program

GLOBAL STUDIES

GLOBAL STUDIES

Cultivate expertise through a broad perspective.

Students will select one of the three fields of Global Studies (Humanities, Citizenship, Business) based on personal interests nurtured in previous courses and study abroad, and deepen their specialized knowledge and understanding of the field.

Model Course Plan of Global Studies

Approaches from three fields

Approaches from Three Fields

“Where do we learn about gender?”

In a globalizing world, some issues can no longer be understood from a single viewpoint.
Through the liberal arts, students learn to approach questions from various perspectives.
For example, beyond the fields of humanities and sociology, gender is a theme deeply embedded in business,
civil society and everyday life.

Humanities Approach

The representation of gender

In the humanities, including literature, philosophy, and history, students explore how sex and gender have been represented and perpetuated.
For instance, by examining gender roles depicted in literary works, or the “ideal images” of women and men presented in religion and philosophy, students reconsider the values of society and the unconscious biases that shape them.

Citizenship Approach

To build a society where everyone can live comfortably

From viewpoints in social sciences like sociology and political science, students focus on how systems and rules create gender inequality.
They will imagine ways to create a comfortable society without uneven restrictions or barriers for everyone to live in, by analyzing the design of education, employment, welfare or laws, through the perspective of gender studies.

Business Approach

Diversity as a business strategy

Diversity is a critical management issue that contributes to innovation and productivity.
An economic perspective helps students analyze how gender gaps in the labor market affect economic efficiency and how women's participation in the economy influences GDP growth.
Through this lens, students will explore the relationship between business performance and gender equality. They will examine practical issues such as corporate leadership composition and work style reforms, and analyze how investing in human capital such as diverse hiring and retention practices affects organizational profitability and competitiveness.

Three Fields

01 Humanities 02 Citizenship 03 Business

Features of Humanities

By engaging in the appreciation and analysis of a variety of creative expressions, students will explore the nature of cultural production.
Humanities, with its strong focus on human expression and critical analysis, represents in many important ways the heart of the liberal arts learning experience.

POINT 01
The Humanities program aims to cultivate a deep understanding of humanity and culture through broad knowledge and creative inquiry.
By studying diverse fields such as literature, art, architecture, music, theater, philosophy, religious studies, film studies, cultural studies, and history, students develop rich sensibilities, critical thinking skills, and an open-minded perspective toward diversity.
POINT 02
Students use humanities methodologies to explore questions about humanity and culture from multiple perspectives. For example, those interested in beauty or ethics will interpret the meaning of expressions and ideas through literary criticism, textual analysis, philosophical inquiry, visual literacy, performance analysis, and certain forms of historical analysis.
POINT 03
Humanities topics are broad in scope. Examples include analysis of gender roles in contemporary music, artistic expressions of border crossing or migration, postcolonialism as expressed in animated films, the meaning of religion in contemporary societies, fiction treating the environment and climate change, etc.

Humanities Field

  • #interpretation
  • #creative expression
  • #synthesis
  • #cultural hybridity
  • #diversity
  • #appreciating difference
  • #individual thoughts and perspectives
  • #dialogue
  • #thought
  • #values
Hana Watanabe
(Enrolled in 2022, Komagome Senior High School)

STUDENT’S VOICE

Please tell us why you chose this field.

When I first entered GLAP, I intended to major in Business. However, through my liberal arts education, I found myself reexamining what it means to be human. This process led me to discover the appeal of the Humanities, where I could learn through my own sensibilities. Consequently, I decided to major in the Humanities.

Please tell us which Global Studies Electives course you found interesting and what insights you gained from it.

The most interesting course was “Japanese Literature in the World,” where we read Japanese literature in English and discussed it. It exposed me to diverse perspectives and helped me reexamine my own Japanese way of thinking. It has been a valuable opportunity to reflect on myself in a global environment.

Please tell us how studying abroad and your choice of field of study have influenced your future plans and career goals.

I've come to see things I can genuinely enjoy in a natural way. Being good at something doesn't necessarily mean it's a good fit. I feel that understanding in detail what I genuinely like—what I can keep doing without forcing myself—will become a guiding principle for the future.

Features of Citizenship

The Citizenship field seeks to train students to be global citizens who are responsible, knowledgeable, and active in the global society.
Students will acquire the critical thinking skills to understand the various social changes and conflicts brought about by globalization, as well as the constructive skills necessary to address future challenges.

