Acquire broad knowledge and the foundations of political science in the 1st and 2nd years, and develop political thinking skills in the 3rd and 4th years
Students learn the basics of political science in their 1st and 2nd years. In their 3rd and 4th years, they study more specialized content and develop political thinking skills through literature research in seminars and discussions with peers and professors. Here, we introduce the flow of learning over the four years.
The Four-Year Academic Path
1st Year
Study foundational subjects in political science in addition to common subjects such as foreign languages and humanities
Hiyoshi Campus
The curriculum is rich in foreign language subjects aimed at improving language proficiency, cross-cultural understanding, and cross-cultural communication skills, as well as humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences subjects to foster basic and interdisciplinary understanding. Furthermore, students can begin taking specialized political science subjects, such as Foundations of Political Thought and Foundations of International Politics, from their first year.
2nd Year
Select courses from a diverse range of subjects, including seminar-style courses, based on interests and concerns
Hiyoshi Campus
Continuing from the first year, the curriculum is organized with consideration for students' proficiency levels and adjacent disciplines such as economics and information processing. This allows students to select courses from a diverse range of subjects according to their individual interests and concerns. In addition, classes in specialized areas of political science—such as research seminars, exercises, and special research—are prepared in a small-group seminar format. By taking these discussion-centered classes, students aim to improve their thinking and communication skills. Selection for research seminars takes place in the fall semester of the 2nd year.
3rd Year
Develop political thinking skills through literature research and discussions in research seminars
Mita Campus
In research seminars (Kenkyukai), students receive direct guidance from a single faculty member for two years alongside a small group of peers. Faculty and students who share a common purpose gather to master their fields of interest, developing political thinking skills through small-group literature research and discussions with peers and professors.
4th Year
Write a graduation thesis as the culmination of research seminar activities
Mita Campus
Students choose a theme based on their own problems and interests and compile it into a graduation thesis. Many research seminars also have active training camps and alumni (OB/OG) associations. Through these seminar activities, students cultivate the horizontal and vertical human connections that are a hallmark of Keio University.
Common Departmental Subjects available throughout the four years
The Faculty of Law aims to cultivate individuals who are not only "specialists" with high-level expertise in law and politics but also possess the qualities of a "generalist" with broad knowledge. To this end, Common Departmental Subjects are established that can be taken continuously until the 4th year. In addition to foreign languages, students can also study and research subjects in the humanities and natural sciences in a seminar format. Those who master a field of study other than law or political science as a second specialty throughout their four years of university life can also receive certification for a minor.