Global Studies in Asia Program（GSA）

The Global Studies in Asia Program (GSA) provides a curriculum in English consisting of courses related to Japan. The Program, based at the Komaba Campus, is run by faculty members at the College of Arts and Sciences and is designed for international students who are interested in learning about, experiencing, and analyzing Japan from a variety of perspectives. The program offers courses in a number of areas, including cultural studies, history, literature, geography, politics, peacebuilding and environmental sciences. Students who register for the Global Studies in Asia Program will be given plenty of opportunities to interact with local students inside and outside of the classroom, especially students of the Global Studies Program (GS) which is the sister program of GSA. Upon acquiring the required credits in language learning and specialized courses, GSA students will be awarded an official certificate of completion issued by the Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences.

【Guidance of the GSA Program】
The guidance for 2025S Semester was held ONLINE as follows：
Date&Time: April 9 (Wed) 12:20 - 12:50
For those who could not attend or who missed part of the explanation, here are the presentation slides (in PDF)available only through your UTokyo Account (ECCS account):

Presentation Slides
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1I5eweogA57lfS1NVr7n-pw0DN2E4K1Oj/view?usp=sharing

Eligibility and Registration

Only students enrolled in the University-wide Student Exchange Program (USTEP TypeU) or the College of Arts and Sciences Senior Division Exchange Program (KOMSTEP) are eligible to apply for the program.

【How to Apply】
Those who want to apply for the GSA program should follow the steps below:

1. Fill out the online form by Wednesday, April 30, 2025. (2025S Semester)

2 . Register for courses required by the GSA program during the course registration period through the University of Tokyo Academic Affairs System (UTAS) or through the procedures indicated by the exchange program coordinators.

Please ensure to register for courses containing the titles “Seminar in Global Liberal Arts”, “Praxis in Global Liberal Arts” and “Lectures in Global Liberal Arts”. Some of these courses have multiple entry titles when listed on UTAS, but will only count towards the GSA program when registered as the appropriate title (see course title list below).
Completing the online form and self-registering for GSA courses will automatically register students onto the GSA program.

Curriculum

Below are the courses offered in 2025S semester.
All courses in the GSA Program are conducted as regular UTokyo courses and are therefore open to local students.
Most of them are offered in English, but there are also several courses conducted in other non-Japanese languages (marked with an ◆ on the list).

GS/GSA Courses of 2025S (April - August 2025)

