Keio University Syllabus and Timetable

SEMINAR ON INTERNATIONAL ISSUES (S) (ENGLISH4)

SubtitleEnglish Seminar in Business and Society: Social Science (Historical) Methodologies and Their Use in the Analysis of the Business World
Lecturer(s)KURASHIGE, JEFFREY Y.
Credit(s)2
Academic Year/Semester2023 Fall
Day/PeriodWed.5
CampusMita
Class FormatFace-to-face classes (conducted mainly in-person)
Registration Number18465
Faculty/Graduate SchoolBUSINESS AND COMMERCE
Department/MajorBUSINESS AND COMMERCE
Year Level3, 4
FieldBUSINESS-RELATED SUBJECTS
Course Descriptionintensive seminar on business-related issues or international issues, using foreign languages
K-Number FBC-BC-35103-312-03
Course AdministratorFaculty/Graduate SchoolFBCBUSINESS AND COMMERCE
Department/MajorBCBUSINESS AND COMMERCE
Main Course NumberLevel3Third-year level coursework
Major Classification5Commerce and Related Course
Minor Classification10Commerce and Related Course
Subject Type3Elective subject
Supplemental Course InformationClass Classification3Seminar
Class Format1Face-to-face classes (conducted mainly in-person)
Language of Instruction2English
Academic Discipline03History, archaeology, museology, and related fields

Course Contents/Objectives/Teaching Method/Intended Learning Outcome

Overview: A war of ideas is being waged within the private sector. Efforts to obfuscate the truth collide with attempts to reveal the reality beyond the headlines. Long-Term Capital Management, Enron, Lehman, names of former so-called “high-flyers” now reduced to grim labels that serve to remind the wary of how quickly the elite can fall from grace. It is the interplay of truth and fiction in the business world—and of course the critical thinking skills needed to unravel this twisted web—that will be the focus of this course.

Structure: This class is built in two “halves”. During the first half of the course, students will be exposed to many forms of analytical style used in the social studies—and ***the field of history*** in particular—in order to (a) better understand both the language and terminology used in discussions of the subject matter and (b) improve their critical thinking skills. In other words, they will explore the analytical methodologies used in the social studies fields of anthropology, history, and sociology. During the second half of the class, we will focus on case studies to see the interplay of fact and fiction on both the floor of investment banks and in the real estate markets of the US by using the analytical tools gained during the first half of the semester.

NOTE #1: One of the goals of this class is to prepare students for study abroad programs in English-speaking countries (or for work in foreign companies). If you plan to study abroad in the future (or have already returned from such a program), this course will likely be highly beneficial for you!

NOTE #2: Class size will be limited to 20 students. The class will be “built” around discussion of the required readings, so a limited class size will enable all students to participate.

***Changes due to pandemic***
This course will be taught "in person". Please note, due to the pandemic, the following syllabus is subject to change.

Course Plan

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Method of Evaluation

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Textbooks

All reading materials will be provided by the instructor in PDF format.

Reference Books

Students will need a college-level English dictionary in either print or electronic format.

Lecturer's Comments to Students

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Question/Comments

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