• upage_Waseda

    Waseda University
    Tokyo, Japan

    Founded in 1882 by Shigenobu Okuma, once prime minister and regarded as the father of Japanese national modernization, Waseda University is one of the most prestigious universities in Japan. It comprises thirteen undergraduate, seventeen graduate and five professional graduate schools covering most areas of social and natural sciences, liberal arts and engineering, with over 54,000 students and 5,000 faculty members on eight campuses, four of which are located in central Tokyo.

    Currently, there are more than 5,000 foreign students enrolled at Waseda. The number of foreign students at Waseda is the highest among universities in Japan. The university has agreements with 868 organizations in 94 countries to date, concerning student and faculty exchange programs. Furthermore, there are ‘double degree’ programs with leading universities in Asia-Pacific region as well as network-type cooperative colloquiums via the Internet, to support the student and faculty members involved in the exchange programs.

    Waseda University has a large number of alumni, about 640,000 in Japan and around the world. Waseda is famous for its distinguished graduates dispersed not only across business and political circles in Japan but also worldwide. So far, seven prime ministers of the Japanese government have been Waseda alumni. Waseda graduates are very active and influential in such field as politics, law, journalism and mass communications, art and sports. Among them are excellent entrepreneurs contributing to scientific breakthroughs and creating globally prestigious firms as well as current and former presidents and CEOs of top multinational companies. The university has 400 alumni associations throughout Japan and more than 1,100 including alumni associations within companies, not to mention the 40 Waseda associations overseas.

    Website: http://www.waseda.jp/top/en/

    VSE Season 2, 2021-22: Courses offered by Waseda University


    Application Deadline

    Mar 2 2022, 12:00 noon Hong Kong Time (UTC+8)


    Course Information

    Click on the course titles to reveal full course details:

    Number of Credits0
    Offering DepartmentSchool of Political Science and Economics
    Course TeacherAtsushi TAGO
    Language of InstructionEnglish
    First Day of ClassApr 7, 2022
    Last Day of ClassJul 28, 2022
    Course ComponentLecture
    Mode of TeachingSynchronous/Asynchronous
    Meeting TimeThu 1040-1210
    Time ZoneUTC+9
    Course-specific RestrictionsNo preparation is required.
    Points to Note for StudentsInstructor self-introduction video
    Course DescriptionThis class will be done by online (on-demand videos). Office hour will be held online (via Zoom on Thursday Hour 2 biweekly).

    The course is designed to provide fundamental knowledge of International Relations (IR). This class would be an essential pre-requirement for other advanced IR courses. For instance, the instructor will cover key concepts like three-isms in IR theory and strategic interactions, which will empower you to understand/analyze international relations. You will also obtain basic international history and background information that would be necessary to comprehend on-going international conflicts and cooperation
    Course OutlineTBA
    ※The information of the courses in the link is the information for Host University students. It is just for the information of course contents. Credits and Evaluation are not applied to APRU-VSE students.
    Number of Credits0
    Offering DepartmentSchool of Commerce
    Course TeacherSAYAMA, Hiroki
    Language of InstructionEnglish
    First Day of ClassJun 6, 2022
    Last Day of ClassJuly 25, 2022
    Course ComponentLecture
    Mode of TeachingSynchronous
    Meeting TimeMon, Wed 0900-1030
    Time ZoneUTC+9
    Course-specific RestrictionsStudents should read the assigned textbook chapter(s) of each class meeting before coming to the class. Students are expected to spend about 2~3 hours per week outside the classes to read assigned textbook chapter(s), preview/review lecture materials, and work on exercises and homework.

    It is STRONGLY RECOMMENDED to arrange and bring to classes your own laptop computer with wireless networking capability installed. In every class we will work on many hands-on modeling exercises, so having your own computational environment in class will be crucial for your learning.
    Points to Note for Students*Please note that the course dates have been changed to June 6 to July 25 and the course will be held during the Summer Quarter.

    Students should read the assigned textbook chapter(s) of each class meeting before coming to the class. Students are expected to spend about 2 3 hours per week outside the classes to read assigned textbook chapter(s), preview/review lecture materials, and work on and homework.

