From Fukui to the world - Offering learning opportunities in the basics and broader applications of economic theory to foster the ability to conduct high-level analysis

People, merchandise, money and information - the four key elements in describing the world from the perspective of economics. We offer study of a wide range of events in a variety of areas, such as business, government and communities, from the viewpoint of economics, ultimately extending to a more profound examination and analysis of current situations, with projections for the future. Research activities cover local areas in Fukui Prefecture to global areas, including East Asia, North America and Europe. With a focus on theory, history, and policymaking, students in this department mainly study the mechanisms of international economic exchange, including trade and balance of payments. Our goal is to cultivate human resources that can not only observe actual trends from a broad perspective, but also provide systematic analysis in a practical way in a small-class educational environment.

Characteristics of the Department

Global education based on theory and locality

Based on established theories of economics, we offer global research and lectures under the rubric of "From Fukui to East Asia." We have successfully conducted a variety of programs including student exchanges and international research exchanges between instructors from China and Russia.

Research activities focusing on real experience

Our research activities include visits to companies in Japan, studies of the Chinese economy in China, workshops on agricultural and food issues, and participation in community development activities. These programs allow students to learn first-hand the workings of the social economy.

Inter-departmental relationship with the Department of Business Administration

Inter-departmental subjects are offered in conjunction with the Department of Business Administration, including General Business Administration, Corporate Studies, and Bookkeeping Principles for advanced study of economics from the managerial point of view. Students acquire greater depth of understanding through the broad perspectives offered by their instructors.

Qualifications offered through this department

High School Teaching License (1st Class Category, Civics/Commerce)
*Acquirable through completion of teacher-training course.

Four-Year Curriculum of the Department of Economics

First Year
Study of the basic theories of economics

Study of the basic theories of economics is a required subject in preparation for specialized studies from the second year. Some subjects, such as General Business Administration, Corporate Studies, and Bookkeeping Principles, are inter-departmental offerings in the faculty to allow students to engage in the study of social economics. General classes offered by specialized instructors are one of the special features of our university.

Second Year
Core seminars for specialized area studies

[First Semester] Core seminars prepare students for specialized seminars offered in subsequent years in small-class settings with a 1：10 instructor-student ratio.
[Second Semester] Required subjects such as Reading in a Foreign Language prepares students for research in specialized areas.

Third Year
Seminar-based specialized area studies

Seminar I is the main program for this year. Each instructor teaches his/her own specialized research area. Students are expected to engage in certain activities, to help participate in the class discussion. This year is designed to have students involved in authentic research and start preparation for their graduation thesis.

Fourth Year
Final year research activities

This is the students' all-important final year of study and research in the university. Students work on a graduation thesis based on the research theme decided in their seminar classes (Seminar II).