Faculty of Global Studies

Learning at the Sophia Faculty of Global Studies | Learning Global Studies at Sophia University

About the Faculty of Global Studies

An Interdisciplinary Curriculum Integrating Global and Local Perspectives

The Faculty of Global Studies offers an interdisciplinary curriculum that bridges global and local perspectives. Students choose from four Areas of Study: International Politics and Civil Society and International Cooperation within the field of International Relations, and Asian Studies and Middle Eastern and African Studies within the field of Area Studies. Complementing these is a diverse range of Global Studies courses that integrate the perspectives and methodologies of both disciplines.

The curriculum also offers the flexibility to combine Major and Minor fields of study, allowing students to tailor their academic paths to their individual interests and aspirations. Throughout their studies, students benefit from the guidance of faculty members whose teaching is informed by extensive professional experience with international organizations, NGOs, and local communities around the world.

Learning Highlights

Understand the World through Both Global and Local Perspectives

Addressing today’s complex global challenges requires more than a single perspective. Students examine the world through the broad lens of International Relations, explore the realities of individual regions through Area Studies, and integrate these approaches through Global Studies.

By bringing these three perspectives together, students develop a multidimensional understanding of an increasingly interconnected world and acquire the analytical skills needed to examine global issues from both international and local contexts.

Tackle Global Challenges and Help Build an Inclusive World

Students develop the theoretical foundation and practical expertise needed to understand the complex challenges facing today’s international community and contribute to meaningful solutions. Through an interdisciplinary curriculum, they critically examine both the opportunities and the complexities of globalization while honing the analytical and practical skills needed to design innovative, sustainable, and inclusive responses.

By applying theories of international relations to diverse regional contexts, students learn to bridge academic knowledge and real-world practice. Equipped with analytical insight, intercultural understanding, and a strong sense of social responsibility, they graduate prepared to address pressing global issues and contribute to building a more peaceful, inclusive, and sustainable world.

Educating Globally Engaged Public Intellectuals

For more than a century, Sophia University has offered an educational environment that combines academic excellence, multilingual education, and extensive international opportunities. Drawing on this rich tradition, the Faculty of Global Studies equips students with advanced proficiency in English and regional languages while fostering a sophisticated understanding of the theories and perspectives needed to interpret today’s interconnected world.

Our faculty is committed to educating globally engaged public intellectuals— individuals who possess the knowledge, intercultural competence, and ethical commitment to contribute thoughtfully and responsibly to the international community.

Educational Objectives and Policies

: SPSF International Relations

To equip students, through systematic study of courses offered in the International Relations and Area Studies degree programs, with (1) understandings of globality, (2) understandings of locality, (3) proficiency in multiple languages (English and regional languages), and (4) negotiating skills grounded in ethical awareness.

SPSF Area Studies

To equip students, through systematic study of courses offered in the Area Studies and International Relations degree programs, with (1)understandings of globality, (2) understandings of locality, (3) proficiency in multiple languages(English and regional languages), and (4)negotiating skills grounded in ethical awareness.

: To produce graduates (international public intellectuals) capable of addressing both positive and negative facets of globalization, and contributing to the development of a collaborative society in which all people of the world move forward in partnership.

SPSF International Relations

The Faculty of Global Studies sets standards for the skills and knowledge that students who aim to become international public intellectuals seeking to achieve a fair society that protects human dignity in the globalizing world today. Those who fulfill the graduation requirements shall be deemed to have acquired these qualities and will be awarded a diploma.

An interest in social security, conflicts, poverty, development, immigrants, refugees, global environment, etc. and the ability to explain why such issues need to be solved globally.
The ability to understand the approaches and overall theory of International Relations Studies and Area Studies and consider issues from both perspectives combined.
The ability to shape problem-solving methodology analyze the positive and negative aspects of globalization in line with concrete case studies, using basic theories and demonstrative methods.
The ability to set up and explore subjects combined with Area Studies, while specializing in International Relations, dealing with International Politics, International Sociology, Economics, International Cooperation, International Education, etc.
The ability to engage in dialogue with various others who live in different parts of the world and to cooperate in solving problems for the creation of an inclusive society.

SPSF Area Studies

The Faculty of Global Studies sets standards for the skills and knowledge that students who aim to become international public intellectuals seeking to achieve a fair society that protects human dignity in the globalizing world today. Those who fulfill the graduation requirements shall be deemed to have acquired these qualities and will be awarded a diploma.