	Course Title	Instructor	Subtitle
	グローバル教養実践演習(1)/ Praxis in Global Liberal Arts (1)	小田　博宗 / ODA Hiromune	Advertising a Language: How can we make our life and world better?
	グローバル教養特別講義 I/ Lectures in Global Liberal Arts I	KARTIKA Diana	Academic writing and research in English
	グローバル教養特別講義 III (1)/ Lectures in Global Liberal Arts III (1)	増田　建 / MASUDA Tatsuru 土畑　重人 / DOBATA Shigeto 池田　啓 / IKEDA Hajime	Biodiversity and Ecosystems
	グローバル教養特別演習 I (1) / Seminar in Global Liberal Arts I (1)	GIRAUDOU Isabelle	Law and the Anthropocene
	グローバル教養特別演習 I (2) / Seminar in Global Liberal Arts I (2)	前田　章 / MAEDA Akira	Microeconomic Analysis
	グローバル教養特別演習 I (3) / Seminar in Global Liberal Arts I (3)	HUSSAIN Nazia	Environment and Society
	グローバル教養特別演習 I (4) / Seminar in Global Liberal Arts I (4)	キハラハント　愛 / KIHARA-HUNT Ai	Contemporary Armed Conflicts, UN Charter and International Humanitarian Law 今日の武力紛争、国連憲章と国際人道法
	グローバル教養特別演習 I (5) / Seminar in Global Liberal Arts I (5)	KARTIKA Diana	Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Education: Society, Politics, and Governance
	グローバル教養特別演習 I (6) / Seminar in Global Liberal Arts I (6)	吉本　郁 / YOSHIMOTO Iku	---
	グローバル教養特別演習 I (7) / Seminar in Global Liberal Arts I (7)	岡地迪尚 / OKACHI Michinao	マクロ経済学 / The Macroeconomics
	グローバル教養特別演習 I (8) / Seminar in Global Liberal Arts I (8)	川坂　和義 / KAWASAKA Kazuyoshi	Masculinity studies in Japan
	グローバル教養特別演習 I (9) / Seminar in Global Liberal Arts I (9)	鈴木早苗 / SUZUKI Sanae	Politics on International intervention
	グローバル教養特別演習 I (10) / Seminar in Global Liberal Arts I (10)	HAMMOND Christopher	Education in Asia-Pacific Societies
◆	グローバル教養特別演習 I (11) / Seminar in Global Liberal Arts I (11)	STRASSHEIM Jan	Themes in the philosophy of language
	グローバル教養特別演習 I (12) / Seminar in Global Liberal Arts I (12)	王　欽 / WANG Qin	Introduction to Literary Theory
	グローバル教養特別演習 I (13)/ Seminar in Global Liberal Arts I (13)	ROLAND Douglas	The psycholinguistics of 2nd language comprehension, production, and acquisition
	グローバル教養特別演習 I (14) / Seminar in Global Liberal Arts I (14)	O'DEA John	Historical Introduction to Analytic Philosophy
	グローバル教養特別演習 I (21) / Seminar in Global Liberal Arts I (21)	ELREFAEY Ahmed	Basic Organic Chemistry
	グローバル教養特別演習 I (22) / Seminar in Global Liberal Arts I (22)	WILLOX Ralph	Mathematical modeling
	グローバル教養特別演習 I (23) / Seminar in Global Liberal Arts I (23)	甘蔗寂樹 / KANSHA Yasuki AZIZ Muhammad	n/a
	グローバル教養特別演習 I (41) / Seminar in Global Liberal Arts I (41)	ROBERTS Mark	Japanese Cinema: The Golden Age
	グローバル教養特別演習 I (42) / Seminar in Global Liberal Arts I (42)	張旭東 / ZHANG Xudong	Translation Theory: Approaches in Trans-Historical and Cross-Civilizational Understanding
	グローバル教養特別演習 I (43) / Seminar in Global Liberal Arts I (43)	FUMAGALLI Corrado	Free speech: philosophical and normative perspectives
	グローバル教養特別演習 I (44) / Seminar in Global Liberal Arts I (44)	成田　大樹 / NARITA Daiju	Advanced Environmental and Resource Economics
	グローバル教養特別演習 I (45) / Seminar in Global Liberal Arts I (45)	トンプソン　美恵子 / THOMPSON Mieko	Introduction to Qualitative Research

Details such as classrooms, course objectives and schedule are within the "Academic Program for USTEP/KOMSTEP Students."

QR_GSA2025S

The course information above and within the Academic Program is subject to change. Please make sure to check the latest information within UTokyo Academic affairs System (UTAS) and UTOL (UTokyo LMS).

Credit Requirements for Completion of the Program

In order to complete the GSA Program, students must obtain the following credits by the end of their exchange period.

6 credits from the following courses:
- Praxis in Global Liberal Arts
- Lectures in Global Liberal Arts I - III
- Seminar in Global Liberal Arts I - V
6 credits from the Japanese Language courses offered at Komaba Campus

The above are the minimum requirements. Students are welcome to take other courses offered at either the Komaba Campus or the Hongo Campus. However, only the courses listed above in 1 and 2 will be counted as credits for the GSA Program. Please note that some courses have enrollment restrictions and are not open to exchange students.
Those wishing to take Japanese language courses offered at Komaba must have already completed the placement test. Students are allowed to take courses at their designated level.
Students at a native or near-native level in Japanese (JLPT N1) can take any senior-division courses of the College of Arts and Sciences that are conducted in Japanese and eligible for exchange students, and have the credits counted towards the requirement 2) above. Please note that JLPT N１is required for taking courses taught in Japanese.
Students can take the above courses in one semester or spread them out over two semesters, depending on their exchange periods.
USTEP students entering in and after April 2025 must follow a new rule restricting their Japanese language courses up to 2 classes per week. If you wish to complete the GSA program in 1 semester, you need to get special permission from the USTEP office, Hongo for taking 3 Japanese classes per week. Please check the details on the USTEP Type U: Portal Site "④Restriction on Japanese Language Courses": https://sites.google.com/g.ecc.u-tokyo.ac.jp/ustep-typeu/courses/course-registration_1?authuser=0#h.yixwc2862kkx

Upon obtaining the required credits stated above, students registered to GSA will be awarded an official certificate of completion issued by the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. The certificates will be sent to the students upon return to their home university, after the grades have been posted and credits have been calculated.

