Academics
| Degree | Bachelor of Arts in Policy Science |
|---|---|
| Major | Community and Regional Policy Studies |
| Language | English |
| Length | 4 years |
| Enrollment Period | September |
Carefully formulated, well implemented policies have the power to transform people's lives. Students of policy science learn how to unleash that power by combining advanced academic knowledge in several disciplines with a focus on solving real-life problems. Issues such as poverty, demographic shifts, urbanization, and environmental change are recognized as global challenges, but they all demand locally situated responses. Policy science connects the global and the local, cultivating advanced practitioners to deliver creative solutions which satisfy all stakeholders.
Program Goals in Policy Science
Through the study of Policy Science, students not only gain theoretical knowledge but also engage in practical investigations, giving themselves the potential to succeed in a variety of professions.
Graduates of the Community and Regional Policy Studies major can:
- Research current policy issues methodically from both local and global standpoints
- Apply quantitative and qualitative research techniques to comprehend and propose solutions to key social problems
- Read critically, think logically, present effectively, and write persuasively
- Uphold universal human values such as peace, democracy, human rights, and public interest
- Respect the concept of “participation” in social decision making
- Build regional and community networks for practice-oriented social investigation
- Utilize diverse language skills to play important roles in global society
Human Resource Development Goal, Curriculum, and Diploma Policy
Below is an overview of the human development goal, curriculum, and diploma policy stipulated by the College of Policy Science in accordance with the above mentioned educational philosophy.
Human development goal
The College of Policy Science aims to research and teach policy science and create global professionals capable of designing and implementing policies with a solution-oriented mindset.
Curriculum
The following types of the courses are offered within the CRPS Major in order to educate students in policy design and implementation skills, and to encourage to take problem-oriented approaches.
| Vision Building Subjects | These courses provide instruction in a wide range of policy issues. | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| English for Academic Purposes (EAP) |
These courses provide instruction in academic research skills while improving English language ability. | ||
| Foreign Languages | These courses provide instruction in Japanese language and encourage students to master intermediate-level Japanese. Also available are classes in other foreign languages in various levels. | ||
| Computing and Research Methods | These courses provide instruction in social research methodologies which will serve as the basis of policy design. | ||
| Policy Science Subjects |
Introductory Lectures |
These courses provide instruction in basic social science theories and logical thinking methods, both of which are necessary to study policy. | |
| Advanced Lectures |
These courses provide more in-depth instruction on policy issue case studies and theories of policy analysis. Students are encouraged to study any courses from the following programs; Sustainable Urban Policy; Regional Economy and Development; Multi-level Governance. | ||
| Seminars | These courses develop practical skills to conduct policy surveys and research. These are core courses in the College of Policy Science. | ||
| Exchange Study Courses |
These courses introduce students to diverse cultural perspectives and provide instruction on the social structures behind policy issues. These courses may be taken not only by CRPS students but by all students in the College of Policy Science including Japanese language basis students, thus creating an enhanced multi-cultural, shared learning environment with the local student body. | ||
Diploma Policy
In order to train students to be capable of designing and implementing policies for problem solving, we have set four academic standards that should be achieved by graduation (Educational Objectives).
Students who have acquired these skills and the number of credits specified in the curriculum will be granted a degree in Bachelor of Arts in Policy Science.
By the time students graduate, they are expected to:
| 1 | 1-1 | Have developed a sincere interest in regional and international society composed of people spanning multiple generations with diverse values, and have cultivated an attitude that embraces the importance of participation in civil society. |
|---|---|---|
| 1-2 | Have acquired the motivation and attitude to solve issues and understand the significance of good leadership and forming networks. | |
| 2 | Be able to understand current policy issues from both local and global perspectives based on integrated competency in the social sciences. | |
| 3 | Have acquired fundamental skills (critical reading, logical thinking, presentation, and academic writing), foreign language abilities, and social and information science orientated analysis methods to design and implement sound policies. | |
| 4 | Be capable of solution-orientated thinking and judgment based on universal human values (peace, democracy, human rights, public interest, etc.). | |