Our Carefully Designed Curriculum
Centering on law, politics, economics and administration, our department seeks to prepare students to become critical thinkers and responsible citizens who are able to find and solve various problems in today's increasingly complex world. As of April 2005, the Department of Social Sciences now offers two courses providing an excellent education in which teachers work to foster the scholastic aptitude and mental faculties of our students.
- Gateway: The Orientation Seminar
The purpose of the Orientation Seminar is to equip students with the basic skills necessary for studying in a university. This class focuses on skills such as analyzing reading materials, preparing reports and summaries, and expressing one's opinion. First year students are required to choose from one of eight Orientation Seminar classes offered in the spring semester. Each class consists of approximately 20 students under the guidance of a faculty member. This relatively low teacher-student ratio ensures that each student can be properly prepared to conduct advanced research at Mie University.
- Foundations-1
"Kiso-Sogo" (Introduction to Social Sciences)
Offered in the autumn semester of the first year, "Kiso-Sogo" is a relay lecture in which faculty members take turns giving an introductory lecture to the field of study they specialize in. The aim of "Kiso-Sogo" is to help students master the basics of the social sciences and to help them decide which of the broad range of disciplines they would like to study in seminar classes later in their academic career.
- Foundations-2
"Senmon-Kiso" (Core Subjects in Social Sciences)
Offered in the autumn semester of the first year and the spring semester of the second year, "Senmon-Kiso" introduces students to some of the major themes and trends in social sciences. Students are required to take at least two of the six subjects; namely, Constitutional Law, Civil Law, Principles of Politics, Principles of Economics, Principles of Management, and Contemporary Economics. The "Senmon-Kiso" classes are also meant to help students choose their major field of study within the Department of Social Sciences.
- Choosing a Major Field of Study / Seminar
At the end of the spring semester of the second year, students must join a seminar course. The choice they make will determine their major field of study. For example, a student who chooses a seminar taught by a faculty member of the Law and Politics Course will belong to the Law and Politics Course, and a student who chooses a seminar taught by a faculty member of the Contemporary Economics Course will belong to the Contemporary Economics Course.
- In-depth Research: Seminars
Beginning in the third year, students will participate in small seminar groups which allow for greater interaction between teacher and students. These seminar groups allow the students to pursue their individual interests and hone their critical and analytical abilities. In the final year, students are expected to write their graduation thesis under the personal guidance of the professor who is in charge of their seminar.