Hiroshi Ohta (Professor)
Ohta Seminar (SILS)
Office: Waseda Campus Bldg #11
An age in which problems cannot be resolved solely on the basis of the interests of the countries involved...
Whether related to the environment, the economy, human rights or military affairs, there are many problems arising around the world today that cannot be explained or solved by conventional relations between nations. Prof. Ohta explained, "Non-government bodies, such as multinational corporations and NGOs, are starting to play an important role. This is what the concept of "global governance' is about."
The Ohta Seminar, which carries out analysis on what is happening in the world today, places particular focus on global environmental politics as a way to evaluate the theory of international relations and the concept of global governance.
The normal flow of studies at the Ohta Seminar includes having students share the reading of a piece of literature, making presentations on the portion they were assigned to read and carrying out discussions. Role playing, in which mock international negotiations are made, is especially stimulating. Prof. Ohta said, "We decide on a theme related to an environmental issue and assign roles, such as the representative of a national government, an NGO or international organization. The basic position of each country or organization is expressed, discussions are carried out and conclusions are reached. Students who are watching the proceedings might take part through questioning and commenting the discussions, just as you might see national representatives do at an international conference."
"My students are like my children," says Prof. Ohta. Students say that he is quite empathic when you consult him about any matter, whether it is about the seminar or advancing on to graduate school.
The discussions are carried out in English, so it may seem quite difficult. However, this seminar offers students an opportunity to take part in real-life academics in ways that cannot be experienced by simply sitting in a classroom and listening to a lecture.
A seminar through which you can experience and absorb foreign cultures and values
The students in the Ohta Seminar provided us with self introductions when we visited. They were of diverse backgrounds, and included international students from the Philippines, Korea, Nepal and Kenya alongside students from Japan. The head of the seminar is an international student from Korea. (She told us she started learning Japanese by watching the 'Sailor Moon' anime!) We asked Prof. Ohta whether the diversity of backgrounds resulted in a natural diversity of the opinions expressed even when discussing the same book that had been read. "Yes, students will bring perspectives based on their own experience into discussions. For example, a student from Kenya might talk about the issue of his country's development, while a student from the Philippines might talk about the position of minorities in Philippine society."
The students of the Ohta Seminar told us about their various goals, including wanting to find work in the future related to international cooperation, becoming a journalist in order to create a society that is open to minorities and starting up a business with a friend met while studying as an international student. Although the theme paths of this seminar are varied, we can expect that its students will be utilized as personnel with a global perspective.
One of the seminar members talked about their turbulent experiences of being born in China and returning to Japan due to the Tiananmen Square incident, then going back to China but returning again do to the outbreak of SARS, going back once more only to return due to the H1N1 flu pandemic.
I entered Waseda's School of International Liberal Studies without having ever studied in an English-speaking country. I suggest that you take a leap of faith without worrying too much about the language factor. You can learn and experience many things after you start here. People often say that the School of International Liberal Studies lacks specialization, but the process of finding the area of your expertise is what is important. I think it is an environment that anyone can enjoy and achieve personal growth in so long as they are motivated.
Hyeji Kim (Korean)
I came to Waseda University (SILS) because of its attractive international studying environment. I liked the way Prof. Ohta handled his class, which required participation and discussion. I found it even more interesting after entering his seminar because there were students from different countries. When we held debates or discussions, it was fun to 'attack' each other logically on different topics.
Alok Thapa (Nepalese)
About the Seminar
The foci of this seminar are threefold. The primary focus is to enhance the understanding of theories of international relations (IR), which include realism, liberalism, constructivism and various critical theories. The second focus is to examine how well IR theories can explain what is happening or what happed in the world. In this context, the concepts of 'global governance' will be examined in the light of IR theories. Lastly, this seminar has a particular focus on global environmental politics as one of the main case studies to evaluate both IR theories and the concept of global governance.
I would like students looking to join the School of International Liberal Studies to always be aware of international issues. I want to meet students who have a spirit of inquiry, a strong sense of justice and responsibility, a lively imagination as well as fine sensibilities. A theme of my seminar is that students become capable of identifying issues on their own and giving them deep thought. I want my students to become able to continually think of how they can find answers.
Hiroshi Ohta (Professor)
The world as seen by high school students tends to be small or closed. I chose the School of International Liberal Studies because I wanted to figure out what it was that I wanted to study. I think that this school allows you to see the whole picture from which you can make good choices. Waseda is a university where you can go all out in doing whatever it is that you want to do, even if it is to take part in club activities or drinking parties (laughs), so I really hope you will aim to become a student here!
Anri Hidaka, a senior
When I started at Waseda, I had a pretty difficult time. This was because, although I could 'read' English, I had hardly ever used it in conversation. I brushed up on my English by watching the full series of the American sitcom 'Friends' around three times. I wrote out the expressions they used and reinforced my English listening abilities. It does not matter if you do not have any experience studying abroad. You can still acquire a good command of English even after entering a university if you make the effort. I am certain that anyone will be able manage here if they want to.
Hiroaki Minami, a senior
- Chasek, Pamela S., David, L. Downie, Janet Welsh Brown, Global Environmental Politics, Fifth Edition, Boulder CO: Westview Press, 2010.
Japanese translation of the First Edition (Chikyu Kankyo Seiji-Chikyu Kankyo Mondai no Kokusai Seiji Gaku) by Takashi Shinobu, Kokusai Shoin, 1993. - SViotti, Paul R. and Mark V. Kauppi. International Relations Theory: Realism, Pluralism, Globalism, and Beyond, 3rd Ed. New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 1998.
Japanese translation of the Second Edition (Kokusai Kankei Ron-Genjitsu Shugi, Tagen Shugi, Globalism) by Naoko Ishizaka, Sairyu Sha, 1993. - Held, David. Democracy and the Global Order: From the Modern State to Cosmopolitan Governance, Cambridge, UK : Polity Press, 1995. Japanese Translation (Democracy To Sekai Chitsujo-Chikyu Shimin No Seiji Gaku) by Hiroshi Sasaki et al, NTT Publishing, 2002.