Course Description

1. Course Description　(授業の内容)
Teaching language: English (spring semester) // Japanese (autumn semester)
This class is an introductory course to the political system of postwar Japan. Specifically, the course will explain the historical background and the basic ideas of the political system, comparing it with other countries. This enables students to understand and evaluate current trends. The class covers the following political topics: democracy and political institutions, the political situation in Japan, elections, parliament, the prime minister and cabinet, ministries and bureaucracy, the party system, interest groups, business organizations, the media, civil society, and various policies. This class consists of introductory lectures, group work, presentations and discussions. A written exam completes the course at the end of the semester.

2．Course Objectives（授業の到着目的）
This course aims at acquiring and deepening basic knowledge on political systems, esp. in Japan as well as at understanding basic terminology and ideas, institutions, processes and policies related to political science. Group work and other activities is part of the course.

3．Grading Policy（成績評価方法）
There will be a final exam at the end of the course. In addition, regular attendance and active
participation are taken into account during the course, too. The final exam (70%) , regular attendance,
active participation (20%) and presentation or alike (20%) will result jointly in the final grade.
Depending on the course progress, there may occur changes to course plan below.

４．Textbooks（テキスト・文庫文献）
‐平石正美、五味太始、古坂正人（2020）：『政治学入門』、東京：成文堂．
‐永井史男、水島治郎、品田裕　編(2019)『政治学入門』　ミネルヴァ書房．
‐Kabashima, Ikuo; Steel, Gill (2010): “Changing Politics in Japan”, Cornell Paperbacks.
‐Schoppa, Leonard J. (2017)：“The Evolution of Japan’s Party System: Politics and Policy in an Era of Institutional Change”, Toronto: University of Toronto Press.

More literature is available in the university library. Since this discipline changes very quickly, it is important to refer to the recent documents and information on specified websites.

５．Assignments（授業時間外の学習《準備学習》）
To deepen your understanding of the themes mentioned in the course, it is necessary to read the provided literature in advance and to refer to related websites. Please search any unknown terminology by yourself and summarize your insights and opinion on each course topic given.

６．Class Requirement（学生への概要・その他）
Attendance is mandatory. In order to deepen the knowledge of each specialized area, it is required to actively participate during the course.

7. Course Syllabus（授業の計画）
【第１回】 イントロダクション // Introduction
【第２回】 政治学と政治制度とは？ // Political Science and Political Systems
【第３回】 図書館：データベースの検索導入
【第４回】 （A）選挙制度と政党制度とは? // Elections and Party Systems
【第５回】 （A）執政制度と政治の関係とは？ // The Executive and Politics
【第６回】 （A）司法制度と政治の関係とは？ // The Judicative and Politics
【第７回】 （B）政策と政策過程とは？ // Policies and Policy-making
【第８回】 （B）福祉政策とは？ // Social Welfare Policy
【第９回】 （B）エネルギー政策とは？ // Energy Policy
【第10回】 （C）ガバナンスと利害関係者とは？ // Governance and Interest Groups
【第11回】 （C）市民社会と政治の関係とは？ // Civil Society and Politics
【第12回】 （C）マスメディアと政治の関係とは？ // Mass Media and Politics
【第13回】 期末テスト // Final Exam
【第14回】 Closing Discussion
【第15回】 練習：「データベース検索」