Concentrations
Study your specialty in a research course
Through systematic specialized research, students will develop problem-identification and problem-solving skills, and acquire a deep understanding of various regions of the world and the ability to think from multiple perspectives.
Students in the Faculty of Foreign Studies select and register for one of nine Concentration Courses and earn a Second Major or Minor. The Second Major involves systematic study and research in a certain region or field of study through a series of courses, and requires the writing of a graduation thesis. In the Minor program, students can take courses according to their own plans based on a variety of interests.
- Introductory Courses
There are Course-Common Introductory Courses offered by the Faculty of Foreign Studies and Introductory Courses offered by each concentration. In this stage, students mainly learn the methodology of an academic field such as linguistics, history, political science, or sociology; research techniques such as how to conduct surveys and write papers; and broad basic knowledge about various regions of the world in their first and second years of study.
- Core Courses
Based on the methodology and basic knowledge cultivated in the Introduction stage, students take more specialized courses offered by each research course in the Core Course stage. Students deepen their knowledge through diverse studies and cultivate a multifaceted perspective that focuses on their own issues from various perspectives. These courses are mainly taken in the second through fourth years.
- Seminar Courses
This is the stage where students pursue their own research themes and express what they have learned in their own words. It is a place where students present what they have learned and researched through literature, and engage in friendly competition. Faculty members with abundant experience in specialized research support the students as their companions. We hope you will experience the joy of creating the work of art known as a graduation thesis/graduation research.
Courses listed in Introduction, Core, and Seminar are examples.
*Courses 6 to 9 consist mainly of classes offered by the Faculty of Global Studies. The seminar courses offered by the Faculty of Global Studies have a limit on the number of students who can attend.
Course 1: North American Studies
The United States and Canada are the countries in focus, and research is conducted in a variety of academic fields, including history, psychology, political science, economics, and sociology. Courses on Mexico and the Asia-Pacific region, which are closely related to North America, are also offered, with the aim of building a comprehensive intellect that is not limited to one academic field or country.
- Introductory Courses
North American Studies A
North American Studies B
- Core Courses
US Politics and Foreign Relations
Topics in American History
American Women’s History
History of Japanese Immigration
- Seminar Courses
North American History
North American Studies
Globalization and Migration
Course 2: European Studies
Europe encompasses a diverse range of peoples, languages, religions, and cultures. In the European Studies course, students will study and research various events in Europe as a whole, specific countries and sub-regions within the region, and issues related to the European Union from a bird’s-eye viewpoint, without being bound by national or border frameworks.
- Introductory Courses
Overview of European History
Language and Religion in Europe
Art & Culture in Europe
Introduction to European Politics and Economy
- Core Courses
European Cinema
European Society and Language
Studies in the Modern History of France
Modern Portuguese Studies
- Seminar Courses
Seminar (British Culture)
Seminar (European Politics)
Seminar (Studies in French and Japanese Society)
Seminar (Spanish Art)
Course 3: Latin American Studies
Latin America is a region of unparalleled diversity in the world. In addition to indigenous cultures, it is a mixture of cultures from almost every region of Europe, Africa, and Asia. This program delves deeply into the past and present of a region that is important to Japan because of its unique culture and abundant natural resources.
- Introductory Courses
Introduction to Latin America Area Studies
Introduction to Spanish American History*
History of Brazil
Contemporary Latin America*
- Core Courses
History and Society of Latin American Indigenous Peoples*
Brazilian Politics
Introduction to the Latin American Economy*
Afro-Brazilian Studies
- Seminar Courses
Seminar (Brazilian Political Economy)
Seminar (Latin American Society)*
Seminar (Pop-Culture Research)
Seminar (Brazilians in Japan: Education and Social Conditions)
Course 4: Russian and Eurasian Studies
The Russian and Eurasian Studies Course, which offers a specialized and comprehensive study of Russia and Eurasia, fosters excellent practitioners and experts who, based on advanced Russian language skills, are well versed in the history, politics, economy, society, and culture of Russia and other former Soviet regions, and who can build relations between Japan and those regions themselves.
