2. About the College of Asia Pacific Studies

The College of Asia Pacific Studies, drawing on the paradigm shift of the 21st century turbulent global society, aims to promote a comprehensive understanding of the diverse societies, political conditions, economies, cultures and their uniqueness, in the Asia Pacific region; will provide the educational environment that enables the acquisition of problem-solving and practical skill based on foundational and specialized knowledge in the social sciences to solve the diverse problems the Asia-Pacific region faces. At the same time, we aim to nurture students trained with expertise, empathy, communication skills, and integrity (noble-minded and strength of core) to contribute to the sustainable development and coexistence in the region.

Degree Title: Bachelor of Social Science

To accomplish the educational and research objectives set forth in APU's regulations, the College of Asia Pacific Studies has established graduation requirements and a diploma policy as follows.

(Diploma Policy)

The College of Asia Pacific Studies has established the following six educational goals to ensure students acquire in-depth knowledge of the Asia Pacific region and the ability to be active in the international community, including the Asia Pacific region, which will drive the paradigm shift in global society in the turbulent 21st century.

• 1. Gain the ability to comprehensively and deeply understand the diverse and unique societies, politics, economies, and cultures of the Asia Pacific region.
• 2. Master the basic knowledge, theories, and methodologies of the social sciences, especially sociology, political science, and economics during the first and second years of study.
• 3. Understand the specialized knowledge, theories, and methodologies in one of the three areas of specialized studies: “Culture, Society, and Media,” “International Relations,” and “Global Economy.”
• 4. Acquire problem-solving and practical skills by facing the reality of the Asia Pacific region.
• 5. Become able to study a topic (sub-discipline) from a specialized perspective in a small group seminar and write a graduation thesis or report that reflects the results of the student’s four years of study.
• 6. Gain empathy, communication skills, and personal integrity needed for leadership in the Asia Pacific region through 4 years of experiences in a multicultural environment both on and off campus with the goal of contributing to sustainable development and coexistence in the Asia Pacific region.

(Graduation Requirements)

• Students are required to enroll for the designated period and to complete at least 124 credits in accordance with the following course registration requirements.
• Complete at least 40 credits of Common Education Subjects in accordance with the following requirements:
  
  • 1)Japanese-basis students must complete at least 24 credits of English Language Education Subjects,and English-basis students must complete at least 16 credits of Japanese Language Education Subjects. However, students may be exempted from taking Language Education Subjects based on their language ability upon entry.
  • 2)Earn credit for at least one introductory-level course from each of the three Areas of Study, a total of 6 credits.
• Complete at least 62 credits of APS Major Education Subjects including at least 36 credits of Major Education Subjects in the registered Area of Study.
• Earn credits for Graduation Research II.
• Domestic Japanese-basis students must complete at least 20 credits of Common Liberal Arts Subjects or Major Education Subjects offered in English.
• Detailed course registration requirements shall be stipulated in the College of Asia Pacific Studies College Regulations.

(1) Curriculum Design Policy

(Subject Placement: General)

• The curriculum is divided into Common Education Subjects and Major Education Subjects, and is designed for four years.

(Subject Placement: Common Education Subjects)

• Common Education Subjects are divided into Language Education Subjects and Common Liberal Arts Subjects. The Language Education Subjects consist of English, Japanese, AP languages (Chinese, Korean, Malay/Indonesian, Spanish, Thai or Vietnamese) and Specific Subjects.
• Common Liberal Arts Subjects consist of APU Literacy Subjects, Introduction to Major Subjects, and Global Citizens Foundation Subjects.
• The APU literacy field is a group of subjects for students to deepen their knowledge in Japan and overseas, which is necessary for students of this university, and acquire a methodology for deepening their learning by making the most out of the multicultural environment of this university.
• The Introduction to Major Studies field is a subject group that will introduce specialized learning in each college.
• The Global Citizens Foundation field will be assigned as a diverse group of subjects that do not fall within the framework of undergraduate specialized education for cultivating rich knowledge and culture in the fields of humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences.

