Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University
Academic Information
  1. Chapter 8: College of Asia Pacific Studies
  2. 7. APS Major Education Subjects

7-2. Seminar Subjects

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APS offers 2nd Year Seminars, 3rd Year Seminars, and 4th Year Seminars as Major Seminar courses.
Under the 2023 Curriculum, 3rd and 4th year seminars are required, and students aim to write a graduation thesis as a culmination of their 4 years of study.
In 3rd and 4th year seminars, students study under the same faculty supervisor for 2 years from their 5th to 8th semester, based on the results of the application made in their 4th semester.

232023 Curriculum

  • Students who enrolled as new (1st year) students in AY 2023 or later.

2nd Year Seminars

2nd year seminars are Introduction to Research in Asia Pacific Studies and Research Methods. An overview of each course is shown below.

Introduction to Research in Asia Pacific Studies

To prepare for writing a graduation thesis in their 4th year, students try carrying out the process of writing a graduation thesis in their 2nd year by writing a thesis to completion based on a specific topic.
To prepare for writing a thesis in the humanities and social sciences field, students will choose from topics in the 3 categories below, and topics should be selected with the intention of emphasizing one of these three categories.

  • Theory and Philosophy-related: Develop a framework for thinking
  • Social Problems in Social Science-related: Consider how to identify social problems and how to solve them
  • Research-related: Actually research and consider

To write a thesis, students will carry out all of the steps including (1) Learning topic discipline (theories / methodology / ethics, etc.); (2) Formulate a question; (3) Confirm the significance of the research (significance to research or social significance); (4) Create the thesis structure: (5) Analyze and consider; and (6) Reach a conclusion.

Research Methods

This course aims to have students learn various research methods used in social science. Focusing on sociology, political science, and economics, students will comprehensively study research methods in each discipline in detail, take up specific research topics, and attempt to carry out practical analysis and consideration using various methods.
In addition to research methods, students will also deepen their knowledge of how to set a research topic, collect data, analyze it, summarize results, and of research ethics. As a result, they will gain the skills necessary for writing a graduation thesis.

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3rd Year Seminars

In 3rd year seminars, students clarify their research topics based on their studies and interests up to their 2nd year.
The content differs based on the faculty in charge of the seminar, but the goals of the course are to: (1) deepen understanding of a specific field through case studies, reading of the literature, and discussion, and (2) acquire the specialized knowledge necessary for writing a graduation thesis.

【Grade Evaluation】
Letter Grade (A+, A, B, C, F)

APS [Major Seminar]

Major seminars are required seminar-style courses that provide guidance for writing a graduation thesis. Through small-group instruction, students deepen their specialized learning of concepts, theories, methodology, etc. for analysis and consideration related to their topics, as well as participate in discussions, give presentations, and write reports.

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 graduation 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 the first half of their 4th year, students take “Graduation Research I” (2 credits), and in the second half of the year they take “Graduation Research II” (2 credits) and “Graduation Thesis” (2 credits).

【Grade Evaluation】
Letter Grade (A+, A, B, C, F)

Graduation Research I

Graduation Research I is the course taken before students write their graduation thesis in Graduation Thesis II. As a culmination of their four years of study, students select their own research topic under the guidance of the course instructor and research specific matters, concepts, and theories in line with their topic to prepare for writing their graduation thesis.

Graduation Research II

In Graduation Thesis II, students summarize the research they carried out in Graduation Research I in a graduation thesis or report.
By writing a graduation thesis or report, students can gain the ability to analyze and consider research topics in greater depth, as well as learn how to express themselves more appropriately in their thesis or report. In other words, as undergraduate students, they are expected to gain and improve their ability to select an appropriate issue to research (topic, research question, etc.), collect information, analyze and consider the issue, and express their research results appropriately. Students must earn credit for this course to graduate from the College of Asia Pacific Studies.

【Overview of 3rd and 4th Year Seminars】
4th Semester 5th Semester 6th Semester 7th Semester 8th Semester
New Application Major Seminar Major Seminar Graduation Research I [Required]Graduation Research II
(Graduation Report)
2 Credits 2 Credits 2 Credits 2 Credits
Graduation Thesis
2 Credits
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  • *3rd and 4th year seminars are all registered by the university.

2026 Spring Semester Application
(3rd and 4th year seminars)

Overview Instruction Video Video
Recruitment Information Recruitment Information
Seminar Booklet Seminar Booklet
Syllabus Major Seminar / Graduation Research I / Graduation Research II / Graduation Thesis

*The syllabus is common to all APS seminars.

Seminar Subject Class List Seminar Subject Class List
Application Schedule

Application Period - All students :Wed, Oct 1 - 16:30:00 Fri, Oct 17, 2025
Notification of 2nd application pd. for students not placed in either seminar : Late Nov 2025
2nd Application period *Applicable students only : Wed, Oct 1 - 16:30:00 Fri, Oct 17, 2025
Seminar placements announced : Late Jan 2026

A separate application period will be set in January 2026 for students who fall under the following
  • Re-enrollment in AY 2026 Spring semester
  • Transferring in AY 2026 Spring semester
  • Change faculty from AY 2026 Spring semester
  • Exchange students who will study at APU from AY 2026 Spring semester
Application URL Application Form

Screening Result for AY 2025 Fall Semester

172017 Curriculum

  • Students who enrolled as new (1st year) students in AY 2017 or later.
  • Students who enrolled as 2nd year transfer students in AY 2018 or later.
  • Students who enrolled as 3rd year transfer students in AY 2019 or later.