    It is STRONGLY RECOMMENDED to arrange and bring to classes your own laptop computer with wireless networking capability installed. In every class we will work on many hands-on modeling exercises, so having your own computational environment in class will be crucial for your learning.

    Hiroki Sayama, Introduction to the Modeling and Analysis of Complex Systems, Open SUNY Textbooks, Milne Library, State University of New York at Geneseo, 2015. Available online from http://tinyurl.com/imacsbook The Model Thinker: What You Need to Know to Make Data Work for You - Scott E. Page, ISBN # 978-0465094622, Basic Books, 2018.
    Introduction to the Theory of Complex Systems - Stefan Thurner, Rudolf Hanel, Peter Klimek, ISBN # 978-0198821939, Oxford University Press, 2018.
    Complexity: A Guided Tour - Melanie Mitchell, ISBN # 978-0-19-512441-5, Oxford University Press, 2009.
    Simply Complexity: A Clear Guide to Complexity Theory- Neil Johnson, ISBN # 1-85168-630-4, Oneworld Publications, 2009. The Perfect Swarm: The Science of Complexity in Everyday Life - Len Fisher, ISBN # 978-0-465-01884-0, Basic Books, 2009.
    Complex Adaptive Systems: An Introduction to Computational Models of Social Life - John H. Miller & Scott E. Page, ISBN # 0- 691-12702-6, Princeton University Press, 2007.
    Making Things Work: Solving Complex Problems in a Complex World - Yaneer Bar-Yam , ISBN # 0-9656328-2-2, NECSI Knowledge Press, 2004.


    We will use the following computational tools in this course:
    1. Python 3.9, NetworkX, PyCX: Python is a freely available programming language. You can install Anaconda, a pre-packaged Python distribution, which is freely available from https://www.anaconda.com/products/individual. They come with the NetworkX module, which we will use extensively in class. PyCX is an online sample code repository we will use in class, which is also freely available from https://github.com/hsayama/PyCX. Download and installation instructions will be given in the first class.
    2. Gephi 0.9: Gephi is a software tool for visualization and analysis of complex networks. It is available for free from https://gephi.org/. 
    Course DescriptionIn the last several decades, a plethora oi nontrivial collective phenomena have been discovered in real-world complex systems, i.e., systems made of a massive amount of lower-level components interacting with each other in a nonlinear way. Such phenomena include: self-organization and pattern formation, emergence of long-tail distribution, coexistence of robustness and sensitivity, collective decision making without leaders, and phase transition, or “tipping points”. While many of those phenomena were originally investigated in statistical physics and applied mathematics, they are now recognized as fundamental concepts and applied in many other disciplines beyond physical sciences. There are increasing societal demands for personnel that have a solid understanding of, and technical capabilities to model, simulate and analyze, such collective dynamics of complex systems and networks.

    Complex systems and network sciences provide powerful conceptual/technical frameworks to formulate and explore the behavior of such systems. Instead of taking traditional reductionistic approaches, complex systems and network scientists take more synthetic approaches, such as agent-based modeling and dynamical network modeling. They are now employed in a variety of disciplines, ranging from biology and medicine to engineering and social/organizational/management sciences.

    This course will introduce students to the computational approaches to study properties of complex systems and networks. Several computational modeling frameworks will be discussed, including dynamical equation models, network models and agent-based models. Python will be used as a primary computer programming language for modeling and simulation. Prior computer programming experience is helpful, but not strictly required.

    Each class meeting of this course will consist of a lecture and in-class activities. The lectures will provide basic concepts and techniques of each modeling framework and mathematical or computational analysis, with hands-on programming/modeling/analysis exercises. The in-class activities will be used for more problem-oriented modeling practices, where the entire class will work together to implement a computational model of a scientific proDiem that could be addressed by complex systems modeling approaches.

