Department of Global Studies
Department Features
In the face of today’s whirlwind of informational exchange on a global scale, let us strive to achieve the free movement of goods, people, and money while protecting the uniqueness and individuality of each culture, tradition, and society. The Department of Global Studies is for students to cultivate this mindset and apply it to their career paths. Through a complex, multidimensional education, the program aims to provide a rich environment to attain both macro and micro perspectives on regional development, which fully equips motivated students with knowledge, discipline, morals, and intelligence to put their ideas into action and opens up the possibility of further discourse. It is our hope that our students will contribute to realizing a truly global, inclusive society in which they can live together with the people of the world.
The Department of Integrated Global Studies offers a degree program in English (Sophia Program for Sustainable Futures [SPSF]).
A leading force of global studies: Looking at the world with two different approaches to gain a solid grasp of global society.
Cultivating the internationality of students has been an important educational objective of Sophia University since its founding. With the honor of the name “Sophia—true wisdom,” our educational endeavor is solely focused on realizing our belief that true wisdom is a universal language in the strictest sense. The Global Studies that we have established at Sophia over time have finally come to fruition with the founding of the Faculty of Global Studies, which is the newest center of Global Studies.
- International Relations
International Politics
Civil Society & International Cooperation
- Regional Studies
Asian Studies
Middle-Eastern and African Studies
North American Studies* European Studies*
Latin American Studies* Russian and Eurasian Studies*
*This is a research course offered by the Faculty of Foreign Languages.
The department’s foremost goal is for students to acquire a multifaceted perspective of the world. To this end, we emphasize small-group exercises and independent research, with regional studies as the dual focus for thinking on a global scale, and provide open learning that invites students to the world of theory and practice of global studies. How does your life connect to the world? The Faculty of Global Studies is for students who wish to dig deeper into these questions and apply what they discover to their future.
Learning in the Faculty of Global Studies
Students in the Faculty of Global Studies start their educational journey with a comprehensive study of global studies, and from the second year, they study two areas of International Relations (International Politics, and Civil Society & International Cooperation) and two areas of Region Studies (Asian Studies and Middle-Eastern and African Studies), in accordance with their interests. In the third year, students choose one of these four areas as their major, participate in Seminar classes for each area (mandatory in the third year but elective in the fourth), and complete their studies by writing their graduation thesis in the fourth year. At the same time, students will choose one area as a minor from a different lineage than the one to which their chosen area belongs, and effectively combine that study with the major to complete their own global studies.
Curriculum
Effectively combining two specialized areas, International Relations, and Region Studies, the curriculum enables students to realize their own global studies goals.
After studying Global Studies comprehensively in the first year, students can choose either International Politics or Civil Society & International Cooperation as International Relations studies, or Asian Studies or Middle-Eastern and African Students take Region Studies (or other areas) in the second year to acquire a multidisciplinary perspective, as the course aims to provide students with a chance to acquire a multifaceted perspective. We also emphasize courses that require students to work independently, such as the first-year Basic Seminar in Global Studies, the third-year Seminar, and independent research in the second and fourth years, as well as foreign language acquisition.
as of 2022
*Please refer to the syllabus for more information on the subjects
*Major areas of study will be finalized according to the Seminar choice. Because there is a limit to the number of places available in the Seminar program, not all students can be placed in their first choice of Seminar program. As a result, the major and minor areas may differ from the desired area.
What to aim for, what to learn. Integrated Global Studies Course Model
1) Seeking a career in a trading company
Having a deep interest in international politics surrounding energy resource issues, a student took courses focusing on international political theory. By studying the relationship between China as a rising global player and the Middle-East and Africa as resource-rich areas, the theme of the student’s graduation thesis was “China’s Measures Against Africa: Focusing on Energy Strategies.” The student made the most of this interest and knowledge to work for a trading company involved in the resource development business.
2) Seeking a career in an NGO
A student focused on Asian Studies courses to learn about the history, culture, and society of Southeast Asia. Having an interest in poverty issues in Cambodia, the student took Civil Society & International Cooperation as a minor area to study theories and approaches to development and poverty issues. For the graduation thesis, the theme was “Tourism and the Poor in Cambodia.” The student now works for an international NGO to address poverty issues from the locals’ perspective.
Course Examples
- Introduction to Global Studies
This is a new integrated academic field that combines the global perspective of international relations theory with the local perspective of area studies so that students can acquire knowledge and understanding of world issues, in order to comprehend the globalizing world. As an introduction to the course, students will study various issues from the perspectives of international relations, political science, economics, sociology, history, anthropology, region studies, Asian studies, and Middle-Eastern and African studies.
- Freshman Seminar
In small classes of about 10 people, students familiarize themselves with university educational methods, which differ greatly from those of high school. With all five senses and bodies to read, think, search for materials, gather materials, discuss, and write, students confirm their interests, identify themes, and acquire the necessary knowledge-acquisition techniques (skills and methods). This becomes a roadmap for them to pursue independent and autonomous research after the second year.
- Independent studies
Students will study various issues in global society based on their own set of tasks and plans. With the guidance of the faculty member in charge, students will conduct fieldwork, internships, volunteer work, and literature research, and submit a final product. This is a subject unique to the Faculty of Global Studies, which emphasizes independence, free thinking, and a spirit of challenge.
- Seminars, graduation thesis, etc.
Both the third-year Seminar and the fourth-year graduation thesis are required, and in principle are taught by the same faculty member. Through Seminars and literature studies, students deepen their research by discussing the themes with other students and faculty and produce a graduation thesis as the culmination of their four years of study. The themes of past students’ graduation theses are available on the department’s website.
Available Teaching Licenses and Subjects
- Junior high school teacher (social studies)
- High school teacher (civics)
Curatorial courses are available.
Educational Objectives and Policies
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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-】
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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
Faculty Members
International Politics
Kazutoshi SUZUKI Professor
Yasuko TSURU Professor
Shino WATANABE Professor
Civil Society and International Cooperation
Nanako INABA Professor
Masatsugu SHIMOKAWA Professor
Ryo TAKASHIMA Professor
Hideki MARUYAMA Professor
Tobias WEISS Associate Professor
Asian Studies
Hiroko KUSHIMOTO Associate Professor
Hyangsuk KWON Associate Professor
Chie SAKURADA Assistant Professor
Middle Eastern and African Studies
Fumiko SAWAE Professor
Momoka MAKI Professor
Akihiko YAMAGUCHI Professor
Mikako TODA Associate Professor