2020 Faculty Courses Liberal arts and basic science courses Humanities and social science courses
Area Studies: North America and Oceania
- Academic unit or major
- Humanities and social science courses
- Instructor(s)
- Kazuyasu Akashi
- Class Format
- Lecture (Zoom)
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - 3-4 Wed (Zoom)
- Class
- -
- Course Code
- LAH.A506
- Number of credits
- 100
- Course offered
- 2020
- Offered quarter
- 4Q
- Syllabus updated
- Jul 10, 2025
- Language
- Japanese
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
This course focuses on the United States this year, especially on the history of the Presidencial Elections, the fundamentals of the American Politics, the Strategy and Diplomacy for International Affairs including the Security Policies. Students will also learn ongoing huge change in the American Community with the influx of Hispanic people recent years.Topics include the unique system of Education which is generous for foreign students .
This course facilitates students'coprehensive understanding of current situation of the United States.
Course description and aims
At the end of this course, students will be able to understand the history of the politics and diplomacy of the United States after the World War Ⅱ.
Students will get knowledge and ability of judgement for having a view of the new administration which comes after the 2020 elections. Students may conclude that the United States would decline or not and they can get some examples which Japan could facilitate to energize our society.
Student learning outcomes
実務経験と講義内容との関連 (又は実践的教育内容)
An instructor with work experience in journalism will provide hands-on education
in American politics and history, based on practice in the field that requires objective coverage.
Keywords
presidents, strategy, diplomacy, wider view, open society
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
At the beginning of each class, students will be given the lectures of the instructor who was correspondent(bureau chief)of a Japanese News Agency in Washington D.C..Then students will have chance to ask some questions and present some opinions on the lectures. Discussion on the subjects are very important and active participaition will be appreciated. Attendance is taken in every class.Class 1, 4 and 7 are scheduled to be live lectures.
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | The meaning of the result of the Presidential Election in 2020 | To be announced in each class. |
| Class 2 | The history and the system of the Presidential Elections in the United States. How the Democracy in the States has been cultivated. | |
| Class 3 | The Diplomacy,the Security policies and the Space Strategy of the United States after the World War Ⅱ | |
| Class 4 | "New Cold War"--How America will deal with Russia and China? | |
| Class 5 | The big impact of the influx of Hispanics recent years--Is there crisis of the division of the country? | |
| Class 6 | Importance of Open Society--How American Education programs raise children | |
| Class 7 | New era of America---Now and future of US-Japan alliance |
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)
『大統領でたどるアメリカの歴史』明石和康著、岩波書店
Reference books, course materials, etc.
Course materials are provided during class.
Evaluation methods and criteria
Students' course scores are based on understanding (40%), reports(50%) and attendance(10%). Full attendance is recommended.
Related courses
- LAH.A501 ： Area Studies: Europe
- LAH.A502 ： Area Studies: East Asia
- LAH.A503 ： Area Studies: Latin America
- LAH.A504 ： Area Studies: Middle East and Africa
- LAH.A505 ： Area Studies: South and Southeast Asia
Prerequisites
No prerequisites.