    This course will be instructed in English, and is open to both domestic and international students/scholars. pts of complex systems and networks and how they can be applied to problems in their respective domain of study, (2) learn scientific computing skills in Python , especially for computer simulation of complex systems and data manipulation and analysis, and (3) become able to build, simulate and evaluate their complex systems models.
    Course Outline1: Class 1 : Course introduction
    Fundamentals of modeling, software installation
    Class 2: Introduction to Python programming (1 )
    (Reading assignment: Chaps. 1 & 2)
    Basics, data structures, function dennition
    Class 3: Introduction to Python programming (2)
    (Reading assignment: Python tutorial)
    Flow control, developing own algorithms
    Class 4: Introduction to Python programming (3)
    (Reading assignment: Additional Python tutorial)
    Using modules (matplotlib, scipy, pandas, etc.)
    Class 5: Dynamical equation models
    (Reading assignment: Chaps. 3 & 4)
    Discrete-time models and simulation
    Class 6: Introduction to NetworkX and Gephi
    (Reading assignment: NetworkX tutorial)
    NetworkX and Gephi
    Class 7: Network modeling and analysis (1)
    (HW #1 due)
    (Reading assignment: Chap. 15)
    Basics of graph theory, network representation
    Class 8: Network modeling and analysis (2)
    (Reading assignment: Chap. 17)
    Topological network analysis
    Class 9: Network modeling and analysis (3)
    (Reading assignment: Chap. 16)
    Modeling and simulation of dynamics of networks
    Class 10: Network modeling and analysis (4)
    Modeling and simulation of dynamics on networks
    Class 11: Agent-based modeling (1)
    (Reading assignment: Chaps. 10 & 19)
    Collective behavior models
    Class 12: Agent-based modeling (2)
    Models with agent-environment interaction
    Class 13: Final projects (1)
    (HW #2 due)
    Final projects (1)
    Class 14: Final projects (2)
    Final projects (2)
    Class 15: Student presentations
    Student presentations (Final report due)

    ※The information of the courses in the link is the information for Host University students. It is just for the information of course contents. Credits and Evaluation are not applied to APRU-VSE students.
    Number of Credits0
    Offering DepartmentSchool of Commerce
    Course TeacherMALEN, Joel Baker
    Language of InstructionEnglish
    First Day of ClassApr 7, 2022
    Last Day of ClassJul 28, 2022
    Course ComponentLecture
    Mode of TeachingSynchronous
    Meeting TimeThu 0900-1030
    Time ZoneUTC+9
    Course-specific RestrictionsN/A
    Points to Note for Students Students will be required to complete all readings and to submit any written assignments prior to start of class sessions for which they are assigned.
    (Course Materials)
    一 Cases marked will be available for purchase through the Harvard Business Publishing website.
    Instructions for purchase will be provided in the first class session. Purchase of the course packet is mandatory according to university policy.
    Course DescriptionToday, the impact that business activities have on the natural environment is becoming a critical issue for companies to deal with. Global warming, the accumulation of toxins in the environment, the recycling of material waste are just a few of the myriad issues for which firms’ customers, governments and other stakeholders are demanding action. These demands create both challenges and opportunities for businesses. The objective of this course is to familiarize students with some of the main environmental issues confronting business today and introduce tools for managing the firm in context or increasing societal demands to improve environmental performance. The course will combine reference to readings on environmental issues with the use of case studies related to the impact of business activities on the natural environment. At the end of the course, students will be able to 1. recognize how business activities affect the natural environment; 2. identify challenges and opportunities that those impacts create for firms and 3. understand how these relate to overall business strategy.

    (learning objectives)
    1. To understand some of the major contemporary environmental issues confronting society and their relationships to business activity
    2. To introduce students to some of the main challenges to managers stemming from environmental issues
    3. To familiarize students with tools companies today are using to understand and address the environmental impact of business activities
    4. To enable students to understand how and when environmental issues create business opportunities
    5. To enable students to develop effective environmental management strategies to address environmental challenges and opportunities.
    Course Outline1.Course Introduction
    2.What is sustainable business?
    3.Business strategy and the natural environment
    4.Understanding environmental impactI: Life cycle assessment
    5.Internal organization and coordination of environmental strategy
    6.Understanding environmental impact II: Decarbonization strategy
    7.Decarbonization of Operations
    8.External communication of environmental strategy
    9.Business Models for Environmental Sustainability
    10.Environmental Business Model Innovation
    11.Corporate purpose and the Natural Environment
    12.Technological Environmental Innovation
    13.Decision biases and environmental business strategy
    14.Business leadership for the natural environment
    15.FINAL EXAM