2nd Year Seminars

APS offers "Introduction to Research Methods" and "Preliminary Seminar (Research Methods)" as 2nd year seminar subjects.
In "Introduction to Research Methods," together with studying research methods for the social sciences, students conduct basic surveys and analyses, write reports, and give presentations. "Preliminary Seminar (Research Methods)" further develops the skills students cultivated in "Introduction to Research Methods" for their particular fields of expertise and serves as the link between "Introduction to Research Methods" and the 3rd year seminars students will be taking.
This is why taking this subject during the 4th semester is preferred and why "Introduction to Research Methods" is desirable as a prerequisite. "Preliminary Seminar (Research Methods)" courses for each of the four Areas of Study have been established, with classes offered in Japanese during the Fall Semester and classes offered in English during the Spring Semester. Please check the syllabus for detailed information because the area of training emphasized differs depending on the Area of Study (e.g., focus on reading documents, focus on field work, focus on hands-on practice, etc.).

* Subject titles enclosed in parenthesis refer to subjects from the AY 2011 Curriculum.

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)

APS "Major SeminarⅠ&Ⅱ"

The main aim of the APS Major Seminar is to deepen students’ academic understanding of specific economic social issues, including the background and the structure of those issues, affecting the Asia Pacific region through research and discussion. Students also write academic reports on a chosen topic, which is essential training for further studies. The main fields are ″Environment & Development,″ ″Hospitality & Tourism,″ ″International Relations & Peace Studies″ and ″Culture, Society & Media.″ During their studies, students will further develop the fundamental research methods they acquired during their first two years and deepen their knowledge through analyzing a range of information. Some students may also take part in surveys, interviews or fieldwork in Japan or overseas.

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 Graduation Research I (2 credits) in the first half of their 4th year. Students who successfully pass this subject are then able to take Graduation Research II (4 credits) the following semester. Only students who pass Graduation Research I are able to register for Graduation Research II.

【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
Regular Pattern & for Students Returning from AOL/Exchange Program

Seminar List

Undergraduate Seminar Booklet
Application Schedule
Regular Pattern & for Students Returning from AOL/Exchange Program

Consultation Period: Mon, May 12 - 16:30:00 Fri, June 6, 2025

Application Period: Mon, May 19 - 16:30:00 Fri, June 6, 2025

Announcement of Screening Result: Late July 2025

How to Apply
For Irregular Patterns etc.
FAQ

Screening Result for AY 2025 Fall Semester

Related Information

Undergraduate Thesis

2025 Fall Semester

Undergraduate Thesis schedule

10:00 (Japan Standard Time) Mon, 5th Jan 2026 - 16:30:00 (Japan Standard Time) Fri, 16th Jan 2026

  • *Theses are to be submitted to the Academic Office via Moodle.
  • *Theses submitted to other office or by post etc. will not be accepted.
Thesis Requirements

Thesis should be submitted online via Moodle.
It is expected that accessing Moodle just before the deadline will be difficult so all students are strongly advised to submit their thesis well in advance.

Instruction Manualfor submitting the thesis

How to Submit your Thesis

Undergraduate Thesis Graduation Research II Final Research Output Format

Undergraduate Thesis Graduation Research II Final Research Output Format

List of Outstanding Theses in the AY 2025 Spring Semester

College Year Semester Title
APS 2025 Spring Exploring the Pricing Strategies of Low- Cost – Carriers(LCCs) in Southeast Asia
APS 2025 Spring DECODING REFUGEE NARRATIVES:
EXPLORING COVERAGE AND SENTIMENT OF AFGHAN AND ROHINGYA REFUGEES ACROSS INDONESIAN NEWS AND SOCIAL MEDIA
APS 2025 Spring The small things matter: Everyday practice in the field and its contribution to military personnel in peacekeeping
APS 2025 Spring “History Has Failed Us”. The Role of Literature in the Formation of the Transnational Memory
APS 2025 Spring Perceptions and Attitudes Toward Komodo Dragons in Komodo National Park: A Survey of Indonesian College Students in Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University
APS 2025 Spring EXPLORING MUSEUM NARRATIVES: AN ETHNOGRAPHIC STUDY OF VISITOR ENGAGEMENT AT HÒA LÒ PRISON
APS 2025 Spring Military modernization: The case of the Minimum Essential Force (MEF).
The Indonesian Armed Forces’ multi-generational struggle to respond to the Revolution of Military Affairs (RMA)
APS 2025 Spring Perspectives on Non-Human Animals in Japan:
A Comparison of Animal Welfare and Animal Aigo
APS 2025 Spring Seeds of Success: Organic Farming and Local Policy in Oita and Miyama, Japan
APS 2025 Spring Rhetorical Power of Spoken Word Poetry:
Bringing Written Poetry to Life
A Performance Analysis of Sabrina Benaim, “Explaining My Depression to My Mother.”
APS 2025 Spring APU学生団体ASKAによるSDGs啓発活動における成果と課題
オンラインイベントおよび大分県中津市山国町フィールドワークを通して
APS 2025 Spring Erasing the Child:
Legal Simplifications in Child Soldier Protection Across Law, Memory, and Conflict
APS 2025 Spring Barriers to runoff prevention methods for plastic-coated fertilizers: A hierarchical analysis based on the insights from twelve rice farmers in Japan
APS 2025 Spring Balancing Tradition and Change: Contemporary Gender Roles in Indonesian Families and Their Impact on Women’s Work-Life Balance in Jakarta
APS 2025 Spring Tradition, Development, War
Case study on social ties in the coastal mountain villages of Syria
APS 2025 Spring Shaping Ethical Consumption: The Influence of Social Media Knowledge and Personal Experience on Indonesian Youth’s Attitudes and Purchasing Decisions
APS 2025 Spring INFRASTRUCTURAL FINANCIAL CONTROL
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List of Outstanding Theses before the AY 2024 Fall Semester

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