An Overview of the Faculty of Law

The Faculty of Law traces its roots to the Department of Law in the University section established by Keio Gijuku in 1890, and this year we are celebrating 125 years of tradition. The current Department of Politics, which was founded in 1898 as the Faculty of Political Science, was merged with the Department of Law under the 1918 University Ordinance to form the current Faculty of Law. Many alumni of both departments have become leaders in various sectors of society, including, of course, the corporate world, the legal profession, public service, journalism, and international organizations.

Throughout history, people have accumulated a vast store of knowledge to enrich their collective existence. While the current era of global recession is a time in which the roles and functions of societies and nations are drastically changing, on the other hand, due to this very fact, radical inquiry rooted in the fundamental nature of mankind as a “social animal” is needed.

While laws are the backbone of society and national organizations, they are created by political powers at specific times. The study of law confirms the status of human rights and the realization of the freedoms of those who live within its system, and coordinates competing values within a fluid international state of affairs. Political science seeks to draft and evaluate actual policies based on the values and principles of the times from a comprehensive viewpoint. In English, a politician or Diet Member is sometimes called a “lawmaker,” a term that integrates the meaning of learning in our Faculty of Law, which encompasses both of these disciplines.

If you bring your own hopes and dreams with you when you enter university, your time will be full of wonderful experiences and discoveries. We, the staff of the Faculty of Law, are standing by to assist you in your unceasing efforts to study, discuss ideas, and widen your circles of friendship and exchange.

Professor Juro Iwatani

The Faculty of Law consists of the Department of Law and the Department of Politics. Studies of law and political science are closely interrelated as disciplines essential for the formation of society. The Department of Law specializes in the discipline of law while providing political science courses as well. Likewise, the Department of Politics concentrates on political science while also providing courses on law. Making law the basis for rules in society requires legal students with a well-rounded education--knowledge of law and political science is not sufficient to that end. Therefore, we have a third pillar of education at the Faculty of Law--a curriculum for students of both departments, comprising a wide range of liberal arts and natural sciences courses, such as history, philosophy and subjects related to medicine and science and technology, among others, as well as foreign language courses. We strive to nurture students who have an international perspective and a strong sense of social responsibility. We expect these qualities will enable our students to go on to succeed at the front line of society not only as specialists but also as generalists and internationally-minded persons.

Curriculum at Hiyoshi Campus for First- and Second-Year Students	Curriculum at Mita Campus for Third- and Fourth-Year Students
Law / Political Science	Specialist-fostering Courses
For freshmen and sophomores, courses are tailored to enable them to prepare for future enrollment in graduate schools if they choose to do so. Moreover, course content and course sequence are organized with special consideration given to their individual learning levels and adjacent disciplines, such as economics and information processing. Seminars are offered to help students quickly gain research and presentation skills in their areas of academic interest.	We offer many specialized courses designed to let students develop their academic curiosity. The knowledge and expertise they acquire in those courses will become significant strengths in their future careers. Students have the opportunity to enroll in seminars. Each seminar consists of a supervising professor and a small number of students exploring specific topics in depth through joint reading and focused discussion. Seminar participation often also involves study trips and meetings with previous students to build strong bonds with alumni and other students.
Generalist Courses	Internationally-minded Persons Courses
Students can choose the languages they want to learn and types and levels of courses in line with their purposes and motivations. ▼Regular courses Lessons are held twice a week. Students can learn a foreign language thoroughly from the beginner level. ▼Intensive courses Lessons are held four times a week. Students can learn a language of their choice in small classes, many of which are taught by native-speaking teachers.	Students can take new foreign language courses from the beginner level as required by their specialized studies.
Humanities & Natural Sciences	Languages
The minors curriculum in the Faculty of Law is unique in that students can take courses related to humanities and natural sciences on a systematic concentration basis rather than on an across-the-board selection basis.	By joining humanities and natural science research seminars, students can deepen their knowledge of their areas of interest. Students who complete the minor requirements over four years of learning are eligible for a minor in humanities and natural sciences.

A university is a place to discover new knowledge. It is also a place to develop your thoughts and enhance your imagination. With knowledge gained through lectures, discussions and readings, you can explore new ideas and imagine what you have never experienced. This will promote your creativity and your passion for your own life development.
Visualizing what might follow prepares you for the future. In your daily life, you can think forward and imagine the consequences of your own decisions. You can reflect and envision how your action or words might influence others. You will become a better communicator and problem solver, but also your imagination can make you more considerate, compassionate and caring.
Imagine yourself five or ten years from now. What kind of person do you see yourself to be? If you can imagine the possibilities of the future, then you will be able to make wise choices of what to learn and how to realize your dreams. Yukichi Fukuzawa remarked that education, “instructs men in the principles of independence and self-respect, and enables them to form plans for putting the principles into practice.” Learning to be independent and building self-esteem through wise actions is just the beginning of your university education. From learning you proceed to imagining; from imagining you become inspired to strive for a better future for yourself and for our world.

Professor Akiyo Okuda