citizens who can function in English and other languages in multinational and multicultural social contexts in using skills from International Business and Development Studies.
  2. Build a well-balanced curriculum that systematically combines lectures, exercises, and practical training through coursework and supervision in research work by the faculty members.
  3. Through close collaboration between faculty members and students, build a curriculum with a thesis track course and a credit track course that cultivate students’ research skills in their major field as well as outstanding abilities for occupations that require a high level of expertise.

C. Japanese Studies

In accordance with the university diploma policy, the Graduate Program in Global Studies, Japanese Studies constructs a curriculum with courses aligned to the following purposes.

  1. To train global citizens who can function in English and other languages in multinational and multicultural social contexts in using skills from Japanese Studies.
  2. Build a well-balanced curriculum that systematically combines lectures, exercises, and practical training through coursework and supervision in research work by the faculty members.
  3. Through close collaboration between faculty members and students, build a curriculum with a thesis track course and a credit track course that cultivate students’ research skills in their major field as well as outstanding abilities for occupations that require a high level of expertise.

Doctoral Program in Global Studies

A. Global Studies

In accordance with the university diploma policy, the Graduate Program in Global Studies constructs a curriculum with courses aligned to the following purposes.

  1. To train students who have developed expertise in a specific area and have the cultural competencies for a global career.
  2. Build a well-balanced curriculum that systematically combines lectures, exercises, and practical training through coursework and supervision in research work by the faculty members.
  3. To train students to acquire the knowledge and skills to independently carry out creative research related to global studies, and to become highly specialized professionals with sufficient knowledge and abilities.

B. Japanese Studies

In accordance with the university diploma policy, the Graduate Program in Global Studies constructs a curriculum with courses aligned to the following purposes.

  1. To train students who have developed expertise in a specific area and have the cultural competencies for a global career.
  2. Build a well-balanced curriculum that systematically combines lectures, exercises, and practical training through coursework and supervision in research work by the faculty members.
  3. To train students to acquire the knowledge and skills to independently carry out creative research related to Japanese studies, and to become highly specialized professionals with sufficient knowledge and abilities.

Master’s Program in Global Studies

The Graduate Program in Global Studies seeks students who are qualified as described below:

 

  1. M.A. in Global Studies: Those who possess excellent ability in English, relevant academic accomplishments, a sense of purpose, expository writing ability, and who are highly recommended by former research advisors and/or other mentors with whom they have worked for a significant qualification
  2. M.A. in International Business and Development Studies: Those who possess excellent ability in English, relevant academic accomplishments, sense of purpose, expository writing ability, and who are highly recommended by former research advisors and/or other mentors with whom they have worked for a significant qualification
  3. M.A. in Japanese Studies: Those who possess ability in English and Japanese, excellence in relevant academic accomplishments, sense of purpose, expository writing ability, and who are highly recommended by former research advisors and/or other mentors with whom they have worked for a significant qualification

Doctoral Program in Global Studies

The Graduate Program in Global Studies seeks students who are qualified as described below:

 

  1. Ph.D. in Global Studies: Those who possess advanced mastery of concepts, methodologies, and a substantive area in Global Studies
  2. Ph.D. in Japanese Studies: Those who possess advanced mastery of concepts, methodologies, and a substantive area in Japanese Studies

Faculty Members

Global Studies

Tadashi ANNO Professor

Research Areas International relations theory,sovereignty and nationalism,international security,Japan’s security policy,Russo-Japanese relations
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Tina BURRETT Professor

Research Areas Governance,leadership,democratization,political accountability,the role of the media in politics

Makiko DEGUCHI Professor

Research Areas Cultural psychology,prejudice and discrimination,ethnic minority psychology,social justice pedagogy,privilege studies
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James FARRER Professor

Research Areas Urban sociology,foodways and cuisine,sexuality,nightlife,skilled migration (expatriates)
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Takeshi ITO Professor

