Kanazawa University School of International Studies website.Kanazawa University School of International Studies website.

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International Relations and International Cooperation Domain

In order to respond to new challenges in the age of globalization, the School of International Studies aims to develop internationally minded people who understand the political and economic mechanisms of international relations and who are able to explore the path to international cooperation.

There are four programs available based on varying approaches. These are: International Politics (in Japanese), International Politics (in English), International Economics (in Japanese), and International Economics (in English).

International Politics Program

Students will systematically study this increasingly globalized international society that we live in from various perspectives such as politics, law, history, and culture. By considering the relationships between different societies, organizations, and people, as well as the influence of various global issues, we aim to nurture graduates who can play an active role in the world, both domestically and internationally.

Philosophical and Educational goals of the program

Students will learn about the political systems within the international community and between the world’s states, as well as their relationship to more local politics and institutions. The program also analyses the goals and policies of international organizations as well as states. In addition, the program aims to encourage students to consider from a global perspective the problems of the international community. It also aims to approach global issues from the perspectives of various fields such as political science, sociology, and history.

Program content and schedule
The First Year An Introduction to International Studies (in English), General Education subjects, and Japanese Culture (in English)
The Second, Third, and Fourth Years Graduation Thesis research, A History of International Politics, In-depth study of specific subjects, International Relations Theory, Language Training Overseas, Research Guidance, Specialized Education subjects such as Comparative Politics, and Studying Abroad
Available qualifications

1) Bachelor of International Studies

2) Junior High School Teacher’s License (for Japanese, English, and/or Social Studies, English)

3) Senior High School Teacher’s License (for Civics, English, and / or Japanese)

4) Japanese Education (Major)

How the program system and its courses work

In the first and second semester of the first year, students take “An Introduction to International Studies” and “Japanese Culture” courses (which include classes taught in English). These are general subjects in the School of International Studies. By taking these courses, students can acquire some of the skills needed to proceed to more specialized subjects in the School.

When entering the second year, students choose multiple programs, mainly taking specialized subjects such as English Communication, International Relations, and International Co-operation, in order to broaden their understanding of the international community.

If you decide to major in the International Politics program when entering the third year, you should take applied courses in this program to deepen your understanding of your area of interest. At the same time, you should participate in research seminars. By continuing to study a specific field under the supervision of an academic advisor, students deepen their specialized understanding and develop the skills necessary for research.

Students decide on the theme of their graduation thesis in consultation with their academic advisors, and complete their studies within the International Politics program by writing a thesis. In addition, overseas language training and short-term study abroad programs can be treated as specific subjects in this program.

Courses that characterize the program
“Comparative Politics” Students analyze the political systems, politics, economic development, etc. of five democratic countries (the UK, France, Germany, Japan, and the United States), and evaluate their peculiarities and commonalities.
“International Communication Theory” Students acquire information literacy, analyze global issues and topics, and work to reconstruct the world from the standpoint of international communication theory.
“International Relations Theory” Students learn theories and concepts for understanding international politics, and apply them when studying topics in order to deepen their consideration of modern and contemporary international issues.
“Theory of International Organizations” This course examines the roles of the United Nations and international institutions, focusing on the question of whether international organizations can play a central role in coordinating international relationships and in fostering order and stability in the international community.
Specialized Subjects within the Program
A Message from a Faculty Member
Professor Ryoko Nakano (Specialist subjects: International Relations and International Organizations).

I have always liked foreign dramas, and by experiencing communication and speeches in English, I began to want to understand the social and political contexts behind people’s speech. If you like English and want to study international issues, or if you want to help a society suffering from poverty or conflict, I think any kind of entry point would be fine [I DON’T UNDERSTAND WHAT THIS MEANING]. As you study international issues in more detail, please consider your own contexts and perspectives in relation to the wider world.

International Economics Program

Students learn about international society from an economic perspective. They also learn how they can contribute to playing an active role on a global stage. In the International Economics program, students will address various issues from an economics perspective, and cultivate the basic skills needed to be active in the fields of business and international cooperation.

Philosophical and Educational goals of the program

Students will study topics such as international trade, international finance, international and business, as well as the disparities between developed and developing countries. Students will also examine issues like sustainable development, and analyze governmental policies, the strategies of global companies, and people’s spending behavior. Based on international economics and development economics, we aim to nurture students who can analyze global economic issues from both macro and micro perspectives, and who can incorporate knowledge from fields such as political science, sociology, history, and business administration.

Program content and schedule
The First Year An Introduction to International Studies (in English), General Education subjects, and Japanese Culture (in English)
The Second, Third, and Fourth Years Graduation Thesis research, In-depth study of specific subjects, International Relations Theory, Language Training Overseas, Research Guidance, Specialized Education subjects such as International Development Theory, International Management Theory, and International Trade Theory, and Studying Abroad.
Available qualifications

1) Bachelor of International Studies

2) Junior High School Teacher’s License (for Japanese, English, and/or Social Studies, English)

3) Senior High School Teacher’s License (for Civics, English, and / or Japanese)

4) Japanese Education (Major)

How the program system and its courses work

In the first and second semester of the first year, students take “An Introduction to International Studies” and “Japanese Culture” courses (which include classes taught in English). These are general subjects in the School of International Studies. By taking these courses, students can acquire some of the skills needed to proceed to more specialized subjects in the School.

When entering the second year, students choose multiple programs, mainly taking specialized subjects within the International Economics program, in order to broaden their understanding of global economics.

In the third year, students can register for a minor program along with their major program. In the fourth year, students decide on the theme of their graduation thesis in consultation with their academic advisors, and complete their studies within the International Economics program by writing a thesis. In addition, overseas language training and short-term study abroad programs can be treated as specific subjects in this program.

Courses that characterize the program
“International Development Theory” In this course, students enhance their knowledge of various problems in countries that are still suffering from poverty, and also consider the question of what “development” means and what it should be.
“International Economics” Students analyze theories of international financial markets, and consider the effects of exchange rate stabilization, public finance, and monetary policy in the era of globalization.
“International Relations Theory” Students learn theories and concepts for understanding international politics, and apply them when studying topics in order to deepen their consideration of modern and contemporary international issues.
“International Trade Theory” Students will study a theory that tries to explain the mechanisms and dynamics of international trade, and deepen their understanding of such contemporary international economic issues as trade policy and industrial policy.
Specialized Subjects within the Program
A Message from a Faculty Member
Professor Atsuyuki Kato (Specialist subjects: International Economics, Economics in East Asia).

Through my research of the economies of Japan and East Asia, I have learned that these countries are linked by an indivisible network of trade and that they play an important role in the global economic system. Seeing the world from an economic perspective is about how our daily lives relate to the rest of the world, or how we solve international problems such as trade wars, environmental problems, and so on. It is also to think about what possibilities lay open to the global economic system. By studying in the International Economics Program, why not develop your ability to think objectively and realistically about the economic world?