Three Policies of the Department of Political Science

The Department of Political Science in the Faculty of Law aims to go beyond simply training future politicians and public servants, and instead to cultivate the ability to consider individual actions and events in relation to society as a whole and to situate them appropriately in line with Keio University’s Diploma Policy. Students who achieve these goals at a high level, acquire the knowledge, attitudes, and abilities outlined below, and fulfill the prescribed curricular requirements will be awarded the Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) degree.

  (1) Acquisition of Specialized Knowledge and Skills

Students acquire specialized knowledge in political science, enabling them to accurately analyze a wide range of contemporary and historical social phenomena and issues from a political science perspective, and to make creative and comprehensive judgments.  

  (2) Acquisition of Knowledge Across a Broad Range of Fields

Students broaden their intellectual interests and develop interdisciplinary, progressive, and creative thinking by acquiring extensive knowledge not only in political science but also in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences.  

  (3) Acquisition of Language and Communication Skills for International Success

In addition to specialized knowledge in political science, students develop advanced language proficiency and expressive abilities, enabling them to communicate their perspectives and exchange views with diverse people and societies, thereby expanding their activities onto an international stage.  

The Department of Political Science in the Faculty of Law (Bachelor of Laws [LL.B.]) systematically organizes a curriculum comprising both general education subjects—including foreign languages and subjects in the humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences—and major subjects in political science, which consist of foundational subjects and sequential subjects, to cultivate the qualities and abilities outlined in the Diploma Policy.

Within this curriculum framework, instruction is provided through a combination of large-scale lectures and small-group seminars focused on research presentations and literature reviews. Centered on these seminars, we incorporate educational methods such as active learning, fieldwork, and Project-Based Learning (PBL).

Learning outcomes related to the defined competency objectives are evaluated under the university-wide assessment framework. In addition to subject-specific grading standards, evaluations incorporate a mix of quantitative and qualitative indicators—both direct and indirect—such as surveys and questionnaires.

(1) The curriculum fosters students who acquire specialized knowledge and are capable of functioning as experts in political science with the goal of cultivating the ability to consider individual actions and events in relation to society as a whole and to situate them appropriately. To this end, a wide range of major subjects is offered throughout the four-year program. These subjects are structured to allow students to begin specialized study from their first year and to progress step by step from introductory to advanced levels. A diverse selection of subjects enables students to choose subjects according to their individual interests. In addition, small-group education is enhanced through seminars and other subjects.

(2) To promote the acquisition of broad-based knowledge, a diverse range of general education subjects in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences is offered. In addition, a sub-major system enables students to pursue systematic and progressive study in a field outside political science as a “second specialization” through lecture and seminar classes taken up to the fourth year.

(3) To cultivate internationally minded students capable of engaging with linguistic and cultural diversity, a wide range of foreign language classes is offered, including intensive programs designed to develop advanced proficiency. Within major subjects, students also study foreign legal systems using foreign languages, engage in the reading of foreign-language legal materials, and participate in interactive, multi-directional seminar classes conducted in foreign languages, thereby strengthening their ability to apply legal expertise in international contexts.

The Faculty of Law seeks students who:

(1) Understand the founding principles of Keio University and the educational goals of the Faculty of Law, and engage proactively and independently in learning under its curriculum.

(2) Possess foundational knowledge, critical thinking skills, and expressive abilities to perceive, analyze, and make judgments on societal issues from legal and political perspectives.

(3) Have a global outlook, embrace diverse values, and demonstrate the ambition to create and lead a new society.

To admit a diverse range of students with these qualities, selection is conducted through the following methods: (1) General Selection, (2) Admissions for Japanese Returnee Students, (3) Admissions for International Students, (4) Admissions by Recommendation from Designated High Schools, and (5) FIT Admissions by Self-Recommendation.

(1) General Admission

A written examination is administered in three subjects—Foreign Language (English), Geography and History (Japanese and World History), and an essay—to assess whether applicants possess the foundational knowledge, language proficiency, critical thinking skills, and expressive abilities required for study at the Faculty of Law.

(2) Admissions for Returnee Students

To respect the educational backgrounds of students educated overseas and to foster diversity, applicants are evaluated through an essay examination assessing comprehension, idea development, composition, and expression, as well as through submitted documents and interviews that provide a multifaceted evaluation of language ability, academic achievement through high school, and motivation for learning.

(3) Admissions for International Students

To respect the educational backgrounds of those educated overseas and to admit a diverse body of international students, a comprehensive evaluation is conducted based on submitted documents, including results from the Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students (EJU) and an essay, to assess Japanese language proficiency, foundational knowledge, critical thinking, and the motivation required for study at the Faculty of Law.

(4) Admissions by Recommendation from Designated High Schools

This admissions system is based on recommendations from principals of designated high schools and evaluates applicants as well-rounded individuals with outstanding achievements in both academic and extracurricular areas.

(5) FIT Admissions by Self-Recommendation

FIT admissions seeks to achieve an optimal “fit” between Faculty of Law faculty members and students who wish to study at the Keio University Faculty of Law. FIT also stands for "Flexible and Intelligent Thinking." Applicants are evaluated holistically and person-centered through submitted documents such as a statement of purpose or self-recommendation letter, essay examinations, and interviews, with emphasis on initiative, social engagement, creativity, and communication skills.