2025 (Current Year) 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 (Face-to-face)
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - 1-2 Mon / 1-2 Thu
- Class
- -
- Course Code
- LAH.S203
- Number of credits
- 200
- Course offered
- 2025
- Offered quarter
- 2Q
- Syllabus updated
- Mar 19, 2025
- Language
- Japanese
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
Take in and discus the results of modern ideologies regarding the basics of political science. Discuss specific problems in modern society after lectures on the theoretical aspects. Political science is a field of study where students consider ways for people with differing abilities, values, opinions, and customs to come and work together in the same place. It is important to presume the existence of those who are different from one's self. It is not so easy to achieve mutual understanding with others. It is sometimes tantalizing and sometimes irritating. However, if we do not somehow form a mutual understanding we cannot maintain order in society. So what should we do? Lecture on the history and ideas of trial and error toward this end and discuss the prospects of applying them to modern society. This course has two aims. The first is to acquire a basis for political science. The second is to learn methods to resolve the issues of modern society using political science. By acquiring these abilities, it is possible to explore for solutions on how to co-exist with different kinds of people.
Course description and aims
Students will acquire the following abilities by taking this course. ①Students can acquire the fundamentals of political science. ②Students can learn methods of problem resolution using political science. ③Students can understand the pontifical philosophies which play a role in modern ideologies and apply them 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 | Introduction | Class guidance and Intro |
| 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 | Make students able to explain the relationship between politics and religion |
| Class 6 | Gandhi and politics | Understanding Gandhi’s thoughts on politics |
| Class 7 | Theory of Justice | Become able to explain the differences between "justice" as discussed by liberalists and homologists |
| Class 8 | Theory of democracy | Understand the characteristics and issues of modern democracy |
| Class 9 | Theory of authority | Understand authority in modern society through Foucault's theory |
| Class 10 | Orientalism theory | Understand Said's Orientalism Theory and the Structure of Colonial Rule |
| Class 11 | Colonial rule and post colonia | Understand how academic "knowledge" came to be linked with "authority" of colonial rule |
| Class 12 | Gender/sexuality theory | Understand how issues of gender and sexuality relate to modern politics |
| Class 13 | Representation of others and authority - Can subaltern speak? | Understand the politics surrounding the oppressed (subaltern) |
| Class 14 | Summary, Q and A | Look back on the lecture and have a discussion |
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)
NA.
Reference books, course materials, etc.
NA.
Evaluation methods and criteria
Students’ course scores are based on midterm (30%） and final papers (70%)
Related courses
- LAH.S103 ： Political Science A
- LAH.S304 ： Political Science C
Prerequisites
NA.
Contact information (e-mail and phone) Notice : Please replace from ”[at]” to ”@”(half-width character).
tnakajima[at]ila.titech.ac.jp
Office hours
Contact by e-mail in advance to schedule an appointment (online-only via Zoom).