POINT 01
Students will learn to put into practice a broad range of concepts and theories developed in social science fields, such as sociology, political science, anthropology, law, international relations, gender/minority studies, and area studies.
POINT 02
Students may use different methodologies, such as interviews, surveys, fieldwork, discourse analysis, or statistics, and approach different social science perspectives. For example, if you are interested in gender equality, you may analyze and discuss policy systems, media culture and journalism, feminism, and social movements
POINT 03
Students interested in Citizenship are likely to conduct research on topics questioning social and gender inequalities, identity and minority issues, public policy and social justice, international relations and organizations, migration and multiculturalism, sustainability and social change.

Citizenship Field

  • #Global citizen
  • #Gender
  • #Multiculturalism
  • #Social change
  • #Minority
  • #Identity
  • #Area studies
  • #Global city
  • #Political issues
  • #Democracy
  • #International relations
  • #Media
Hanano Sato
(Enrolled in 2022, Rikkyo School in England)

STUDENT’S VOICE

Please tell us why you chose this field.

I am interested in human behavior and chose Citizenship after being inspired by a lecture during my study abroad. Witnessing how politicians manipulate public opinion through the media made me realize the immense power of influence, and I am now focusing my studies on courses related to media.

Please tell us which Global Studies Electives course you found interesting and what insights you gained from it.

The “Global City” course I took in my third-year featured a humorous premise: “Countries promoting themselves to aliens.” It was a presentation-based class where we shared our country's appeal. Through research and interactions with international students, I learned diverse perspectives, and it left a particularly strong impression on me.

Please tell us about your future plans and career goals.

Through studying abroad and my field of study, I gained exposure to diverse disciplines including sociology, environmental studies, and gerontology. Engaging in repeated discussions with students from different cultures broadened my perspective and cultivated my ability to solve problems flexibly. After graduation, I aim to pursue a career where I can utilize these skills.

Features of Business

The Business field aims to train students to become globally competent business professionals who are strategic, innovative, and ethical in the international business environment.
Students will develop the strategic thinking skills needed to understand economic changes driven about by globalization, corporate social responsibility, and sustainable business models, as well as the innovative capabilities necessary to address future business challenges.

POINT 01
Students will learn to apply a broad range of concepts and theories across multiple business disciplines, such as management, economics, accounting, marketing, international business, and finance. By exploring multiple disciplines and approaches in the Business field, students will be exposed to various local and global business challenges, through a multidisciplinary and comparative perspective.
POINT 02
Students will explore business issues based on their own interests and select appropriate research methodologies such as case studies, data analysis, market research, financial analysis, and strategic analysis. For example, a student interested in sustainable business might investigate topics like corporate sustainability strategies, environmental economics, corporate social responsibility, or global supply chain management, using methodologies that best suit their research question.
POINT 03
Students interested in Business may research topics across several areas, including: Finance (financial analysis, corporate finance, investment); Innovation & Entrepreneurship (digital transformation, technological innovation, entrepreneurship and startups); Sustainability & Responsibility (sustainable business models, corporate social responsibility, ESG); Marketing & Consumer Behavior (consumer behavior, marketing strategies); and Economics (international trade, economic policy, development).

Business Field

  • #Global business
  • #Entrepreneurship
  • #Sustainability
  • #Corporate social responsibility
  • #Innovation
  • #International economics
  • #Marketing
  • #Leadership
  • #Finance
Okito Endo
(Enrolled in 2022, Rikkyo Ikebukuro Senior High School)

STUDENT’S VOICE

Please tell us why you chose this field.

I majored in Business and actively pursued courses in management studies at my study abroad destination, a field I had been interested in even before entering university. My interest deepened particularly through the Intercultural Negotiation course, and I now firmly believe that my knowledge of Business will be a strength in my future career upon returning home.

Please tell us which Global Studies Electives course you found interesting and what insights you gained from it.

The most memorable class was Cross-Fields Research. Learning from professors across three fields cultivated my ability to examine a single theme from multiple perspectives. The fieldwork at Roppongi Hills proved particularly fascinating and valuable, offering insights into business, citizenship, and humanity.

Please tell us about your future plans and career goals.

Through my studies in Accounting, Finance, and Negotiation abroad, I truly experienced the joy of interacting and collaborating with people from diverse backgrounds. I feel this was a valuable experience that made me feel positive about expanding my future career.

PROGRAM