Cross-disciplinary Program「Global Studies」

The Global Studies Program uses classroom activities to cultivate students with the skills needed to participate in an international academic environment. While the program is offered through the Senior Division of the College of Arts and Sciences, the courses hosted by the program are open to third and fourth year students from all faculties. The Global Studies Program offers opportunities for UTokyo Students to learn alongside students from different cultures and backgrounds, acquire a new international perspective, and develop the skills needed to participate in a multi-lingual, multi-cultural world. In “Praxis in Global Liberal Arts,” a required course component for program participants, local UTokyo students work together with international students in discussions, group work and field work. For students who plan to study abroad, it will serve as a trial lesson before going abroad.
class photo

Program Guidance

If you are interested in international / cross-sultural exchanges in Komaba, please attend our guidance.

【GS Program Guidance for 2025A Semester】

Schedule: 
October 6 (Mon) 12:20 - 12:50 on Zoom

Details and the registration form of the guidance will be announced here on this website around mid September.

Eligibility and Registration

Global Studies
Only degree students who are enrolled in the senior division of the College of Arts and Sciences are eligible to enroll in the GS Program. However, all students are welcome to participate in the events hosted by the GS Program outside the classroom. Those who are interested in this program, please fill out the online registrationform.

For students in the senior division of the College of Arts and Sciences:
Those who want to formally enroll in the GS Program should choose "Formal Registration" within the registration form above.
In addition, they need to register for the Cross-disciplinary Program at the Academic Affairs Division.
Please check the Senior Division website and follow the instructions for registration.

※USTEP/KOMSTEP students are eligible for the Global Studies in Asia Program (GSA).
Check the GSA website and the guidance information here.

Credit Requirements for Completion of the Program

Formally registered students in the senior division of the College of Arts and Sciences will receive an official certificate of completion issued by the Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences upon acquiring the required credits.
The certificate is proof that the graduates are equipped with the skills and experiences to play an active role in the international field.
In order to complete the program, students must have obtained the following 14 credits at the time of graduation.
* This requirement applies to those who are enrolled in the senior division of the College of Arts and Sciences after the academic year of 2020.


Course Title
Type of Course/Credits
Required Credits
Lecture Active Experimental
Praxis in Global Liberal Arts








14
Lectures in Global Liberal Arts Ⅰ
Lectures in Global Liberal Arts Ⅱ
Lectures in Global Liberal Arts Ⅲ





Seminar in Global Liberal Arts Ⅰ
Seminar in Global Liberal Arts Ⅱ
Seminar in Global Liberal Arts Ⅲ
Seminar in Global Liberal Arts Ⅳ
Seminar in Global Liberal Arts Ⅴ







Global Praxis (Advanced)
Overseas Learning Ⅰ
Overseas Learning Ⅱ
Overseas Learning 
Overseas Learning








2*
Language Classes and
Specialty Language Seminars
0
0

① A minimum of 2 credits for "Global Praxis (Advanced)" among "Liberal Arts Courses for Advanced Students" must be included. Or a minimum of 2 credits earned abroad through international exchange program/s or overseas study on a leave of absence may be included when they are approved as credits for "Overseas Learning (either from I to IV)" through credit transfer application.
② For those who participated in Hands on Activities abroad on their own, if they have earned a minimum of 2 credits from "Praxis in Global Liberal Arts", "Lectures in Global Liberal Arts I-III", or "Seminar in Global Liberal Arts I-V", they may be replaced with 2 credits for "Global Praxis (Advanced)" or "Overseas Learning". The students should make a request to Global Studies Committee during the prescribed period and obtain the approval after screening by the committee.
③ The Global Liberal Arts courses offered by the Center for Global Education may be substituted for the credits of the “Seminar in Global Liberal Arts I-V”. (applicable only to students who entered the senior division in the academic year of 2023 or later.)


Global Studies02

Curriculum

Below are the courses offered in 2025S semester.
“Praxis in Global Liberal Arts,” “Lectures in Global Liberal Arts,” and “Seminars in Global Liberal Arts” are also offered to GSA (Global Studies in Asia Progam), a program for USTEP and KOMSTEP exchange students. The GS/GSA programs provide opportunities to study together with students from different countries and cultural backgrounds. The courses are offered in either English or other non-Japanese languages (marked with an ◆).
 
GS/GSA Courses for 2025S Semester (April to August 2025)
*The courses for 2025A Semester will be announced around mid September.
  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
成田 大樹 
/ NARITA Daiju
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 PEAK students."
QR_PEAK2025SThe 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).

