{"id":24880,"date":"2025-09-17T10:00:05","date_gmt":"2025-09-17T01:00:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.waseda.jp\/fpse\/pse\/?p=24880"},"modified":"2025-09-26T09:36:43","modified_gmt":"2025-09-26T00:36:43","slug":"waseda-universitys-school-of-political-science-and-economics-to-launch-new-curriculum-in-academic-year-2027-featuring-mandatory-english-taught-courses-and-advanced-data-analysis-edu","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.waseda.jp\/fpse\/pse\/news-en\/2025\/09\/17\/24880\/","title":{"rendered":"Waseda University\u2019s School of Political Science and Economics to Launch New Curriculum in Academic Year 2027 \u2014 Featuring Mandatory English-Taught Courses and Advanced Data Analysis Education \u2014"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"table-wrapper\"><table style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; border-style: groove; border-color: #000000;\" border=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 100%; border-style: outset; border-color: #000000;\">\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\">Waseda University School of Political Science and Economics will introduce a series of major curriculum reforms beginning in the 2027 academic year. These initiatives aim to enhance students&#8217; global competencies, analytical skills, and independent learning capabilities.<\/p>\n<h6 style=\"padding-left: 40px;\">Key Initiatives Include:<\/h6>\n<ul>\n<li>Introduction of New Compulsory English-Taught Courses:<br \/>\nAll degree programs will include newly designed compulsory courses conducted in English, significantly strengthening students\u2019 English communication skills and global readiness.<\/li>\n<li>Launch of a New \u201cMathematics Program\u201d (tentative name):<br \/>\nThis program will offer a structured approach to studying advanced mathematics, including analysis, linear algebra, and probability theory. Additionally, new compulsory courses will emphasize the critical role of data analysis in political science and economics.<\/li>\n<li>Curriculum and Seminar System Reorganization:<br \/>\nThe structure of required and elective courses will be reorganized to promote independent learning and improve educational effectiveness. The seminar course system will also be revamped to better support students&#8217; academic development.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Waseda University School of Political Science and Economics (Location: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; Dean: Masato Shizume) has announced that the School will implement a new curriculum starting in the 2027 academic year. This curriculum is designed to further strengthen students\u2019 foreign language communication abilities and analytical skills through the integration of advanced mathematics and statistical education.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-24839 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.waseda.jp\/fpse\/pse\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/09\/26118e9b622840fdc7d921d566282375-610x610.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"358\" height=\"358\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.waseda.jp\/fpse\/pse\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/09\/26118e9b622840fdc7d921d566282375-610x610.jpg 610w, https:\/\/www.waseda.jp\/fpse\/pse\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/09\/26118e9b622840fdc7d921d566282375-940x940.jpg 940w, https:\/\/www.waseda.jp\/fpse\/pse\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/09\/26118e9b622840fdc7d921d566282375-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.waseda.jp\/fpse\/pse\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/09\/26118e9b622840fdc7d921d566282375-1536x1536.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.waseda.jp\/fpse\/pse\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/09\/26118e9b622840fdc7d921d566282375-2048x2048.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.waseda.jp\/fpse\/pse\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/09\/26118e9b622840fdc7d921d566282375-290x290.jpg 290w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 358px) 100vw, 358px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-24838 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.waseda.jp\/fpse\/pse\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/09\/6b545ca497137df2e74aef52efd67d05-610x915.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"241\" height=\"361\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.waseda.jp\/fpse\/pse\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/09\/6b545ca497137df2e74aef52efd67d05-610x915.jpg 610w, https:\/\/www.waseda.jp\/fpse\/pse\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/09\/6b545ca497137df2e74aef52efd67d05-940x1410.jpg 940w, https:\/\/www.waseda.jp\/fpse\/pse\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/09\/6b545ca497137df2e74aef52efd67d05-768x1152.