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2016　Political Science B

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Academic unit or major
Humanities and social science courses
Instructor(s)
Nakajima Takeshi 
Class Format
Lecture     
Media-enhanced courses
Day/Period(Room No.)
Mon1-2(W641)  Thr1-2(W641)  
Group
-
Course number
LAH.S203
Credits
2
Academic year
2016
Offered quarter
2Q
Syllabus updated
2017/1/11
Lecture notes updated
2016/5/13
Language used
Japanese
Access Index

Course description and aims

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.

Student learning outcomes

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 that will be developed

✔ 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/Required learning

  Course schedule Required learning
Class 1 Class guidance and Intro (Gandhi and politics) Understanding Gandhi’s thoughts on politics
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 Theory of Justice Become able to explain the difference between the theories of "justice" put forth by liberalists and communitarians
Class 7 Theory of democracy - Association, nation, global Understand the characteristics and issues of modern democracy
Class 8 Public Sphere - Civil society, mass society, fascism Understand and grasp the issues of the public sphere in the era of popularization
Class 9 Understand and grasp the issues of the public sphere in the era of popularization Understand authority in modern society through Foucault's theory
Class 10 Colonial rule and post colonial - Orientalism theory Understand how academic "knowledge" came to be linked with "authority" of colonial rule
Class 11 Gender/sexuality theory Understand how issues of gender and sexuality relate to modern politics
Class 12 Representation of others and authority - Can subaltern speak? Understand the politics surrounding the oppressed (subaltern)
Class 13 Politics and autonomy Understand issues in modern politics from the notion of agency (independent action)
Class 14 The structure and changes of international politics Become able to explain the fundamentals of international politics
Class 15 Issues in modern Japanese politics Become able to theorize methods of political science for solving issues of the politics of modern Japan

Textbook(s)

None required.

Reference books, course materials, etc.

None required.

Assessment criteria and methods

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 (i.e., required knowledge, skills, courses, etc.)

No prerequisites.

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