An interest in social security, conflicts, poverty, development, immigrants, refugees, global environment, etc. and the ability to explain why such issues need to be solved globally.
The ability to understand the approaches and overall theory of Area Studies and
International Relations studies and consider issues from both perspectives combined.
The ability to shape problem-solving methodology analyze the positive and negative aspects of globalization in line with concrete case studies, using basic theories and demonstrative methods.
The ability to set up and explore a subject combined with International Relations, while
specializing in Area Studies, studying a specific region (Asia and the Middle East/Africa) within an international society where globalization is accelerating.The ability to set up and explore a subject combined with International Relations, while specializing in Area Studies, studying a specific region (Asia and the Middle East/Africa) within an international society where globalization is accelerating.
The ability to engage in dialogue with various others who live in different parts of the world and to cooperate in solving problems for the creation of an inclusive society.

SPSF International Relations

In accordance with the Diploma Policy, the Department of Global Studies constructs its curriculum with courses aligned with the following purposes:

To have students study Global Studies and the basics of International Relations and Area Studies that support it in lectures, and thus acquire core theories and methodologies as well as fundamental research skills and approaches.【Course numbers 100-199】
To have students understand the dynamics of international politics and economy, and learn in lectures about the mechanism of international cooperation and civil society, and thus prepare for selecting their specialties【Course numbers 200-299】
To have students learn about Asia, the Middle East and Africa, etc. from the perspectives of history, culture, politics, economics, etc. in lectures and thus prepare for selecting their specialties.【Course numbers 200-299】
To have students select one area of International Relations -International Politics or Civil Society and International Cooperation -and one from Area Studies, including the two branches, Asia and Middle East and Africa, and have them conceptualize and implement solutions to global issues through lectures, etc.【Lecture Course numbers 300-499】
To have students actively set up individual research questions regarding globalization issues and present relevant research results in academic papers and other clear forms.【Self-motivated research: 200-299; Seminars: 400-499; Thesis and research: 400-499】
To have students acquire a supportive attitude toward the theme-based research of other individuals through small-group seminars where they can deepen mutual understanding through debate.【Basic Seminar numbers 100-199; Seminars 400-499】
To have students enhance their proficiency of English, the language commonly spoken internationally, by taking English-taught courses, as well as to acquire multilingual skills by encouraging them to learn foreign languages other than English.【Lecture Course number 200-】

SPSF Area Studies

In accordance with the Diploma Policy, the Department of Global Studies constructs its curriculum with courses aligned with the following purposes:

To have students study Global Studies and the basics of Area Studies and International Relations that support it in lectures, and thus acquire core theories and methodologies as well as fundamental research skills and approaches.【Course numbers 100-199】
To have students learn about Asia, the Middle East and Africa, etc. from the perspectives of history, culture, politics, economics, etc. in lectures and thus prepare for selecting their specialties.【Course numbers 200-299】
To have students understand the dynamics of international politics and economy, and learn in lectures about the mechanism of international cooperation and civil society, and thus prepare for selecting their specialties.【Course numbers 200-299】
To have students select two areas from Area Studies and International Relations Studies as their disciplinary specialties and have them conceptualize and implement solutions to global issues through lectures, etc.【Lecture Course numbers 300-499】
To have students actively set up individual research questions regarding globalization issues and present relevant research results in academic papers and other clear forms.【Self-motivated research: 200-299; Seminars: 400-499; Thesis and research: 400-499】
To have students acquire a supportive attitude toward the theme-based research of other individuals through small-group seminars where they can deepen mutual understanding through debate.【Basic Seminar numbers 100-199; Seminars 400-499】
To have students enhance their proficiency of English, the language commonly spoken internationally, by taking English-taught courses, as well as to acquire multilingual skills by encouraging them to learn foreign languages other than English.【Lecture Course number 200-】

The Faculty of Global Studies welcomes students who will engage in proactive efforts to build on their intellectual interests and motivation, and endeavor to contribute to the creation of a global inclusive society, as described below:

Those highly interested in the positive and negative dimensions of a globalizing world and have acquired a certain level of knowledge in high school classes associated with Modern Society.
Those highly interested in the richness of human society and culture created by the diversity of regions and people constituting the world who have acquired a certain level of knowledge in high school classes associated with Geography and World History
Those who can approach matters with evidence-based logical thinking and who have made continued efforts to address matters independently
Those who bear the English skills to read and comprehend the basic literature required to understand globalization trends

Department

Department of Global Studies

By combining studies in International Relations and Area Studies, students will gain a more three-dimensional understanding of the world and aim to solve global issues from both global and local perspectives.

Details

SPSF (Sophia Program for Sustainable Futures)

Faculty of Global Studies：
SPSF Department of Global Studies

Sophia Program for Sustainable Futures（SPSF）

This program enables students to study common subjects on the theme of Sustainable Futures while taking a specialized field of study, and to obtain a degree only in English. Each student can deepen his or her learning from various perspectives with a firm professional footing specialized for realizing a “sustainable future.”

Details