GISDepartment of Global and Interdisciplinary Studies

The first two decades of the 21st century have witnessed dramatic changes in international relations. It has become increasingly obvious that the relative power and influence of the United States over world politics is declining vis-à-vis new rising stars, most notably China. At the same time, the legitimacy of Western liberal norms and values (such as democracy, the rule of law, and human rights) that have constituted an important feature of an American-led order are being challenged by the rise of alternative norms and values, supported by rising authoritarian states, most notably China. This trend has been further reinforced by rising public distrust of existing political systems in many Western democracies, in particular the United States, mainly stemming from detrimental effects of economic globalization. In addition, the international political stage, which was previously dominated by states, has increasingly featured non-state actors, including non-government organizations, multinational corporations, and terrorist groups. The enormous growth of non-state actors poses serious challenges to the power and authority of the state. These drastic changes in the realm of IR pose the significant question: What will be the shape of the world order in the 21st century?

In order to address this question, this seminar will examine the following:
1) Shifts in power distribution among great powers, including the United States, China, Japan, India, and the major European countries.
2) Prospects for global governance (Pandemic, Climate Change, Financial Crisis)
3) New technology and geopolitics (US-China competitions, The roles of “Big-Tech” companies)
4) The political effects of economic globalization (The rise of populism and the decline of democracy in major countries)
5) Competition among differing norms and values: disputes over capitalism, democracy, human rights, and self-determination in the Middle East, Africa, and East Asia.

Seminar participants will examine these critical issues by utilizing major theories of IR.

The course objectives are:
1) To provide students with a background for eventual careers in fields (including work in government, international organizations, business, and the media) which require articulate, clear-thinking individuals with a grasp of contemporary international relations (IR);
2) To enable students to establish a firm foundation for studying IR at graduate level;
3) To enable students to demonstrate mastery of the subject matter of the course through the expression of relevant factual knowledge and the comprehension of relevant theory, deployed with appropriate analytical skill, as evidenced in discussion, oral presentation and written work.

Will be able to gain “DP 1”, “DP 2”, “DP 3”, and “DP 4”.

英語 / English

The spring semester will have detailed discussion on topics relating to the main theme of this seminar. Extensive review of IR theories will also be conducted in the early weeks of the semester.
During the fall semester (and the summer camp), students will undertake their own research projects. Seminar members will also engage in some group work relating to their research topics and class simulation studies (role play game).
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Students will be required to write several short essays (only in the spring semester) and one research paper during the course (submitting a research paper by the late January 2023). Minimum length for the research paper is 4,000 words. Fourth-year students will concentrate on their dissertation projects during the year. Minimum length is 8,000 words, excluding bibliography, but including notes, any appendices and tables.
Comments for assignments are given during class and office hours.

あり / Yes

なし / No

授業形態/methods of teaching：対面/face to face

※各回の授業形態は予定です。教員の指示に従ってください。

1[オンライン/online]：Revised Research Proposal I

Presenting revised research proposals

2[対面/face to face]：Revised Research Proposal II

Presenting revised research proposals

3[対面/face to face]：Newspaper Content Analysis I

Analyzing contemporary topics by utilizing IR theories

4[対面/face to face]：Role play I

A simulation and role play exercise

5[対面/face to face]：Research Project Workshop

Individual consultation on research project

6[対面/face to face]：Mid-term Presentation on Research Papers (Third-year students)

Reporting progress on research papers

7[対面/face to face]：Mid-term Presentation on Dissertations (Fourth-year students)

Reporting progress on dissertations

8[対面/face to face]：Research Project Workshop

Individual consultation on research project

9[対面/face to face]：Role play II

A simulation and role play exercise

10[対面/face to face]：Newspaper Content Analysis II

Analyzing contemporary topics by utilizing IR theories

11[対面/face to face]：Research Project Workshop

Individual consultation on research project

12[対面/face to face]：Research Project Workshop

Individual consultation on research project

13[対面/face to face]：Final Presentation on Research Papers (Third-year students)

Presenting research papers

14[対面/face to face]：Final Presentation on Dissertations
(Fourth-year students)

Presenting dissertations

Students are expected to engage in detailed independent and group study in order to achieve their seminar tasks. For this reason, students are expected to organize study groups (sub-seminars) outside of class.
This seminar will host a summer camp. Preparatory study and review time for this class are 4 hours each.

Students are required to pore over assigned readings specified by the lecturer.

Information relating to references will be provided during the course.

Third year students: Research Papers (including Mid-Term and Final Presentations) (50%), Newspaper Content Analysis (25%), Role Play (25%).
Fourth year students: Role Play (10)%, Dissertations (including Mid-Term and Final Presentations (90%).

Handouts to be provided in a timely manner.

Course materials will be delivered via the Hoppii.

Students wishing to take this seminar are required to have completed either "Introduction to International Relations " or "World Politics."