FAQ

Q1：I will stay at UTokyo for 2 semesters, but I could not complete GSA’s requirements for the 1st semester. Can I continue to take GSA courses and enroll in the second semester?
A1：Yes, there is no problem with doing that. You can take GSA courses in one semester or spread them over two semesters. You do not have to make the GSA enrollment again in the second semester.

Q2：I will stay at UTokyo for 2 semesters and I have finished the all GSA requirements at the 1st semester. May I get the GSA certificate while I am in Japan?
A2：The GSA certificate will be awarded after all of the results have come out. Therefore, the certificate will only be sent to your home university after you have completed all of the semesters at UTokyo.
Certificates will be delivered around April for students who finished their program at UTokyo after the A semester, and around September for those finishing after the S semester.

Q3：May I get the GSA certificate by data?
A3：No, in principle, you cannot get the certificate by data.

Q4：May I take Asian language courses in Hongo Campus?
A4：The GSA program is run by faculty members at the College of Arts and Sciences, which is based on Komaba Campus.
You are welcome to take other courses offered at Hongo Campus but the credits of these courses do not meet the GSA requirements.

Q5：For the language courses, I am interested in Chinese and Korean as well as Japanese. Are there
courses of Chinese and Korean beginners provided in English?
A5：Please refer to either the UTAS and contact the main instructor of each course to ask about the language used in class.

Messages from the Global Studies Committee

Enjoy meeting and studying with students from all over the world!

Tomofumi KITAMURA
Professor
Director of the Global Studies Committee
The College of Arts and Sciences
The University of Tokyo

Study and have fun together here in Komaba.
Our students are thrilled to meet you!

Yuki HIROSE
Professor
S-Semester Vice Director of the Global Studies Committee
The College of Arts and Sciences
The University of Tokyo

Explore the world and map your future in Komaba!

Takashi ODA
Associate Professor
A-Semester Vice Director of the Global Studies Committee
The College of Arts and Sciences
The University of Tokyo

Komaba is bigger than you think. As big as the World? Perhaps!

Yoshiaki MIHARA
Associate Professor
Member of the Global Studies Committee
The College of Arts and Sciences
The University of Tokyo

GS Student Staff Members

The GS Student Staff Members are employed to support events organized by the GS/GSA program committee. In addition, they planned and hosted regular Lunchtime Gatherings and a Game Night for international and Japanese students during 2024A Semester.
Thank you very much to Ayusa, Yuxin, Hayase, Shotaro and Stanley for your contributions! You did a great job working in an international team and offered many exchange opportunities for students on Komaba campus.

It was a joy to be a part of the GS Student Staff Team. I had tons of fun moderating academic lectures, joining exchange gatherings, and even creating our own event, so much so that there were times that I forgot that I was actually working! Working with my fellow staff members was always energizing, and with Seiko-san guiding us, I couldn’t think of a better team. Finally, it was fulfilling to think that I was helping create connections in campus. I would gladly be part of the staff again if I could! (St's comment)

As a GS Staff, I helped to organise interaction events for local and international students, such as lunchtime meetings, events and lectures. During this period in my life, I made friends within the GS community, learned to coordinate and organise, and had many gratifying moments. One particular moment was in the Quiz Night! event, in which students worked together in teams. There, I saw the true potential of an international community, with students using their different backgrounds as strengths to complement each other’s knowledge.
In reflection, I must have gained far more than I have put in as a GS staff. I highly recommend this experience for anyone interested in enriching the Todai community, and in growing as a person. (S's comment)

Being part of the student staff has been such a great experience—I genuinely enjoy the work and feel lucky to have this chance to meet so many amazing people. I’ve learned a lot from talking to others, sharing different perspectives, and just being part of this community. It has made my time here so much more meaningful, and I’m really grateful for that! (Y's comment)