- Introductory Courses
Introduction to Russian and Eurasian Studies
Introduction to Russian and Eurasian Culture
- Core Courses
Russian Politics
The Economy of Russia and Eurasia
Russian Art
International Relations in the Euro-Asian Region
Russian History
- Seminar Courses
Seminar (Russian Politics)
Seminar (Russian Economy)
Seminar (Russian Culture and Literature)
Seminar (Russian Language)
Course 5: Linguistics
Through scientific research on the linguistic abilities that are unique to human beings, we will explore the essence of the human spirit and deepen our understanding of the universality and diversity of language through empirical research on the Japanese language and other foreign languages. We also examine the functions and roles of language in various human activities such as society, history, culture, and education.
- Introductory Courses
Introduction to Linguistics
Introduction to Japanese Linguistics
Introduction to Applied Linguistics
Introduction to the Study of Language
- Core Courses
Syntax
Japanese Teaching Methods
Introduction to Speech Pathology
Translation- Theory & Practice
Sociolinguistics
- Seminar Courses
Seminar (Phonetics & Phonology)
Seminar (Japanese Linguistics)
Seminar (Foreign Language Teaching & Research)
Seminar (Speech Pathology)
Applied Linguistics
Course 6: Asian Studies
To deepen intellectual interest and involvement in Asia, a region familiar to us all, students will study the history, culture, society, and religion of the people living there. The study will mainly be about Southeast Asia, South Asia, and the Asia-Pacific region, while linking area studies and global studies, as well as acquiring methodologies.
- Introductory Courses
Global History
Basics of Southeast Asian Studies
Basics of South Asian Studies
Basics of East Asian Studies
- Core Courses
Korean Society and Culture
Islam and Society in Southeast Asia
Society and Politics in South Asia
Human Rights Issues in Asia
- Seminar Courses
Seminar (Asian Studies)
Globalization and Migration
Course 7: Middle-Eastern and African Studies
The Middle East and Africa not only have deep ties with Japan but also with Islam, one of the most influential religions, which has various impacts on the world. Students will learn about the history, culture, society, and religion of both regions and acquire methodologies while linking localized area studies with global studies.
- Introductory Courses
Anthropology of Globalization
Globalization and Religion
Basics of Middle-Eastern Studies
Basics of African Studies
- Core Courses
Development Studies of Africa
Politics in the Middle East
Islam & Gender
Life and Culture in Africa
Society and Economy in Francophone Africa
- Seminar Courses
Seminar (Middle-Eastern & African Studies)
Seminar (North African Socio-Economy)
Seminar (Afro-Brazil Studies)
Seminar (Francophone History)
Course 8: International Politics
The politics of today’s international society is extremely complex. While security and economics are closely intertwined, international relations and domestic politics and economics also resonate on a daily basis. Through an in-depth and systematic study of the field of international politics, including the diplomacy of major countries such as Japan, the U.S., and China, students will cultivate the ability to understand the composition of international politics and the nature of problems existing within it.
- Introductory Courses
Introduction to International Relations
Basics of International Relations
Globalization and Politics
Peace Studies
- Core Courses
International Politics
Global Governance
Japanese Foreign Policy
Chinese Politics & Foreign Policy
- Seminar Courses
Seminar (American Government & Foreign Policy)
Seminar (UN & Conflict Resolution)
Seminar (Foreign Policy)
Seminar (History of International Politics)
Course 9: Civil Society and International Cooperation
Various problems are occurring on a global scale, such as poverty, inequality, social exclusion of minorities, conflicts, immigration and refugee issues, and environmental destruction. In this course, students will learn how to grasp the actual situation on the ground, learn how to think and act from the perspective of citizens, and develop the ability to work with the international community to solve global issues.
- Introductory Courses
International Cooperation through People’s Initiatives
Survey of Theories of Civil Society and International Cooperation
Globalization and Economics
Social Sciences of Globalization
- Core Courses
International Political Economy
Globalization and Civil Society
Globalization & Developing Economies
Special Lecture: Social Development of Brazil
- Seminar Courses
Seminar (International Cooperation)
Seminar (International Education Development)
Seminar (Development Economics)
Seminar (Global Civil Society)