Courses

What are the aims of the course?

In this course, students learn about a variety of wildlife issues in Japan and globally, as well as worldwide efforts to achieve humans and wildlife coexistence. Human-wildlife conflicts including agricultural/forestry damage and occasional human casualties occur in rural and urban communities in many parts of the world. The course aims to educate students about (1) human-wildlife conflicts both in Japan and worldwide, including causes and background issues, and (2) key factors and ideas involved in understanding and solving human-wildlife conflicts, including tools and the human dimensions approach.

Why should a student study Policy Science (on the CRPS major) at Ritsumeikan University?

Policy Science is a field that requires learners’ understanding of the background to certain social issues and methods for addressing them. Those who want to contribute to solving social and environmental problems need to be aware of multiple concepts including related law and policies, theories and approaches to decision-making and governance. The CRPS program also offers various field trips where students can learn about the actual social and environmental issues people face and engage in collaboration with stakeholders (Figure 1).