1セメスターの間、GS/GSAの学生スタッフとして活動し、多くの貴重な経験を得ることができました。普段接点のない学生たちと交流の輪を広げ、多様な視点や新しいつながりを得られたことは、私にとって大きな収穫です。楽しく仕事に取り組む環境を作ってくださった庄田さんをはじめ、支えてくださったスタッフの皆さんに心から感謝しています。これから学生スタッフを目指す方々にも、この機会を通じて新しい発見や成長を存分に楽しんでほしいと思います。(H's comment)

半年間、GSの学生スタッフとして活動させていただきました。当初は、学部3年生で留学した際に現地の方に助けられた経験から、今度は日本に来た留学生の力になれたらと思い活動を始めました。しかし、Lunch time gathering やレクチャー・イベント、クイズ大会など数々のイベントの運営をサポート・企画する中で、いろいろな人や考えに触れ、自分自身も楽しむことができました。また、英語にあまり自信はなかったのですが、スタッフメンバーの会議でも様々なアイデアに刺激を受けました。こうした交流の輪が広がってくれたらいいなと思っています。
最後にGSスタッフになろうか考えている方へ。国際交流に関心のある方はもちろん、この仕事は企画を立案から実現させるところまでできる機会でもあるので、イベントが好きな方にもおすすめです。(A's comment)

I am absolutely happy to be a part of the GS Student Staff. This opportunity allows me to contribute to the organization and coordination of a variety of activities, both offline and online, that aim to foster meaningful interactions between Japanese and international students. Being able to help create an inclusive environment where students from different backgrounds can come together, share experiences, and build lasting friendships is incredibly fulfilling. As an international student myself, I feel included at UTokyo since everyone I've met here is warm and kind.
Moreover, the chance to work alongside such a dedicated group of fellow staff members, as well as Seiko-san, has been a fantastic and rewarding experience. I believe that with our joint efforts, the atmosphere on Komaba Campus will continue to be better and better. (C's comment/S semester)

Events during 2024S/A
Lunchtime Gatherings during 2024S / 2024A

Apr 11   Online Gathering　
Apr 25   Letting Sakura Go　
May 9      Experiencing ZAZEN Meditation　
Jun 24   Lecture “Australian Multiculturalism Today”　
Jul 4 GSI-Wings Lecture “Political Cartoon beyond Nationalism: The Representation of the Occupied Palestine in the Works of Naji al-Ali (1983-1987)” on Zoom　
Oct 10   Lecture “The Battle for Ukraine’s History”
Oct 16   Online Gathering　
Nov 07 Experiencing ZAZEN Meditation　
Dec 05 Trivia Night !　
Dec 10 GSI-Wings Lecture “Introduction to Art and Experimental Film: American Avant-Garde and Psychedelic Films” on Zoom　
Dec 17 GSI-Wings Lecture "Rethinking the Origin of Welfare State: Malthusianism and the Right to Subsistence in Postwar Japan " on Zoom　
Jan 08   Experiencing Japanese Tea Ceremony SADOU　
Jan 10   Students' Presentations "Japan and the Pacific Ocean"　
Jan 15   GSI-Wings Lecture "Art Using Living Organisms and Ethics”　
Jan 20   Lecture “Hate Speech and Fake News: How Far should the Law Go?”　

Events during 2023S/A

Lunchtime Gatherings during 2023S / 2023A
Apr 20 Open Chat Forum on Zoom
May 18 Experiencing ZAZEN Meditation
Jun 30 "Leading through Change: Conversation with a Maasai Elder" on Zoom
Jul 13 "Exploring TOKYO" English Documentary Film Festival
Oct 18 Online Gathering
Nov 02 Experiencing ZAZEN Meditation
Nov 30 Game Night
Dec 05 Lecture "Making Sense of Interpretation that Makes Sense"
Dec 15 Lecture "How do Countries Respond in Times of Economic Security Crises?" on Zoom
Jan 10 Experiencing Japanese Tea Ceremony SADOU
Jan 15 Lecture "What Makes a Sentence Easy or Difficult to Comprehend?" on Zoom
Jan 19 Students' Presentations "Japan and the Pacific Ocean"
Feb 16 Lecture "How Do Second Language Learners Acquire Grammar?" on Zoom

Global Studies Program Committee
Globalization Office, 21KOMCEE West B1F
The University of Tokyo, KomabaⅠCampus
gs-gsa[at]global.c.u-tokyo.ac.jp