(Subject Placement: Major Education Subjects)

• Major Education Subjects are divided into Core Subject, Seminar Subjects, APS Common A Subjects, APS Common B Subjects, and Subjects for the Area of Study. Major Education Subjects for the Area of Study are divided into: International Relations; Culture, Society, and Media; and Global Economy.
• Core Subject is designed for understanding the ideal and objective of APS.
• Subjects for the Area of Study are designed for developing the knowledge in the three Areas of Study which make up APS education.
• Seminar subjects are a group of subjects that allow students to conduct research in specialized fields in small classes based on their respective topics, individually optimized to meet their interests.
• Common Subjects are designed for acquiring valuable knowledge and experiences through courses which include a Special Lecture, a Field Study and so on, not specific to a particular Area of Study.

(Curriculum Map)

*Curriculum Map (or Curriculum Alignment Matrices), is available on the APU Website.

(2) Curriculum Implementation Policy

(Subject Offerings)

• Offer subjects listed in the College of Asia Pacific Studies College Regulations in both Japanese and English in principle, to allow students to enroll, take classes and graduate in either English or Japanese while also learning the non-basis language.
• Expand the Off-campus Study Programs offered in accordance with both University and APS policies.
• All subjects are offered in the semester, day and period which maximize students’ systematic study.

(Subject Operation)

• All subjects are operated in compliance with the Standards for Establishment of Universities and the University Regulations. In addition, based on the methods applied in the subject, factors such as the educational outcomes and necessary studies outside of the class hours are also taken into account.
• Each subject is operated by following the Curriculum Map and the syllabus is designed to guide students in achieving the Learning Goals and Learning Objectives set for the subject.
• All subjects are aimed at achieving Multi-cultural Cooperative Learning by taking full advantage of APU’s multicultural environment and education, which encourages interactive collaboration between International and Domestic students.
• Instructors are required to comply with guidelines related to the subject operation including administration of Class Evaluation Surveys, response to Grade Inquiries, and holding Make-up Classes.

The College of Asia Pacific Studies aims to cultivate human resources that, upon comprehensive understanding of the diverse political conditions, economies, societies, and cultures of the Asia Pacific region, will 1) achieve basic and advanced knowledge in such areas as global society, environment and development, and tourism; 2) develop language, communication, and problem-solving abilities; and 3) through understanding of the diverse problems facing the Asia Pacific, will be able to contribute to sustainable development and coexistence in the region.

Degree Title: Bachelor of Social Science

To accomplish the educational objectives stipulated in the College of Asia Pacific Studies College Regulations, the College of Asia Pacific Studies has defined graduation requirements as well as the following three learning outcomes to be achieved by the time of graduation.

(Graduation Requirements)

• Students are required to enroll for the designated period and to complete at least 124 credits in accordance with the following course registration requirements.
• Complete at least 40 credits of Common Education Subjects in accordance with the following requirements:
  
  • 1)Japanese-basis students must complete at least 24 credits of English Language Education Subjects, and English-basis students must complete at least 16 credits of Japanese Language Education Subjects. However, students may apply for an exemption, both in English and Japanese Language Education Subjects, based on their basis language upon entry.
  • 2)Complete at least 2 credits of required Common Liberal Arts Subjects in either selected Area of Study.
• Complete at least 62 credits of APS Major Education Subjects including at least 28 credits of Major Education Subjects in the registered Area of Study.
• Domestic Japanese-basis students must complete at least 20 credits of Common Liberal Arts Subjects or Major Education Subjects offered in English.
• Detailed course registration requirements shall be stipulated in the College of Asia Pacific Studies College Regulations.