Research Areas Agrarian and environmental change; ecology,capitalism,the state; power,domination and resistance; Southeast Asia and Japan

Ilju KIM Assistant Professor

Research Areas Migration,citizenship and gender,skilled migration (IT industry),immigrant labor market participation,comparative research

Tatsuo MURAKAMI Associate Professor

Research Areas Theories of religion (modernity,colonialism,materiality),African Pentecostalism
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Koichi NAKANO Professor

Research Areas Japanese politics,comparative politics,New Right transformation,public protest and civic activism,party politics and policy change,bureaucracy and administrative reform.
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Kiyokazu OKITA Associate Professor

Research Areas Classical Sanskrit literature,Sanskrit poetry and poetics,medieval and early modern Bengali literature,intellectual traditions of South Asia,religious encounters of South Asia
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Yuka MINAGAWA Associate Professor

Research Areas Social demography,health and aging,socio-economic transition from communication in East Central Europe and the former Soviet Union

Takehiro WATANABE Associate Professor

Research Areas Cultural and social anthropology,modernity,critical theory,cultural history of mining,amateur poetry,environmentalism,underground economies

International Business and Development Studies

Akihito ASANO Associate Professor

Research Areas Applied microeconomic theory,economics education

Peter De MAEYER Associate Professor

Research Areas Consumer behavior,pricing and advertising
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Gabriel Fuentes CORDOBA Associate Professor

Research Areas Development economics,applied microeconomics,agricultural economics,economic systems
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Parissa HAGHIRIAN Professor

Research Areas Japanese market entry,knowledge transfer,intercultural communication,headquarter-subsidiary relations in Japanese multinational corporations,Japanese consumer behavior
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Takuya HASEBE Associate Professor

Research Areas Econometrics,labor economics,health economics,applied microeconomics
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Naoto ISAKA Professor

Research Areas Financial markets,Corporate finance
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Yacob KHOJASTEH Professor

Research Areas Operations management,supply chain management,business and management

Michiru SAKANE Associate Professor

Research Areas Macroeconomics,international finance

Junko UENISHI Associate Professor

Research Areas Financial accounting,international accounting,comparative accounting systems

Japanese Studies

Yen Yi CHAN Assistant Professor

Research Areas Art history,Buddhist art,Buddhist icons,Kofukuji,Images of Shaka,Relic warship,East Asian buddhist art exchange

Akiko FRISCHHUT Assistant Professor

Research Areas Metaphisics of time,consciousness,philosophy of food,aesthetics

Edward DROTT Associate Professor

Research Areas History of Japanese religion,religion and the body
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Bettina GRAMLICH-OKA Professor

Research Areas Japanese history,digital humanities,gender studies,material culture
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Christian HESS Associate Professor

Research Areas Modern Chinese history,urban history,Japanese imperialism and colonialism in China,the regional history of Northeast China,globalization and Chinese cities
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Hannah HOLTZMAN Assistant Professor

Research Areas Global cinema,film history,media theory,documentary,digital media,ecocinema,technology studies

Shion KONO Professor

Research Areas Comparative literature,modern Japanese literature
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Noriko MURAI Professor

Research Areas Modern art history(Japan),visual culture,gender studies

Sven SAALER Professor

Research Areas Japanese political history,history of Japanese foreign relations,politics of memory,history of Pan-Asianism
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David SLATER Professor

Research Areas Cultural anthropology; refugees and migrants,disaster and recovery,urban youth culture and consumption; ethnography,oral narrative,semiotics
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Matthew Carl STRECHER Professor

Research Areas Modern and contemporary Japanese literature,literary journalism,genre studies,mythology,global literature,postmodernism

Mathew THOMPSON Associate Professor

Research Areas Medieval and early modern Japanese literature

Angela YIU Professor

Research Areas Modern Japanese literature,literature and space,utopianism,modernism,postwar literature,and urban space
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