2026 (Current Year) Faculty Courses Liberal arts and basic science courses Humanities and social science courses
Special Lecture:Contemporary Society
- Academic unit or major
- Humanities and social science courses
- Instructor(s)
- Akira Ikegami
- Class Format
- Lecture (Face-to-face)
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - 5-6 Tue (M-B07(H101)) / 5-6 Fri (M-B07(H101))
- Class
- -
- Course Code
- LAH.S208
- Number of credits
- 200
- Course offered
- 2026
- Offered quarter
- 1Q
- Syllabus updated
- Mar 5, 2026
- Language
- Japanese
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
The principal aim of this course is for students to gain the knowledge of contemporary society and the international situation that they will require upon graduation, with a focus on the Ukrainian,U.S., Middle East issues, the Islamic world, and North Korea.
Course description and aims
Students will be able to have his or her own perspective to understand and judge everyday news .
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 news coverage and journalism will provide hands-on education.
Students will be able to have his or her own perspective to understand and judge daily news .
Keywords
Constitution,Ukrainian, Russia, U.S. , contemporary history of China, North Korea, the Cold War, Japan-U.S. relations, Islam
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
This course assists students in gaining basic knowledge and values discussions and expressions of the student opinions on what they should think about the topics covered.
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | 4/7（Tue） |
The reasons for the Trump presidency and its strong support in America lie in the deepening divisions there, and can be difficult to understand viewed from a Japanese perspective. Here we will investigate the reality of present day America. |
| Class 2 | 4/10（Fri） |
We are flooded with tragic images from Palestine, but Israel remains hardline. Here we consider the roots of this situation. |
| Class 3 | 4/14（Tue） |
Here we analyze President Putin's thinking from a geopolitical perspective. |
| Class 4 | 4/17（Fri） |
The Cold War between East and West has shaped our modern world. We take a look at the shadows that it casts on the present era. |
| Class 5 | 4/21（Tue） |
Explain the Japan-US relationship over the Security Treaty. |
| Class 6 | 4/24（Fri） |
Explain the history and the problem of Okinawa. |
| Class 7 | 4/28（Tue） |
Exposing the attachment to nuclear development in the shadow of Japan’s “Three Non-nuclear Principles” |
| Class 8 | 5/1（Fri） |
The connection between the Tokyo Institute of Technology and a case of environmental pollution from the era of the postwar economic miracle. |
| Class 9 | 5/8（Fri） |
Oil is still the energy source that drives the world. Here we analyse it from a geopolitical perspective. |
| Class 10 | 5/12（Tue） |
Explain the history and the problem of EU. |
| Class 11 | 5/15（Fri） |
Explain the Middle East problems. |
| Class 12 | 5/19（Tue） |
Explain the tragedy for Mao Zedong after the founding of China. |
| Class 13 | 5/22（Fri） |
Japan’s historical annexation of Korea has a lingering influence on Japan-South Korea relations. |
| Class 14 | 5/26（Tue） |
Have ahistorical perspective on North Korea. |
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)
A textbook may be suggested for the course as needed.
Reference books, course materials, etc.
Reference books and course materials will be suggested.
Evaluation methods and criteria
Description type examination. Attendance points should not be included.
Related courses
- None
Prerequisites
No Prerequisite