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-cultural exchanges in Komaba, please attend our guidance.

【GS Program Guidance for 2025A Semester】

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

The program guidance of the current semester is over.
The presentation slides of the guidance can be accessed through your UTokyo account: > GSguidanceslides_2025A
(For UTokyo members only.  Please log into your university account first.)

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 2025A 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 2025A Semester (October 2025 to February 2026)
  Course Title Instructor Subtitle Day, Period
  グローバル教養実践演習(2)/
Praxis in Global Liberal Arts (2)
小田 博宗
/ ODA Hiromune
Advertising a Language:
 How can we make our life and world better?
火5 / Tue 5
  グローバル教養特別講義 II/
Lectures in Global Liberal Arts II
ROLAND Douglas Psychology of Language 水3 / Wed 3
  グローバル教養特別講義 III (3)/
Lectures in Global Liberal Arts III (3)
幕内 充
/ MAKUUCHI Michiru
brain mechanisms of symbolic cognition 水5 / Wed 5
  グローバル教養特別演習 II (1) /
Seminar in Global Liberal Arts II (1)
成田 大樹
/ NARITA Daiju
Environmental Economics 木1 / Thu 1
  グローバル教養特別演習 II (2) /
Seminar in Global Liberal Arts II (2)
GIRAUDOU Isabelle Development and the Environment 月4/ Mon 4
  グローバル教養特別演習 II (3) /
Seminar in Global Liberal Arts II (3)
前田 章
/ MAEDA Akira
Mathematical optimization in Operations Research 火2 / Tue 2
  グローバル教養特別演習 II (4) /
Seminar in Global Liberal Arts II (4)
キハラハント 愛
/ KIHARA-HUNT Ai
United Nations Peace Operations - norms, evolution, achievements, challenges and future  水2 / Wed 2
  グローバル教養特別演習 II (5) /
Seminar in Global Liberal Arts II (5)
BROWN Trent Contemporary India 月4/ Mon 4
  グローバル教養特別演習 II (6) /
Seminar in Global Liberal Arts II (6)
小川 啓一
/ OGAWA Keiichi
Role of International Organizationsfor Education Development 集中 / Intensive
  グローバル教養特別演習 II (7) /
Seminar in Global Liberal Arts II (7)
KUHN Felix Research Methods and Japanese Foreign Policy 木2 / Thu 2
  グローバル教養特別演習 II (8) /
Seminar in Global Liberal Arts II (8)
高橋 史子
/ TAKAHASHI Fumiko
Immigrants and Education in Multicultural Japan 水4 / Wed 4
  グローバル教養特別演習 II (9) /
Seminar in Global Liberal Arts II (9)
KUHN Felix Diplomacy: History and Practice 金2 /  Fri 2
  グローバル教養特別演習 II (10) /
Seminar in Global Liberal Arts II (10)
ROBERTS Mark Contemporary Japanese Film and Anime 火3 / Tue 3
グローバル教養特別演習 II (11) /
Seminar in Global Liberal Arts II (11)
李 英蘭
/ LEE Young-ran
韓国の社会・文化に関する文学作品を読む 金4 / Fri 4
グローバル教養特別演習 II (12)a /
Seminar in Global Liberal Arts II (12)a
松田 葉月
/ MATSUDA Hazuki
Seminario sobre Estudios Latinoamericanos 木2 / Thu 2
グローバル教養特別演習 II (12)b /
Seminar in Global Liberal Arts II (12)b
松田 葉月
/ MATSUDA Hazuki
Seminario sobre Estudios Latinoamericanos 木2 / Thu 2
グローバル教養特別演習 II (13) /
Seminar in Global Liberal Arts II (13)
BELOUAD Chris Écrire l’Histoire en France au XXe siècle 水4 / Wed 4
  グローバル教養特別演習 II (14) /
Seminar in Global Liberal Arts II (14)
中井 真木
/ NAKAI Maki
The Story of Kimono: Fashion and Tradition 月2 / Mon 2
  グローバル教養特別演習 II (21) /
Seminar in Global Liberal Arts II (21)
WOODWARD Jonathan Chemistry For Environmental Sciences 木3 / Thu 3
  グローバル教養特別演習 II (22) /
Seminar in Global Liberal Arts II (22)
内田 さやか
/ UCHIDA Sayaka
Introduction to Inorganic Chemistry 水3 / Wed 3
  グローバル教養特別演習 II (23) /
Seminar in Global Liberal Arts II (23)
山川隆、八村敏志、平山和宏、鈴木道生
/ YAMAKAWA Takashi, HACHIMURA Satoshi, HIRAYAMA Kazuhiro, SUZUKI Michio
Food Safety and Risk Analysis 火4 / Tue 4
  グローバル教養特別演習 II (42) /
Seminar in Global Liberal Arts II (42)
牛島 仁
/ USHIJIMA Hitoshi
--- 水4 / Wed 4