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.waseda.jp\/fpse\/pse\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/09\/6b545ca497137df2e74aef52efd67d05-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.waseda.jp\/fpse\/pse\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/09\/6b545ca497137df2e74aef52efd67d05-1365x2048.jpg 1365w, https:\/\/www.waseda.jp\/fpse\/pse\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/09\/6b545ca497137df2e74aef52efd67d05-scaled.jpg 1707w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 241px) 100vw, 241px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u25a0Background<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Guided by its educational principle of \u201cPhilosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE)\u201d, the School has long aimed to cultivate global leaders through interdisciplinary collaboration between political science and economics. Students are provided with a rigorous academic foundation that combines specialized knowledge, broad liberal arts education, and foreign language proficiency.<\/p>\n<p>Previous curriculum reforms have introduced small-group, discussion-based classes to foster independent problem-solving, critical thinking from diverse perspectives, and the ability to propose constructive solutions. To support this educational approach, a new entrance examination system was introduced in 2021, requiring domestic applicants to take Mathematics I and Mathematics A in the Common University Entrance Test.<\/p>\n<p>\u25a0<strong>Overview of the New Curriculum<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The new curriculum, to be launched in academic year 2027, incorporates a more practical and globally oriented perspective through the following key initiatives:<\/p>\n<p><strong>(1) Introduction of Required English-Taught Courses<\/strong><br \/>\nIn addition to the Japanese-based Degree Program (JDP) for April admission, the School has operated an English-based Degree Program (EDP) since September 2010, allowing students to complete their degrees entirely in English. <strong>Starting in academic year 2027, students enrolled in the JDP will be required to take courses offered through the English Degree Program (EDP).<\/strong> Specific details, including the number of credits, will be announced at a later date.<br \/>\n<strong>In addition, a new required course titled \u201cIntroduction to Learning in the School of Political Science and Economics\u201d (tentative name) will be introduced. This course will bring together JDP and EDP students to learn together, engage in discussions, and deliver presentations in English, fostering an interdisciplinary and collaborative learning environment.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>(2) Strengthening Data Analysis Skills<\/strong><br \/>\nRecognizing the growing importance of mathematical and statistical literacy in the social sciences, the School made Mathematics I and A mandatory for domestic applicants from 2021. Building on this foundation, <strong>the new curriculum will introduce a \u201cMathematics Program\u201d (tentative name), offering advanced courses in analysis, linear algebra, and probability theory. This program is designed to equip students with the skills necessary for sophisticated data analysis in political science and economics.<\/strong><br \/>\nAdditionally, <strong>a new required course titled \u201cIntroduction to Data Analysis\u201d (tentative name) will be introduced for both JDP and EDP students, emphasizing the practical applications of data analysis in the social sciences.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>(3) Reorganization of Course Structure<\/strong><br \/>\nTo promote autonomous learning and enhance educational outcomes, the School will undertake a comprehensive review and reorganization of its required and elective courses. The seminar course system will also be significantly revised to better support students\u2019 academic growth and engagement.<\/p>\n<p>Note:<br \/>\nThe new curriculum will be introduced for students entering in 2027 and beyond; it does not apply to those entering before 2026.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Waseda University School of Political Science and Economics will introduce a series of major curriculum reform [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":8209,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[142],"tags":[139,175],"class_list":["post-24880","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news-en","tag-general-en","tag-topics-en"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.waseda.jp\/fpse\/pse\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24880","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.waseda.jp\/fpse\/pse\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.waseda.jp\/fpse\/pse\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.waseda.jp\/fpse\/pse\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.waseda.jp\/fpse\/pse\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=24880"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.waseda.jp\/fpse\/pse\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24880\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":24979,"href":"https:\/\/www.waseda.jp\/fpse\/pse\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24880\/revisions\/24979"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.waseda.jp\/fpse\/pse\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8209"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.waseda.jp\/fpse\/pse\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=24880"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.waseda.jp\/fpse\/pse\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=24880"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.waseda.jp\/fpse\/pse\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=24880"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}