Course Name Year Term Period Faculty / Graduate School All Instructors Credits
13474:[2025 Fall]IR18‐HE301 Advanced Seminar (80) § 13475:RUIR-3701 Advanced Seminar (80) 2025 Fall Thu4 College Of International Relations YANE HARUKA 2

Campus

KIC

Class Venue

RYOYUKAN RY205

Language

English

Course Outline and Method

【+R-Jugyo】
This course will not have +R-Jugyo. The number of class hours for “+R-Jugyo” will be covered by activities related to the course.

What questions do you have about yourself, society and/or the world? Economics is a discipline that tries to understand and explain human behavior using scientific methods. If this piques your interest, come join us!

Economics is a study of decision-making. It is a broad discipline that helps understand human behavior and explain social phenomena, and ultimately, make predictions. This seminar is designed for students who plan to write their bachelor thesis using empirical tools and economic theories. We will cover data analysis methods and technique on which students are expected to base their research. Throughout this course, students will also explore and deepen their knowledge and understanding of how the study of economics approaches various issues in the world.
The main aim of this course is to help equip students with skills to carry out:
 1. data analysis for their topics of interest
 2. theoretical thinking using economics
Students are free to choose any subject area for their thesis and are expected to conduct research based on empirical analysis and economics. There is no limit or restriction regarding the topic(s) of research.

Student Attainment Objectives

The goals of this seminar are to help students acquire skills in data analysis, expand and deepen their understanding of economic ways of thinking, develop presentation skills and write an effective research paper.

Recommended Preparatory Course

There are no prerequisite courses, but basic knowledge in Microeconomics, Macroeconomics and Statistics will be useful.

Course Schedule

Lecture/Instructor(When there are multiple instructors) Theme
Keyword, References and Supplementary Information
1-14

Seminar Management Method

In general, this seminar will start with a number of sessions introducing basic economic theories and statistics. Specific topics to be covered can be decided based on students’ interests.
3rd year students: Students are expected to familiarize themselves with key concepts in economics and statistics throughout the first year of this seminar. One semester will focus on discussions of the economic approach to answering questions, covering various topics, using the assigned textbook. Another semester will focus on learning how to use basic statistics and practicing using data analysis tools, such as statistical software R. The main goal is for students to understand how to plan their research framework based on statistical methods and economic ways of thinking. Another important objective is for students to enhance their presentation skills. Students are expected to start narrowing down their research questions by studying and reporting existing literature related to their topic of interest.
4th year students: Focus will be on presenting and writing papers based on economic concepts and previous research on their topics, using empirical research methods. Students are to give oral presentations of their findings and finish writing their thesis.
Throughout the course, students are expected to present and prepare papers outlining key features of their thesis starting with a literature review, among others including a working title, background and motivation, research design and references. We will subsequently move on to structuring, drafting, revising and finalizing the thesis under the instructor’s guidance.

Class Format

Face-to-face (media-based format may also be utilized whenever deemed necessary or appropriate).
Classes scheduled on public holidays will be conducted in a livestream format.

Recommendations for Private Study

Keeping up with current developments in the world economy by reading various newspapers and magazines is strongly advised.

Grade Evaluation Method

Kind Percentage Grading Criteria etc.
Final Examination (Written)

Report Examination
(A report to be submitted by the unified deadline)

Exams and/or Reports other than those stated above, and Continuous Assessment 
(Evaluation of Everyday Performance in Class)
100

Term Paper:40%

Continuous Assessment :60%
(Evaluation of Everyday Performance in Class)
Presentation and class participation

Grade Evaluation Method (Note)

Advice to Students on Study and Research Methods

Beware of plagiarism. Copy and pasting other person or AI’s work without giving them credit is a very serious offense.

Textbooks

Title Author Publisher ISBN Code Comment
The Economics of Public Issues Roger LeRoy Miller, Daniel K. Benjamin and Douglass C. North Pearson Education 20th edition is the latest edition.

Textbooks (Frequency of Use, Note)

Other materials will be provided in class.

Reference Books

Reference Books (Frequency of Use, Note)

Materials will be provided in class.

Web Pages for Reference

How to Communicate with the Instructor In and Out of Class(Including Instructor Contact Information)

Talk with Students,Other (Separate instructions will be provided)

Other Comments

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