2023 Faculty Courses Liberal arts and basic science courses Humanities and social science courses
Law (Constitutional Law) B
- Academic unit or major
- Humanities and social science courses
- Instructor(s)
- Yoshiaki Matsumura
- Class Format
- Lecture (Face-to-face)
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - 1-2 Mon (M-B104(H103)) / 1-2 Thu (M-B104(H103))
- Class
- -
- Course Code
- LAH.S201
- Number of credits
- 200
- Course offered
- 2023
- Offered quarter
- 2Q
- Syllabus updated
- Jul 8, 2025
- Language
- Japanese
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
This course explains the most fundamental and important matters of the constitution. Students of this course may learn the most fundamental and important subjects of the constitution. Those subjects contain the general remarks of the constitution such as “ What is the constitution? ” and constitutionalism, the basic points of the protection of constitutional rights, and the governmental system.
The aim of this course is for students to understand the most fundamental and important matters of the constitution.
This course qualifies as a "constitution" course required for teaching and other occupations.
Course description and aims
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Explain important concepts and questions of the general constitution theory, the theory of protection of constitutional rights , and the theory of the governmental system.
- Argue important questions of the general constitution theory, the theory of protection of constitutional rights , and the theory of the governmental system.
- Consider various real-world issues related to the general constitution theory, the theory of protection of constitutional rights , and the theory of the governmental system.
Keywords
the constitution of japan, constitutionalism, protection of rights, judicial review
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
Face-to-face lesson
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Guidance of this course, Image of the law, and Study method of the law | Understanding the outline of this course, what the law is, and the study method of the law |
| Class 2 | Introduction of the law | before the class: reading of the materials and identifying the questions after the class: recalling of the class, reading of the reference books, reviewing of the knowledge, and studying of the issues |
| Class 3 | What is the constitution?１: Constitutionalism | before the class: reading of the materials and identifying the questions after the class: recalling of the class, reading of the reference books, reviewing of the knowledge, and studying of the issues |
| Class 4 | What is the constitution?2: Separation of powers, Obligation to respect and uphold the constitution, the system of judicial review | before the class: reading of the materials and identifying the questions after the class: recalling of the class, reading of the reference books, reviewing of the knowledge, and studying of the issues |
| Class 5 | Respect for individual and principles in protection of constitutional rights 1: respect for individual, concept of human/constitutional rights, new rights, categorization of rights | before the class: reading of the materials and identifying the questions after the class: recalling of the class, reading of the reference books, reviewing of the knowledge, and studying of the issues |
| Class 6 | Respect for individual and principles in protection of constitutional rights 2: Aplication of constitutional rights to private persons | before the class: reading of the materials and identifying the questions after the class: recalling of the class, reading of the reference books, reviewing of the knowledge, and studying of the issues |
| Class 7 | Respect for individual and principles in protection of constitutional rights 3: Limitation of constitutional rights, subject of constitutional rights | before the class: reading of the materials and identifying the questions after the class: recalling of the class, reading of the reference books, reviewing of the knowledge, and studying of the issues |
| Class 8 | Unenumerated rights and right to privacy | before the class: reading of the materials and identifying the questions after the class: recalling of the class, reading of the reference books, reviewing of the knowledge, and studying of the issues |
| Class 9 | Equal protection | before the class: reading of the materials and identifying the questions after the class: recalling of the class, reading of the reference books, reviewing of the knowledge, and studying of the issues |
| Class 10 | Freedom of speech | before the class: reading of the materials and identifying the questions after the class: recalling of the class, reading of the reference books, reviewing of the knowledge, and studying of the issues |
| Class 11 | Social rights | before the class: reading of the materials and identifying the questions after the class: recalling of the class, reading of the reference books, reviewing of the knowledge, and studying of the issues |
| Class 12 | Sovereignty of the people and parliamentary democracy | before the class: reading of the materials and identifying the questions after the class: recalling of the class, reading of the reference books, reviewing of the knowledge, and studying of the issues |
| Class 13 | Pacifism | before the class: reading of the materials and identifying the questions after the class: recalling of the class, reading of the reference books, reviewing of the knowledge, and studying of the issues |
| Class 14 | History of the constitutions of Japan and constitutional amendment | before the class: reading of the materials and identifying the questions after the class: recalling of the class, reading of the reference books, reviewing of the knowledge, and studying of the issues |
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 course materials.
Textbook(s)
none
Reference books, course materials, etc.
Reference books will be presented in class as needed.
Evaluation methods and criteria
short tests(85%), report (15%)
Related courses
- LAH.S101 ： Law (Constitutional Law) A
- LAH.S301 ： Law (Constitutional Law) C
Prerequisites
none