International Affairs | Undergraduate | Temple University, Japan Campus

Provides students the opportunity to design an interdisciplinary major in the College of Liberal Arts. It is closely related to political science and emphasizes issues affecting relations betwen East Asia and the United States. This major requires a variety of political science courses. It also has an economics, history, and East Asian studies component. Students must complete an internship and reach a level of proficiency in an East Asian language (Japanese, Chinese, or Korean).

Major Requirements

International Affairs Major

Faculty Advisor for the International Affairs Major

International Affairs, Political Science
Professor /
Faculty Advisor for the International Affairs major
Programs
Undergraduate

James D.J. Brown

On one level, international affairs is the study of relations between states, but it is also about the relations between cultures. While rooted in political science, international affairs encompasses the study of history, geography and society as a means of understanding the complexity of the world we live in. TUJ’s diverse and international student body brings different experiences and information from various cultures into the classroom. This spurs wide-ranging and extremely valuable discussions. Another wonderful thing about TUJ as a place to study international affairs is our access to practitioners. We’re located in a part of Tokyo that is home to most of the major embassies, so we can easily visit these embassies, and also persuade embassy staff to come talk to us. In addition, we have good relations with various think tanks and members of the government and the bureaucracy. We believe our ability to interact with practitioners and nongovernmental organizations is probably unrivaled anywhere else in Asia. Studying at TUJ is interesting and compelling, but it’s also demanding and challenging. TUJ will give you an educational experience you won’t find anywhere else in the world. Future Careers With regard to future careers, the international affairs major is specifically designed to prepare students for work with globally oriented employers. Equipped with the combination of broad understanding of the global system as a whole, as well as particularly detailed knowledge of East Asia, our graduates are of particular interest to large international companies with a presence in Asia, as well as to government agencies and transnational nongovernmental organizations. The emphasis that our upper-level courses place on independent research and intensive debate of contemporary political controversies is also ideal preparation for postgraduate research in the field of international politics.

Understanding International Affairs in East Asia and the world

Coordinator Interview

Understanding International Affairs in East Asia and the world Coordinator Interview

SAMPLE CURRICULUM

An overview of required courses.

Required Courses

Required Major Electives

One of the following

Geography of World Affairs
World History: Modern

One of the following

Peace, Conflict, and Social Change
World Economy Since 1945
America's Rise to Globalism
Superpower America

Two Political Science Electives (Example below)

Comparative Politics: Developing Nations
China: Politics and Revolution
East Asia and the United States
Post-Cold War Security
Politics of the Global Economy
International Organization
Theories of War and Peace
Seminar in Comparative Politics
Introduction to Political Philosophy

Interdisciplinary Electives (Example below)

International Trade
International Monetary Economics
Introduction to East Asia (China - Japan)
Japan Today

East Asia Area Electives (Example below)

Non-East Asia / Non-USA Electives (Example below)

Democracy in Europe
Comparative Politics: Developing Nations
International Organization
Theories of War and Peace
Introduction to Political Philosophy

East Asia Language Requirement (One of the following)

Chinese Intermediate II
Japanese Intermediate II
Korean Intermediate II

One Writing Intensive in Asian Studies at 4000 level

Seminar in International Politics

Internship

Senior Seminar (Capstone)

FEATURED COURSES

A list of recently offered electives.

The Making of American Society: Melting Pot or Culture Wars?
Foreign Governments and Politics
Cyberpolitics
Japan in a Changing World Order
Evidence and Knowledge
Superpower America

Student Interviews

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Hana Mohsin

Candy Fujisawa

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Alumni Voice

Wenzhi Liu

Company: Boston Consulting Group (BCG)

Class of 2020
Majors: International Affairs / Political Science

My time at TUJ was transformative and shaped my personal and professional future on a profound level. The diverse environment allowed me to engage with peers from around the world. Having such a global outlook is essential in today's interconnected world. TUJ's rigorous curriculum challenged me to think critically and creatively. Dedicated professors encouraged us to question, analyze, and innovate. This instilled intellectual curiosity and a passion for continuous growth. A pivotal moment was my credit internship at Astellas Pharma in corporate planning. Over two months, I gained deep insights into the healthcare industry, which in turn solidified my career interest. This hands-on experience bridged academic knowledge and practical application. Such an experience proved invaluable when I transitioned to a full-time analyst position at Astellas after graduation. Beyond academics, TUJ offere numerous opportunities for personal development through clubs, events, and seminars. The supportive community, friendships, and mentorships I formed were instrumental in navigating challenges and celebrating successes. Today, as a healthcare knowledge analyst at BCG, I clearly see how TUJ's academic rigor and internship program laid the foundation for my career and enabled me to contribute effectively to the healthcare sector.

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Admissions Counseling Office

Location: 1-14-29 Taishido, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, Japan 154-0004 (Access)
Office Hours: Weekdays 9:00-17:30 (Japan Time)
E-mail: ac@tuj.temple.edu
Tel: +81-3-5441-9800

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Undergraduate

Faculty Advisor for the International Affairs Major

James D.J. Brown

International Affairs, Political Science

Professor / Faculty Advisor for the International Affairs major