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

A Breakdown 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.

Bachelor of Social Science
(BSocSc)
4 year program
Yearly intake
225
April & September
enrollment

Learn more about our Bachelors of Social Science

Faculty
Areas of Study
Mock Lectures
Curriculum
Videos

Faculty of APS

Dean of APS

Yoichiro Sato
Specialized fields: Politics and International Relations

The College of Asia Pacific Studies will lead a paradigm shift in global society in the turbulent 21st century through its research and education with the Asia Pacific region at its core. The college will contribute to the resolution of various problems, creation of new values that transcend national and regional boundaries, and realization of coexistence in diversity for sustainable development of the global society.

Based on a holistic understanding of the diverse society, politics, economy, and culture and their uniqueness in the growing Asia Pacific region, the College of Asia Pacific Studies conveys basic and specialized knowledge of social sciences and the applied knowledge for problem-solving and practices. Concurrently, the college helps develop specialized ability, empathy, communication skills, and integrity within people in order to help them make their own contributions to the transformation of the region.

Associate Deans of APS

Kumi Seike
Specialized field: Sociology, Theoretical Sociology, and Sociology of Social Concepts

Takuro Kikkawa
Specialized fields: Politics, Area Studies, and International Relations

Takayuki Kubo
Specialized fields: City Planning/Architectural Planning, Economic Policy, and Area Studies

A full list of faculty for the College of Asia Pacific Studies can be found here.

APU Professor's reseach can be found on Research Office's page, divided by Books and Journal Articles by faculty.

Areas of Study

APS has established 4 areas of study in order to conduct education and research for the development of wide-ranging problem solving ability and specialized know-how of the issues facing the Asia Pacific region. Studies are centered on solid language proficiency and a basic understanding of the diverse cultures, histories, societies, natural environments, and historical conditions of the Asia Pacific region.

Find a full list of all the classes available at APU under the College of Asia Pacific Studies here.

Until end of the 2022 Academic Year

International Relations and Peace Studies

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 the three disciplines of international law, political science, and economics and help you gain the necessary critical thinking skills and a policy-oriented approach to succeed in the field.

Environment and Development

Profit-driven development has brought with it a raft of environmental and other issues, and sustainable development is an urgent issue for our times. Lectures in this area of study tackle the question of sustainable development in relation to policies and efforts to balance environmental conservation and economic development.

Culture, Society and Media

This area of study enables you to analyze the societies, cultures, and values of the Asia Pacific 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.

Hospitality and Tourism

As cultural exchange and promotion of regional industries through tourism are vital to the development of the Asia Pacific region, this area of study explores multiple facets of tourism through the lenses of culture, society, and community. You will focus on the theory and practice of hospitality management as it relates to the tourism, health, service, and welfare industries.

The Hospitality and Tourism area of study received the United Nations World Tourism Organization Tourism Education Quality Certification. This certification is granted to institutions that have high-quality tourism education, research, and training programs. APU is the second institution in Japan to receive the UNWTO TedQual Certification.

From the 2023 Academic Year

Culture, Society and Media

This area of study enables you to analyze the societies, cultures, and values of the Asia Pacific 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.

Mock Lectures

Examples of APS lectures can be viewed below. Click the thumbnails to view the lectures.

APS Mock Lecture Professor Miharu Hirano

APS Mock Lecture Professor Hoang Anh Thu Le

Curriculum Overview

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.

Graduation Requirements

Graduation requirements and the subjects that students can take differ depending on the student's curriculum, enrollment basis language and status as either a domestic or international student. Graduation requirements are listed in the sections for each curriculum. Please make sure you read the "Graduation Requirements" carefully.

Core Subjects

Students are strongly encouraged to complete these subjects, "Introduction to APS" and "Introduction to Area Studies". In "Introduction to APS", students learn the approaches and theoretical frameworks of each Area of Study to gain an understanding of what will be like to pursue major studies in the Areas of Study. In "Introduction to Area Studies", students learn the methods for learning about the Asia Pacific region - that is, the subject of research in APS. By taking these two subjects, students can learn the ideals and objectives of APS. "Introduction to APS" is automatically registered by the university, but students need to register "Introduction to Area Studies" by themselves if they want to take it. Please make sure to refer to the "Core Subjects".

Required Subjects for each Area of Study

These subjects serve as the first step to a broader and deeper learning in the academic fields by providing students with basic knowledge and theories they need to understand the field. For more detailed information please see "Required Subjects for each Area of Study".

Curriculum Outline

As one of graduation requirements, students must choose one Area of Study from the following Areas of Study and then complete at least 2 credits from the required subjects (Common Liberal Arts Subjects) for the Area of Study of your choice and 28 credits from the Major Education Subjects for the Area of Study. The name of that Area of Study will be noted on their diploma. For more details regarding the application procedure for an Area of Study, please refer to the ”Curriculum Outline".