7-2. Seminar Subjects
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Seminar courses are held in small groups. For this reason, students can choose their seminar course from the syllabus and deepen their learning on a topic of their interest. In 4th year seminars, students write a graduation thesis as a culmination of their four years of study. Seminars are not required courses.
In order to take a seminar course, students must: (1) Choose a seminar of their choice, (2) Interview with the instructor of the seminar, and (3) Follow the application procedures and pass the screening process. APU’s application procedures and seminar course registration system are complex to allow flexibility in meeting the needs of students at various stages of their studies.
For this reason, it is very important to understand basic information about seminar registration.
232023 Curriculum
- 1.Students who enrolled as new (1st-semester) students from AY 2023 onwards.
- 2.Students who enrolled as 2nd-year transfer students from AY 2024 onwards.
- 3.Students who enrolled as 3rd-year transfer students from AY 2025 onwards.
Contents
2nd Year Seminars (Research Design and Methodology)
In this course, students receive an explanation of the values, ethics, and scope of the research process. Students will explore and consider various research designs and methods used by researchers and professionals in the fields of business and management. In class, students will discuss approaches for various approaches including how to carry out literature reviews to identify gaps in research, formulate research questions for consideration, use theories to form hypotheses, classify the appropriate data to be collected and analyzed, and put together a research paper. The course aims to improve students’ research and analytical skills, and is strongly recommended for students who wish to join 3rd year seminars and 4th year Advanced Seminar. (Note: “Research Design and Methodology” is a prerequisite for registering for “Undergraduate Thesis.”)
3rd Year Seminars
Students interested in going on to enroll in graduate school or finding employment in Japan after graduation are strongly encouraged to register for a small-group 3rd year seminar. Although the content of each seminar will vary, the main goal of all 3rd year seminars is the same: (1) to deepen students’ understanding of a specific field through case studies, journal articles, and debate, and (2) to master the specialized knowledge and skills necessary for writing and undergraduate thesis.
【Grade Evaluation】
Letter Grade (A+, A, B, C, F)
APM [Major Seminar]
In APM Major Seminar, students study actual cases to learn about corporate behavior and the business world.
In class, discussions are held on topics such as accounting and finance, marketing, strategic management and organization, and innovation and economics. To build up their basic knowledge, students will first research a topic designated by the course instructor, then discuss that topic in class. Students will later select their own individual topics to research, and find the best ways to solve the associated problems.
4th Year Seminars
This course aims to have students make the most of the knowledge and techniques they have gained up through their third year to write an undergraduate thesis as a culmination of their 4 years of study. Students spend a year researching a topic they are interested in, and complete their theses in the second half of the year. In this course, students take “Advanced Seminar” (2 credits) in the first half of their 4th year, and if they receive a P (Pass) grade, in the second half of the year they take “Undergraduate Thesis” (4 credits) or “Graduation Project” (4 credits). If students receive an 'F' (Fail) grade in the 'Advanced Seminar,' they will not be eligible to register for the 'Undergraduate Thesis' or 'Graduation Project' (for writing the undergraduate thesis or developing the graduation project). Furthermore, it is essential that the academic field selected for the 'Advanced Seminar' aligns with the field chosen for the 'Undergraduate Thesis' or 'Graduation Project. Additionally, to register for the undergraduate thesis, besides obtaining credits in the "Advanced Seminar" in the same academic field as the undergraduate thesis, it is also necessary to earn valid credits in 'Research Design and Methodology' as a prerequisite.
【Grade Evaluation】
Advanced Seminar: P (Pass) or F (Fail)
Undergraduate Thesis: Letter Grade (A+, A, B, C, F)
APM [Undergraduate Thesis]
Students will use the knowledge and techniques they have learned over their 4 years of study to write an undergraduate thesis. For the undergraduate thesis, students will choose a topic and carry out surveys, research, and analysis under the guidance of their instructor. Students will make the most of the knowledge, skills, analytical methods, and other tools they have acquired so far to actively explore their chosen topic. Expected learning in this course includes:
- Integrating all the information and skills learned so far to actively conduct the research / project
- Carrying out analysis and using problem-solving skills by making use of the appropriate tools
- *Must complete “Research Design and Methodology” to register for the course.
