College of Asia Pacific Studies (APS) | APU Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University

College of
Asia Pacific Studies (APS)

An Overview of the College of Asia Pacific Studies (APS)

At APS, we challenge you to tackle a vast array of global issues and develop new ways of thinking to face these obstacles head-on. You will gain a broad understanding of the political systems, economies, societies, and cultures of the Asia Pacific region while gathering relevant skills in language and information technology. APS prepares students for a wide variety of careers in government, international organizations, media, and multinational corporations.

APS students take introductory courses in political science, sociology, and economics. Building on foundational knowledge from these three areas, students pursue their major disciplinary study into upper-level courses while choosing electives from other disciplines to broaden their perspectives. The diverse menu of active learning at APS includes overseas exchange study, internships, and field studies. Through seminar classes and a thesis or report, students demonstrate their comprehensive and holistic understanding of the issues faced by the Asia Pacific region.

Areas of Study

APS offers the following three areas of study. With a solid foundation in language proficiency and understanding of the diverse cultures, histories, societies, natural environments of the Asia Pacific region, students can develop comprehensive problem solving skills and expertise related to various issues in the region through these study areas.

Culture, Society and Media

This area of study enables you to analyze the societies, cultures, and values of the Asia Pacific region to deepen your understanding of the issues this region faces. You will gain a global perspective, fundamental media skills, and the ability to view societal issues from several angles.

Global Economy

This area of study offers advanced training in economics and its various subsets. Become an expert in a specialized field of global economics, such as regional economies, inequality, poverty, energy, food, agriculture, nature, industrialization, pollution, health, and digitalization.

International Relations

This area of study allows you to delve into the intricacies of conflict resolution and peace-building as well as cultivate the ability to deal with increasingly complex global issues. Your studies will draw from international law, political science, and economics to help you develop critical thinking skills and a policy-oriented approach for success in the field.

*Curriculum for transfer-students:
2nd-year transfer students who enrolled from AY 2018 to AY 2023 or 3rd-year transfer students who enrolled from AY 2019 to AY 2024 should follow the 2017 curriculum. For more information on the curriculum and courses, visit the Academic Office website.

APS Videos

APS Subject List

In your first year, you will start out taking liberal arts courses. These interdisciplinary classes are designed to give you a foundation to build upon for when you start your major-specific courses in your second year. You also have the opportunity to personalize your study pathway and take a number of courses both within and outside your major throughout your studies at APU.

COMMON LIBERAL ARTS SUBJECTS

APU Literacy

Student Success Workshop
Multicultural Cooperative Workshop
Peace, Humanity and Democracy
Introduction to Intercultural Communication
Intercultural Fieldwork I–II
Studies of Multicultural Comparison
Foundation for Global Leadership
Overseas Learning Design
Bridge Program
Languages of the Asia Pacific
Religions of the Asia Pacific
Geography of the Asia Pacific
Culture and Society of the Asia Pacific
History of the Asia Pacific
Japanese Politics and Society
Popular Culture of Japan
Japanese History
Constitution of Japan
Special Lecture (Japanese Studies)
Applied Intercultural Communication
Skills and Practices for Global Leadership
Global Leadership for Social Impact
Japanese Art of Tea Ceremony
Japanese Art of Flower Arrangement
Traditional Japanese Arts

Introduction to Major Studies Group

Introduction to Sustainable Development
Introduction to Tourism and Hospitality
Introduction to Policy Studies
Introduction to Sociology
Introduction to Culture and Society
Introduction to Media Studies
Introduction to International Relations
Introduction to Comparative Politics
Introduction to Political Science
World Economy and Global Issues
Introduction to Economics
Fundamental Mathematics
Statistics
Statistics for Social Sciences
Advanced Mathematics

Global Citizens Foundation

Legal Studies
Psychology
Bioethics
AI and Society
Western Philosophy
Chinese Philosophy
Western Visual Arts
Modern Science and Technology
Negotiation Skills
Logic and Critical Thinking
Self‐analysis for Career Design
Diverse Perspectives on Understanding Careers
Special Lecture (Liberal Arts Subject)
Web Design
Information Processing Essentials
Programming Essentials
Information Literacy
Health Science
Media Production Lab
Internship
Career Field Analysis for Career Development
AI and Data Science
Introduction to GIS
Database Systems
Special Lecture (ICT)
Information Systems Programming

LANGUAGE EDUCATION SUBJECTS

Japanese Language Classes

Japanese Course (Foundation/Intermediate/Pre-Advanced/Advanced)
Career Japanese
Language and Culture in Japan
Language and Social Topics in Japan
Kanji and Vocabulary Skills
Japanese for Self-expression
Japanese Communication Skills

English Language Classes

English Course (Foundation/Pre-Intermediate/Intermediate/Upper-Intermediate/Advanced)
English for Discussion and Debate
English of the Media
English for Journalism
English for Business A
English for Hospitality and Tourism
English Communication Skills
English for Business B
Reading Fiction in English