Educational Policy of Faculty of Law（Bachelor's Degree Courses）
Fundamental Educational Goals
Through the study of law and political science, the Faculty of Law aims to cultivate individuals who have a deep understanding of the globalization of modern society. In addition, analytical, logical, and practical skills will be needed to make flexible and appropriate judgments on emerging issues. The faculty supports students in fostering a true sense of humanity through dialogue and discussions with fellow students, faculty members, and the local community. Additionally, it aims to develop individuals who can act proactively solve problems and play a central role in society.
Exemplary Students
Under Okayama University's “Fundamental Educational Goals” and “Exemplary Students,” the Faculty of Law aims to cultivate individuals who possess high-level expertise and a true sense of humanity through the study of law and political science. These individuals will be capable of identifying and pursuing their own challenges while collaborating with others in a global society.
Exemplary Students: To steadily tackle their own challenges in a global society
We will foster individuals to develop the following five abilities:
○ Implementation ability to proactively tackle problem-solving.
○ Inquiry ability to scientifically analyze and identify issues from multiple perspectives.
○ Communication ability to collaborate with others while recognizing diversity.
○ Specialized ability in legal thinking to propose concrete solutions.
○ Liberal arts ability to support flexible and appropriate judgment.
Policy for Graduation Certification and Degree Awarding (Degree Policy)
Based on the Faculty's “Fundamental Educational Goals,” in order to cultivate exemplary students as listed above, the Faculty of Law will confer a bachelor's degree on students who have been enrolled for the prescribed period, acquired the abilities as listed below, and earned the required credits through the completion of the courses set by the Faculty.
Abilities acquired: Implementation Ability, Inquiry Ability, Communication Ability, Specialization Ability, Liberal Arts Ability
【Implementation Ability】Implementation ability to proactively tackle problem-solving
This is the ability to independently judge and solve issues related to law and political science that arise in modern society.
【Inquiry Ability】Inquiry ability to scientifically analyze and identify issues from multiple perspectives
This is the ability to comprehensively understand various issues in a globalizing modern society from historical and international perspectives and to scientifically analyze, judge, and identify specific problems that need to be addressed with the knowledge of law and political science.
【Communication Ability】Communication ability to collaborate with others while recognizing diversity
This is the ability to acquire communication skills that enable meaningful collaboration with diverse individuals in a global and digital society, as well as an international perspective that values diversity and inclusiveness for coexistence and co-creation. The ability to present one's own opinions logically and act appropriately is also emphasized.
【Specialized Ability】Specialized ability in legal thinking to propose concrete solutions
This is the ability to develop legal thinking skills(a legal mind) to address practical issues related to law and politics and to propose solutions to specific problems.
【Liberal Arts Ability】Liberal arts ability to support flexible and appropriate judgment
This is the ability to develop a broad liberal arts education to make flexible and appropriate judgments on issues arising from different social groups and activities, along with a deep understanding of a globalizing modern society.
Policy for Curriculum Planning and Implementation (Curriculum Policy)
In order to develop individuals who have mastered the abilities listed in the Policy for Graduation Certification and Degree Awarding (Degree Policy), the Faculty of Law organizes and implements curricula based on the following educational policies and principles.
Education Implementation Policy
We provide education that helps students develop the ability to continue learning autonomously toward the realization of a sustainable society.
Education Principles
We provide the following educational content, from the perspective of proactive, interactive, and deep learning, with emphasis on what students are able to do, rather than what has been taught.
【General Education】
General education aims to develop general knowledge and skills required of all students, and provides practical activities for learning with other students to mature and create together.
The curriculum provides the knowledge and skills necessary to solve issues in international and local communities, enabling students to engage in dialogue and collaboration with people of varying perspectives.
【Specialized Education】
Specialized education provides students with opportunities to deepen their understanding of content and to integrate and create knowledge in different specialized fields by offering a curriculum based on a systematic approach.
The curriculum provides various learning options, such as small-group education in each academic year, to enable students, through their mutual enhancement, to acquire specialized knowledge and skills in law and political science, in order to develop legal thinking skills(a legal mind) to address practical issues in society.
Department of Law (Day Time Course)
［Specific Course Structure］
In this course, first-year students primarily take introductory subjects within the “Basic Law and Politics Subjects,” and in the second year, they move on to the “Foundational Law and Politics Subjects.” In the third and fourth years, they study the “Global Law and Politics Subjects.” All students must take these subjects. In addition, specialized subjects, mainly assigned from the third year onwards, are divided into three study tracks: the “Public Law and Policy track” for aspiring public servants, the “Business Law track” for those aiming to work in private companies, and the “Legal Services Course” for future legal professionals. Each track has core subjects for students' systematic learning.
Moreover, the course implements small-sized classes each academic year for students to deepen their understanding of law and political science, develop the ability to identify important issues, think and express for themselves, and acquire the-communication ability to think together. In the first year, the small-group class called “First year Seminar,” serves as an introduction to law and political science as well as a guide for student life. The second year “Seminar I” provides a foundation for further study in the third and fourth years through individual reports and group discussions on major fields of law and political science. “Seminar II” is for third- and fourth-year students who have already made progress in their studies. It offers an opportunity to deepen their specialized knowledge acquired in the lectures through group reports and discussions on various major fields of study of law and political science.
Department of Law (Evening Course)
［Specific Course Structure］
The curriculum of this course follows a four-year integrated education system, allowing students to take major courses from the first year and engage in systematic learning until the fourth year. The course includes the “Regional Law and Politics Program,” aimed at developing individuals who will play a central role in regional revitalization. In the second and third/fourth years, a standard curriculum, such as “Cross-listed Subjects” is introduced, which allows students to take courses from the Faculty of Economics and the Faculty of Law. In addition, small-sized classes such as the “First Year Seminar” in the first year and “Seminar” in the third and fourth years are offered. Many other small-sized lessons are also conducted. Students can take up to 45 credits of daytime course lectures for major courses, allowing them to select a curriculum that suits their learning environments.
【Language Education】
Language education is provided to enhance the language abilities necessary for living in a global society.
The curriculum provides students with opportunities to study English and develop the integrated language skills of listening, reading, speaking, and writing. Students may also learn a second foreign language (international students have opportunities to learn Japanese) through subjects designed to promote cross-cultural understanding. In addition, there are opportunities to learn languages not only in the regular curriculum but also in extracurricular activities.
Educational Methods
Educational methods: the aforementioned educational content is provided in the following ways.
(1) Educational methods are used to help students proactively expand their potential.
General education, specialized education, and language education are provided for students to expand their potential by understanding others and learning from one another.
(2) An educational system is offered that takes full advantage of the unique features of the university.
For all courses, this educational system enables students to, while respecting their own specialties, collaborate with others in different specialized fields to think, take action, and create something new, while learning from each other.
(3) Practical educational programs tailored to the development of the students are provided.
From undergraduate to postgraduate, students are offered study abroad programs, internships, and practicums in real-world settings connected to their region and the world.
Academic Performance Evaluation Policy
In the Faculty of Law, the grading criteria and methods in the syllabus are clearly specified in advance. The student’s academic achievements are assessed on these criteria.
More specifically, a combination of methods such as exams, reports, presentations, and class participation is used according to the format of the subjects. This rigorous assessment ensures that students have acquired basic knowledge of law, political science, and other related subjects and that they have developed the necessary thinking, analytical, and communicative skills to identify and solve problems with the knowledge they have gained.
Extracurricular Education Policy
Students are provided with extracurricular activities to enable them to understand their personal development beyond classroom learning.