APM [Graduation Project]
Students will use the knowledge and techniques they have learned over their 4 years of study to create a Graduation Project. In the Graduation Project, students will choose a topic and carry out surveys, research, and analysis under the guidance of their instructor. Students will make the most of the knowledge, skills, analytical methods, and other tools they have acquired so far to actively explore their chosen topic. Expected learning in this course includes:
- Integrating all the information and skills learned so far to actively conduct the research / project
- Carrying out analysis and using problem-solving skills by making use of the appropriate tools
AY2025 Spring Semester Application
(3rd and 4th year seminars)
| Overview Instruction Video | Video |
|---|---|
| Recruitment Information | Recruitment Information (PDF) |
| Seminar Booklet | Seminar Booklet (PDF) |
| Rubrics | Rubrics (PDF) |
| Seminar List | Seminar List (PDF) |
| Application Schedule |
Consultation Period：Wed, Nov 13 – Fri, Dec 6, 2024, 16:30:00 (JST)
|
| Application URL | |
| Seminar Application Form |
*When uploading your statement of purpose, please do not change the file name. |
172017 Curriculum
- 1.Students who enrolled as new (1st-semester) students between AY 2017 and AY 2022.
- 2.Students who enrolled as 2nd-year transfer students between AY 2018 and AY 2023.
- 3.Students who enrolled as 3rd-year transfer students between AY 2019 and AY 2024.
3rd Year Seminars
Any students interested in advancing to graduate study or finding employment in Japan are strongly encouraged to register for a small-group 3rd year seminar. Although the contents of each individual seminar vary greatly, the main aim of all 3rd year seminars is the same: deepen understanding of a specific field through case studies, journal articles and debate, and master the specialized knowledge and skills necessary for writing an undergraduate thesis.
【Grade Evaluation】
Major Seminar I/II: Regular grading (A+, A, B, C, or F)
APM "Major SeminarⅠ&Ⅱ"
APM In the APM Major Seminar, students study actual cases to learn about corporate behavior and the business environment.
Discussions are held during classes on topics such as accounting and finance, marketing, strategic management and organization, and innovation and economics. To build up their basic knowledge, students will first research a topic designated by the instructor, and then discuss that topic in class. Students later select their own individual topic to research.
4th Year Seminars
4th year seminars form the culmination of students’ four years of study at APU. This highly specialized subject allows students to select a topic of interest and conduct focused research over a one-year period.
Students take Research Seminar (2 credits) in the first half of their 4th year. Students who successfully pass this subject are then able to take Undergraduate Thesis (4 credits) the following semester. Only students who pass Research Seminar are able to register for Undergraduate Thesis.
【Grade Evaluation】
Research Seminar: Pass (P) / Fail (F)
Undergraduate Thesis: Regular grading (A+, A, B, C, or F)
Seminar System and New Application =Detail=
| Recruitment information | |
|---|---|
| Seminar List |
|
| Undergraduate Seminar Booklet |
|
| Application Schedule |
|
| How to Apply | |
| Seminar Application Form |
*When uploading your statement of purpose, please do not change the file name. |
| For Irregular Patterns etc. | |
| FAQ |
Screening Result for 2024 Fall Semester
Related Information
Undergraduate Thesis
2024 Fall Semester
| Undergraduate Thesis schedule |
10:00 (Japan Standard Time) Mon, 6th Jan. 2025 - 16:30:00 (Japan Standard Time) Fri, 17th Jan. 2025
|
|---|---|
| Thesis Requirements |
Thesis should be submitted online via Moodle. |
| Instruction Manual for submitting the thesis | |
| Undergraduate Thesis Graduation Research II Final Research Output Format |
Undergraduate Thesis Graduation Research II Final Research Output Format |
