POL400ZA（政治学 / Politics 400）

Seminar: International Relations II／Seminar: International Relations II

【授業の概要と目的（何を学ぶか） / Outline and objectives】
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 rising states, 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 states. This trend has been further reinforced by growing 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 multinational corporations, non-government organizations,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 major European countries) and their strategic competitions.
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.

【到達目標 / Goal】
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.

【この授業を履修することで学部等のディプロマポリシーに示されたどの能力を習得することができるか（該当授業科目と学位授与方針に明示された学習成果との関連） / Which item of the diploma policy will be obtained by taking this class?】
Will be able to gain “DP 1”, “DP 2”, “DP 3”, and “DP 4”.

【授業で使用する言語 / Default language used in class】
英語 / English

【授業の進め方と方法 / Method(s)】 （学期の途中で変更になる場合には、別途提示します。 /If the Method(s) is changed, we will announce the details of any changes. ）
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 2024). 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.

【アクティブラーニング（グループディスカッション、ディベート等）の実施 / Active learning in class (Group discussion, Debate.etc.)】
あり / Yes

【フィールドワーク（学外での実習等）の実施 / Fieldwork in class】
なし / No

【授業計画 / Schedule】
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。

【授業時間外の学習（準備学習・復習・宿題等） / Work to be done outside of class (preparation, etc.)】
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.

【テキスト（教科書） / Textbooks】
Students are required to pore over assigned readings specified by the lecturer.

【参考書 / References】
Information relating to references will be provided during the course.

【成績評価の方法と基準 / Grading criteria】
Third year students: Research Papers (including Mid-Term and Final Presentations) (65%), Newspaper Content Analysis (20%), Role Play (15%).
Fourth year students: Role Play (10)%, Newspaper Content Analysis (10%) Dissertations (including Mid-Term and Final Presentations (80%).

【学生の意見等からの気づき / Changes following student comments】
Handouts to be provided in a timely manner.

【学生が準備すべき機器他 / Equipment student needs to prepare】
Course materials will be delivered via the Hoppii.

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