Members of 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
北村 朋史
'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
広瀬 友紀
'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
小田紹介写真
'Komaba is bigger than you think. As big as the World? Perhaps!'

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

GS Student Staff Members

IMG_4426
The GS Student Staff Members are employed by the GS/GSA program to support events organized by the GS/GSA program committee. In addition, the members of 2025S Semester planned and hosted regular Lunchtime Gatherings and a Night Gathering for international and Japanese students.
Thank you very much to Nayoung, Seiji, Shotaro, Yuina and Yuxin 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 great experience working as a GS student staff, helping organize various events and meeting all kinds of people that otherwise I would never have the chance to talk to. This was a great opportunity to expand connections, encounter new ideas and make Komaba into a place of exchanges and interactions between Japanese and International students who are otherwise often isolated from each other. I would like to warmly thank my fellow student staff, and Seiko-san who all contributed to organizing wonderful events and turning it into a meaningful and fun experience for everyone.  (SF's comment)

Being a GS/GSA student member has been one of the best parts of my time at the University of Tokyo.
 I learned a lot through this experience: how to organize events, how to communicate more effectively, and how to connect with people. I also made many great friends. When I first joined, I was really shy and found it hard to speak up. But everyone was so kind and encouraging, and little by little, I became more confident. Now, I actually enjoy talking to people from different backgrounds and have also become more honest with myself.  If you're thinking about applying, I highly recommend it. It’s fun, meaningful, and helps you grow in a really positive way. This experience made a big difference in my life, and I believe it can do the same for you. Don’t miss the chance! (YZ's comment)

I found working as a GS staff to be a highly rewarding experience. I made many fond memories organising events like Random Kitchen, lunchtime gatherings, and lecture events. The greatest takeaway was making friends with my fellow GS staff, as well as students from all around the world. By creating opportunities for intercultural interaction, I believe that I was able to contribute to a positive globalisation in UTokyo. I am very grateful to Seiko-san, my fellow GS staff and everyone who participated in the events. I cannot recommend this opportunity enough to those who want to make a meaningful contribution to the campus community. (SK's comment, 2024A)

GSスタッフとしての活動はとても貴重な経験になりました。何か新しいことをしたいと思い始めた活動でしたが、最初は英語にも自信がなく、不安でいっぱいでした。しかし先生やスタッフメンバーの優しさとあたたかさに支えられ、楽しくイベント運営を行うことができました。イベントの中で参加者の皆さんが笑顔で会話し、コミュニケーションの輪を広げていく姿を見るのも嬉しかったです。また自分自身も多様なバックグラウンドを持つ人と多く関わることができ、興味深いお話しがたくさんできました。
初対面の人と英語でコミュニケーションをする、となると遠慮してしまう人もいるかもしれませんが、GSのイベントは参加者全員をあたたかく迎えてくれる素敵なものばかりです。ぜひより多くの人に気軽に参加してほしいと思います! (YN's comment)
 
Events during 2025S
Lunchtime Gatherings during 2025S

Apr 17   Online Gathering 
May 9     Experiencing ZAZEN Meditation  
May 13    Evening Gathering “RANDOM! Kitchen”    
Jun 19     Lecture&Get-together “Intersectionality in Japan”  
Jul 15       Lecture " The British Monarchy and Slavery"
Events during 2024S/A

Lunchtime Gatherings during 2024S / 2024A
Apr 11   Online Gathering zoom
Apr 25   Evening Gathering "Letting Sakura Go"
Mar 09   Experiencing ZAZEN Meditation
Jun 24  Lecture "Australian Multiculturalism Today"
Jul  04  Lecture "Political Cartoon Beyond Nationalism ..." zoom
Oct 10  Lecture "The Battle for Ukraine's History"
Oct 16  Online Gathering zoom
Nov 07  Experiencing ZAZEN Meditation
Dec 05  Evening Gathering "Trivia Night!"
Dec 10  Lecture "Introduction to Art and Experimental Film ..." zoom
Dec 17  Lecture "Rethinking the Origin of Welfare State ..." zoom
Jan 08  Experiencing Japanese Tea Ceremony SADOU
Jan 10  Students' Presentations "Japan and the Pacific Ocean"
Jan 15  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

Inquiries

Information on upcoming events can be found on the Global Komaba Website and the GO Twitter.
 
If you have questions about the program, please feel free to contact:
 
Global Studies Program Committee
Globalization Office, 21KOMCEE West B1F
The University of Tokyo, KomabaⅠCampus
gs-gsa[at]global.c.u-tokyo.ac.jp