Bachelor of International Liberal Arts: Political Science International College of Liberal Arts - Yamanashi Gakuin University

Political Science addresses some of the fundamental problems facing human society. Questions concerning government policies aimed at achieving economic stability and growth, the gap between the rich and poor, the role of NGOs to affect social and political change, the relations between countries, the crisis of our democratic institutions, and the world peace are all on the research agenda of contemporary political scientists.

The general purpose of the major is to address these and other similar important issues in a multidisciplinary way, and, simultaneously, to expose students to think critically and reason analytically about the constantly evolving political landscape in Asia compared to the rest of the world.

In addition to the knowledge students gain from the major, iCLA also prepares students for postgraduate studies and for a rich and rewarding career. Political Science graduates are well equipped for professions both in Asia and globally in the fields of international relations and diplomacy, public administration and government service, non-government organizations and community building, and research and business.

Why study Political Science

As Political Science Majors, students will gain a wide range of knowledge and skills to enhance their future career opportunities:

Knowledge:

• Knowledge of political science, its various sub-fields, major themes, and analytical techniques
• International perspective on political science research, the nature of change in Asia and in the global political community, and the complex character of processes such as globalization
• Understanding of human cultural and political variability in the Asian and the global community, and an appreciation of others’ viewpoints and culture-specific attitudes, ideals, and practices
• The intellectual framework for vigorous participation in civil society and public debate over the nature of the “global society”

Skills:

• Ability to examine written material and oral presentations critically
• Ability and desire to engage with social and political problems, to acquire relevant data, and use insight, knowledge, reasoning, and technical skills to analyze that data and develop logical solutions
• Ability to gather information, assess its importance, and organize it for use.
• Ability to effectively communicate ideas and information verbally, visually, and in writing

What will I study?

Students embarking on this major will study the required number of credits for modules organized in the following way:

• A foundational or entry-level course that is mandatory for all political science majors:
  • Introduction to Political Science
• Major-core courses that cover the four main sub-fields of political science:
  • Comparative Politics
  • Social & Political Theory
  • International Relations
  • Introduction to Public Administration
• Required electives that will further the study in each of the above-listed sub-fields. Those include more advanced modules such as:
  • Global Politics
  • International Relations in the Asian Pacific Region
  • Japanese Politics and Diplomacy
  • Political Simulation
  • Social Policy
• Political science majors are also required to take two modules that are functional to the study of the major:
  • Research Methods
  • Statistics

These courses will be supplemented by a required number of liberal arts courses, electives, and workshops chosen with broad freedom from the other disciplines iCLA offers.

What can I do next?

By nature, Liberal Arts majors make great employees in any field because of their ability to communicate effectively, think critically, and solve complex problems. These timeless skills make them attractive to employers in all walks of society.

Specifically, Political Science majors who graduate from iCLA can pursue careers in both Asia and globally such as:

• Public Administrators
• Diplomats/Experts in International Relations
• Non-Profits / Non-Governmental Organization Leaders
• Journalists
• Law Enforcement
• Political Consultants
• Community Organizers
• Research Analysts

The Political Science major at iCLA also prepares students for a smooth admission into graduate schools such as Political Science, Public Administration, Law School, and Journalism.