(Learning Outcomes)

1. Academic Knowledge and Understanding

• 1-a. Students have acquired a basic knowledge of the global society with an emphasis on the Asia Pacific region and other related knowledge.
• 1-b. Students have progressed toward a comprehensive understanding of the area of study to which the student belongs. (Environment and Development; Hospitality and Tourism; International Relations and Peace Studies; and Culture, Society and Media)
• 1-c. Students have developed an interdisciplinary understanding of the ever-changing global society.

2. Abilities and Skills

• 2-a. Students have improved their logical and critical thinking.
• 2-b. Students have acquired professional and technical skills.
• 2-c. Students have enhanced creativity in the thought and expression of their ideas.

3. Social Commitment

• 3-a. Students have improved their knowledge of at least a second language.
• 3-b. Students can communicate adequately with others from different cultures and with different values in the global society.
• 3-c. Students can act with leadership and responsibility from a global perspective.

〔Updated Jan.26, 2021〕

(1) Curriculum Design Policy

(Subject Placement: General)

• The curriculum is divided into Common Education Subjects and Major Education Subjects, and is designed for four years.

(Subject Placement: Common Education Subjects)

• Common Education Subjects are divided into Language Education Subjects and Common Liberal Arts Subjects. The Language Education Subjects consist of English, Japanese, AP languages (Chinese, Korean, Malay / Indonesian, Spanish, Thai or Vietnamese) and Specific Subjects.
• Common Liberal Arts Subjects consist of APU Literacy Subjects, Global Citizens Foundation Subjects, Response to Social Needs Subjects.
• APU Literacy Subjects are designed for mastering the skills needed by APU students.
• Global Citizens Foundation Subjects are designed for acquiring the knowledge needed by APU students. The Subjects are divided into Asia Pacific Group, Japanese Studies Group, Basic Study Group, and Introduction to Major Studies Group. Subjects that fall into the Introduction to Major Studies Group are each positioned as required subjects for the specific Area of Study that the students select by the end of their study.
• Response to Social Needs Subjects are designed for mastering skills for addressing social needs. These are divided into Basic Skills and ICT.

(Subject Placement: Major Education Subjects)

• Major Education Subjects are divided into Core Subjects, Seminar Subjects, APS Common A Subjects, APS Common B Subjects, and Subjects for the Area of Study. Major Education Subjects for the Area of Study are divided into: Environment and Development; Hospitality and Tourism; International Relations and Peace Studies; and Culture, Society and Media.
• Core Subjects are designed for understanding the ideal and objective of APS.
• Seminar Subjects are designed for developing the knowledge and skills in their field of interest in a small-group format.
• Common Subjects are designed for acquiring valuable knowledge and experiences through courses which include a Special Lecture, a Field Study and so on, not specific to a particular Area of Study.
• Subjects for the Area of Study are designed for developing the knowledge in the four Areas of Study which make up APS education.

(Curriculum Map)

*Curriculum Map (or Curriculum Alignment Matrices) is available on the APU Website.

(2) Curriculum Implementation Policy

(Subject Offerings)

• Offer subjects listed in the College of Asia Pacific Studies College Regulations in both Japanese and English in principle, to allow students to enroll, take classes, and graduate in either English or Japanese while also learning the opposite language.
• Expand the Off-campus Study Programs offered in accordance with both University and APS policies.
• All subjects are offered in the semester, day, and period which allow students to take full advantage of structured learning.

(Subject Operation)

• All subjects are operated in compliance with the Standards for Establishment of Universities and the University Regulations. In addition, based on the methods applied in the subject, factors such as the educational outcomes and necessary studies outside of the class hours are also taken into account.
• Each subject is operated by following the Curriculum Map and the syllabus is designed to guide students in achieving the Learning Goals and Learning Objectives set for the subject.
• All subjects are aimed at achieving Multi-cultural Cooperative Learning by taking full advantage of APU’s multicultural environment and education, which encourages interactive collaboration between International and Domestic students.
• Instructors are required to comply with guidelines related to the subject operation including administration of Class Evaluation Surveys, response to Grade Inquiries, and holding Make-up Classes.

〔Updated Jan.26, 2021〕