Establishment of the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies
in Law and Policy
In today's increasingly complex society, the legal system continues to grow in importance as a means of problem solving. In addition, the role of government administration is required to change in response to the needs of the times. To develop individuals who can utilize both legal knowledge and political thinking in various areas of society, the Faculty of Law has established the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies in Law and Policy in 2009, pursuing a new approach to legal education. Consequently the Faculty of Law now has two departments, each of which offers five programs. Students are able to acquire the relevant knowledge and abilities as a specialist in each field through a well-organized and systematic education.
The Department of Interdisciplinary Studies in Law and Policy aims to produce powerful and competent professionals with logical and legal thinking who can not only complete a work assignment, but are also able to propose, plan, and make policies that suit the actual situation of society. The curriculum emphasizes practical training such as field research to equip students with the power of creative thinking. In addition, we have built an interactive educational system via an organizational linkage with the Department of Law, providing students with multifaceted learning opportunities as well as a broad perspective on legal matters. By promoting an integrated education combining theory and practice, as well as law and policy, this department features a policy-making approach based on "a legal grounding" instead of economics or social studies.
The Faculty of Law will further develop and strengthen our curriculum system to help students go on to the Law School, or pass qualification tests to become judicial and administrative scriveners.
Unique Features of the Faculty
1. Course Program System
Considering students' academic interests and future career goals, the Department of Law offers a courseprogram system whereby students are able to learn their specialized area of law systematically. This system has been adopted by the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies in Law and Policy starting this year, addressing comprehensively the specific needs of students.
2. Small Classes
To further promote small classes, in addition to the seminars for the second-, third-, and fourth-year students, free seminars, and foreign publication readings, the Faculty offers prep seminars targeting first-year students, and interactive lectures in Socratic method, in which students are able to deepen their learning through active discussions.
3. Curriculum Guidance Center
To support students' learning, the Faculty has a permanent Curriculum Guidance Center, where volunteer students, as well as instructors, give advice to students about how to design their own curricula according to their personal interests and requirements. Students can visit for a consultation at any time of the year.
4. Integrated Program
Since 2007, we have developed "professional education" for legal professionals from a new perspective. It aims not only to provide students who have studied law with career opportunities such as becoming public officials including judges and prosecutors, or trial and business lawyers and judicial scriveners, but also to further carve out new career options in other professional fields. For that purpose, we are pursuing a variety of interdisciplinary and integrated research themes in cooperation with other faculties and business professionals.
The Faculty has launched the following three educational programs: the Intellectual Property Expert Program, which cultivates professionals such as patent attorneys; the Personnel and Labor Management Program, which cultivates professionals such as certified social insurance labor consultants; and the Foreign Language Program, focusing on law.
Page Top