2020 Faculty Courses Liberal arts and basic science courses Humanities and social science courses
Political Science B
- Academic unit or major
- Humanities and social science courses
- Instructor(s)
- Takeshi Nakajima
- Class Format
- Lecture (Zoom)
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - 1-2 Mon (W241) / 1-2 Thu (W241)
- Class
- -
- Course Code
- LAH.S203
- Number of credits
- 200
- Course offered
- 2020
- Offered quarter
- 2Q
- Syllabus updated
- Jul 10, 2025
- Language
- Japanese
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
The instructor will discuss the basics of political science, including the outcomes of modern ideologies. After lectures on the theories, students will discuss specific issues in modern society. Political science is the field of study which conceives methods of how strangers with different abilities, values, opinions, and customs can work together in one place. It is vital to expect the existence of persons different from ourselves. It is not so easy to achieve a mutual understanding. It can be frustrating and upsetting at times. However, consensus must somehow be achieved to maintain order in society. What can be done? Lectures will trace the history and thinking behind trial and error and discuss the prospects for modern society.
This course has two aims. First, for students to acquire the basics of political science. Second, for students to learn methods of political science for solving issues of modern society. With these abilities, it becomes possible for students to seek ways of coexisting with persons different from themselves.
Course description and aims
By the end of this course, students will acquire:
(1) The basics of political science.
(2) Methods of solving issues through political science.
(3) An understanding of political philosophy, which plays a role in contemporary philosophy, and an ability to apply it to other humanities and social sciences.
Keywords
Politics, Right-wing, Left-wing, Nationalism, Fundamentalism, Democracy, Public, Post-colonial, Orientalism, Gender, Subaltern
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
Before coming to class, students should read the course schedule and check what topics will be covered. Required learning should be completed outside of the classroom for preparation and review purposes.
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Class guidance and Intro | Class guidance |
| Class 2 | What is left? What is right? | Become able to explain the difference between right wing and left wing |
| Class 3 | A rough sketch of modern politics | Understand a sketch of modern politics with a four quadrant, and become able to explain your own position |
| Class 4 | Nationalism and sovereignty | Understand the background through which modern journalism became politicized along with the concept of sovereignty |
| Class 5 | Politics and Religion -Secularism, Fundamentalism and Religious Pluralism | Become able to explain the relationship between politics and religion |
| Class 6 | Gandhi and politics | Discuss the relationship between politics and religion through M · K · Gandhi |
| Class 7 | Theory of Justice | Become able to explain the difference between the theories of "justice" put forth by liberalists and communitarians |
| Class 8 | Theory of democracy - Association, nation, global | Understand the characteristics and issues of modern democracy |
| Class 9 | Public Sphere - Civil society, mass society, fascism | Understand and grasp the issues of the public sphere in the era of popularization |
| Class 10 | Power theory | Understand authority in modern society through Foucault's theory |
| Class 11 | Orientalism theory | Understand how academic "knowledge" came to be linked with "authority" of colonial rule |
| Class 12 | Colonial rule and post colonial | Understand how academic "knowledge" came to be linked with "authority" of colonial rule |
| Class 13 | Gender/sexuality theory | Understand how issues of gender and sexuality relate to modern politics |
| Class 14 | Conclusion | Conclusion |
Study advice (preparation and review)
To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes preparing for class and another 100 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.
They should do so by referring to textbooks and other course material.
Textbook(s)
None required.
Reference books, course materials, etc.
None required.
Evaluation methods and criteria
Students’ course scores are based on midterm (50%） and final papers (50%)
Related courses
- LAH.S103 ： Political Science A
- LAH.S304 ： Political Science C
Prerequisites
No prerequisites.