    ※The information of the courses in the link is the information for Host University students. It is just for the information of course contents. Credits and Evaluation are not applied to APRU-VSE students.
    Number of Credits0
    Offering DepartmentSchool of Social Sciences
    Course TeacherHanno TERAO
    Language of InstructionEnglish
    First Day of ClassApr 5, 2022
    Last Day of ClassJul 19, 2022
    Course ComponentLecture
    Mode of TeachingSynchronous
    Meeting TimeTue 1445-1615
    Time ZoneUTC+9
    Course-specific Restrictions1st year and above
    Points to Note for Students*Note: Each class will be held online using Zoom.
    Course DescriptionThis course examines various aspects of contemporary Japanese society from historical and sociological perspectives. Apart from the widely shared view of Japan as an economic powerhouse and a society of high efficiency, Japanese society often looks something of an enigma, showing notable ambivalence between the homogeneous and the diverse, the traditional and the modern, and the Eastern and the Western. After a historical overview of the modernization process of Japanese society since the late 19th century, this course particularly focuses on four sociological topics, i.e. social class, social welfare, family, and ethnicity. We explore how each of these four topics interrelates with each other and illuminates the dynamism and diversity of modern and contemporary Japanese society as a whole. By doing so, we attempt to disentangle somewhat confusing images of Japan and acquire critical and analytical perspectives towards it. Each class proceeds with a lecture style with regular pair/group discussions.
    Course OutlineLink
    ※The information of the courses in the link is the information for Host University students. It is just for the information of course contents. Credits and Evaluation are not applied to APRU-VSE students.
    Number of Credits0
    Offering DepartmentSchool of Social Sciences
    Course TeacherYoshie HORI
    Language of InstructionEnglish
    First Day of ClassApr 6, 2022
    Last Day of ClassJul 20, 2022
    Course ComponentLecture
    Mode of TeachingSynchronous
    Meeting TimeWed 0900-1030
    Time ZoneUTC+9
    Course-specific Restrictions1st year and above
    Points to Note for StudentsN/A
    Course DescriptionIn the 2000s, Southeast Asia have grown remarkably. The ASEAN community, which was established in 2015 is attracting attention as a huge market for 600 million people. We are now seeing Southeast Asian Countries as important business partners. But Southeast Asia is a region of vast complexity-Singular but plural places. So, this class focus on the unique history of these areas, the steps for nation-state building. and the contemporary political economy and society. This course will provide students with opportunities to become acquainted with "Southeast Asian Studies "and learn many diversified histories and contemporary issues. Southeast Asian Studies is a useful tool when students try to capture Southeast Asia from a micro-macro perspective, combining with Development Studies, Global Governance and Gender Framework.
    Course OutlineLink
    ※The information of the courses in the link is the information for Host University students. It is just for the information of course contents. Credits and Evaluation are not applied to APRU-VSE students.
    Number of Credits0
    Offering DepartmentSchool of International Liberal Studies
    Course TeacherMasumi NAGASAKA
    Language of InstructionEnglish
    First Day of ClassApr 12, 2022
    Last Day of ClassJul 19, 2022
    Course ComponentLecture
    Mode of TeachingSynchronous
    Meeting TimeTue 1300-1615
    Time ZoneUTC+9
    Course-specific Restrictionsfor junior or senior (3rd year or above)
    Points to Note for Studentsstudent needs to complete the form by March 1, 2022
    Course DescriptionThis lecture will enable students to understand the history of Western philosophy from the early modern period to the present in an attempt to overcome ontotheology. Students will learn the history of metaphysics, as well as the history of the critique of metaphysics.*This lecture is delivered in real-time online sessions.
    Course OutlineTBA
    ※The information of the courses in the link is the information for Host University students. It is just for the information of course contents. Credits and Evaluation are not applied to APRU-VSE students.


    The number of credits is shown as provided by the course offering university. The credit structure at the course offering university may be different from the one at your home university. Please contact the VSE Coordinator of your home university for credit transfer information.

    Course enrollment is subject to final approval from your home university and the course offering university.