グローバル教養特別演習 II (43) /
Seminar in Global Liberal Arts II (43)
WAKEMAN WileyThe Good Life火3 / Tue 3
  グローバル教養特別演習 IV (1)/
Seminar in Global Liberal Arts IV (1)
東 大作
/ HIGASHI Daisaku
Challenges of Mediation and Peacebuilding: How to makea peace in the time of division
和平調停と平和構築の課題 ~分断の時代に、どう平和を作るのか~
(A2)
木4-5 / Thu 4-5

  グローバル教養特別演習 IV (2)/
Seminar in Global Liberal Arts IV (2)
勝又 幹英
/ KATSUMATA Mikihide
スタートアップとヴェンチャーキャピタル:
 Start-up and Venture Capital
火2 / Tue 2

Details such as classrooms, course objectives and schedule are within the "Academic Program for PEAK students."
QR_peak2025aThe 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

学生スタッフ写真まとめ
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 2025A Semester planned and hosted regular Lunchtime Gatherings and a Night Gathering for international and Japanese students.
Thank you very much to Misaki, Nayoung, Seiji, 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.
I greatly enjoyed working as a GS student staff member, helping to organize various events that allowed me to meet people from a wide range of backgrounds. I believe these events contributed to making Komaba a place of exchange and interaction between Japanese and international students, who are otherwise often isolated from one another. At Komaba, students tend to spend most of their time with peers from similar backgrounds or academic fields, so our events created valuable opportunities for people to connect with others they might not normally meet.  (SF)

As a student staff member who has worked for the GS/GSA program for over one year, I have realized how important this program is, as it gives local students and international students a chance to interact with each other and learn about different cultures. As a student, not only as a staff member, I also really appreciate this opportunity to learn how to work with people from different backgrounds and to become more inclusive. (YZ)

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)

As a GS student staff member, I had many opportunities to be involved in planning and running events that encouraged interaction between Japanese and international students. I took on roles such as moderating lunchtime gatherings, supporting evening events, and helping shape new ideas for student交流 activities. 
Before starting, I was honestly a little nervous about taking on these responsibilities, especially since many of the roles required communication, coordination, and speaking in front of others. However, throughout the semester, I received a great deal of support from fellow student staff members and from Seiko-san and other staff in the GS team. Thanks to this supportive environment, I felt comfortable trying new things, asking questions, and gradually gaining confidence.
 Through this experience, I was able to see myself learning and improving - not only in event planning and moderation, but also in teamwork and cross-cultural communication. Being part of GS student staff was a valuable and encouraging experience that helped me grow both personally and academically. (NK, 2025S)

GSスタッフとして今学期の複数のイベントに関わり、東大のキャンパスが多様性に溢れていることを実感させられました。1年生の頃から参加していたLunch time Gatheringのorganizerを務めたり、伝統音楽のイベントでは司会と同時に通訳で貢献したりすることができ、充実したセメスターとなりました。4月以降、さらにGSスタッフによるイベントが拡大することを期待しています (MH)
 
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 X.
 
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