In 1886, Kansai Law School, the predecessor of Kansai University, was founded, and Economics was the subject of the School’s first lecture. An Economics course was established in 1904 and later developed into today’s Faculty of Economics. At present, over 55,000 graduates of the Faculty are working mostly in Western Japan’s commercial center, Osaka, and they are active in various fields both domestically and globally. Ever since modern Economics was first pioneered by Adam Smith in the late 18th century, it has concerned itself with the wealth and happiness of human beings. However, the modern world’s methods of mass production and mass consumption have created a great number of problems, such as gaps between rich and poor nations, trade friction, and environmental degradation. In such a context, the economic problems must be further examined from a global perspective. Simultaneously, there is an increasing demand for the younger generation to put their thorough understanding of Economics to practical use in everyday life.
Faculty’s Curriculum
Overview
The faculty’s curriculum was renewed in 2021. In the new curriculum, the specialized educational subjects are categorized into four: introductory, basic, applied, and practical subjects. Students who are new to Economics can obtain a systematic understanding of the subject without any difficulties. In the 1st and 2nd years, students will be exposed to liberal arts, foreign languages, and economic subjects (mainly introductory and basic) in a well-balanced manner. Moreover, they will acquire basic knowledge about Economics. In the 3rd year, they will choose a specialized course and study Economics more deeply through applied subjects. In the 4th year, their ability to think economically is expected to increase, and they will communicate with others, which are necessary for playing an active role in society through practical subjects.
Specific Learning Process
1stYear
Introduction to Economics
Through introductory subjects, students will acquire the following three skills needed for understanding Economics: academic writing, data processing, and elementary mathematics. They will also learn the types of problems dealt with in Economics. In small-sized classes, students can communicate with each other to understand this basic knowledge.
Introductory Subjects
Introduction to Microeconomics
Introduction to Macroeconomics
Elementary Tools for Economics
Introduction to Modern Economy
Workshop in Economics
Mathematical Statistics
Introduction to Economic History
2ndYear
From Basic to Applied Economics
Students will study the fundamentals of Economics through basic subjects. Moreover, they will learn how to apply their basic knowledge to several problems in society through applied topics. This wide range of learning helps them decide what specialized course to undertake in their 3rd year.
Basic Subjects
Microeconomics
Macroeconomics
Mathematics for Economics
Economic Statistics
Information Processing for Economics
Introduction to Econometrics
Game Theory
Behavioral Economics
Monetary Economics
Public Finance
Public Economics
Labor Economics
Economics Policy
Studies of Japanese Economy
International Economics
Economic History of Japan
History of Social Thought
Political Economy
Elementary Bookkeeping
Accounting in Commercial Activities
Accounting in Industrial Activities
Applied Subjects
Subjects in Economic Policy Major
Introduction to Data Analysis (Causal Inference in Economics)
Advanced Microeconomics
Monetary Policy
Local Public Finance
Social Security
Environmental Economics
Public Choice Theory
Demography
Law and Economics
Subjects in Economic Thought and History Major
Economic History of Asia
History of Political Economy
Economic History of Europe
Socio-Economic Systems
History of Modern Economics
Subjects in Industry and Business Major
Econometrics
Organizational Economics
Industrial Organization
Problems of Small Business
Distribution Economics
Regional Economics
Business Economics
Personnel Economics
Corporate Finance
Elementary Accounting
Financial Accounting
Subjects in International Economy Major
Advanced Macroeconomics
Economic Growth
Empirical International Economics
International Finance
Economic Development
Chinese Economy
Asian-Pacific Economies
American Economies
EU Economy
International Political Economy
Subjects Offered in All Majors
Studies in Foreign Economic Book
Current English
Studies in Practical English（International Business English）
Special Topics in Economic Problems
Sponsored Lecture
Research Seminar
Economic Study Abroad
Special Economics Seminar
Subjects Related to Economics
＜Subjects in Business and Accounting＞Corporate Organization and Strategy, Business Management, Market Oriented Accounting
＜Subjects in Law and Politics＞Civil Law, Commercial Law, Economic Law, Labor Law, Public Policy Studies.
3rdand4thYear
Apply Economics Knowledge
Based on their interests, students will proceed to their specialized courses consisting of economic policy, history and economic thought, industrial and business economics, and international economics. Through the continuous four-semester seminars, students will acquire skills on debating, presentation, and fieldwork. They will also experience role-playing and communicating with others in the seminar to tackle social problems and solve them using their own approach.
Specialized Courses
Economic Policy Major
This major studies the government’s activities such as public finance, social insurance, employment, and regional revitalization. Government policies such as consumption tax, pension, and Tokyo concentration correction affect both individuals and the whole economy. The government’s role is also essential for solving the environmental problem that the market can not address. We call such a government policy that solves various social problems as economic policy.
Economic Thought and History Major
This major studies the process of the development of the economy and social thoughts historically. For example, there was the world’s first futures market of rice called the “Dojima Rice Exchange” in Osaka in the Edo era. Today’s economy is history-dependent. The knowledge of history allows us to find a new clue that solves today’s economic problems.
Industry and Business Major
Firms play an essential role in economic activities such as supplies of goods and services, employment, and investments. This major studies the principles of firms’ behaviors and how to use and apply business data, which helps understand the mechanism of various phenomena in business.
International Economy Major
This major studies the global economy where humans, goods, services, and money move across countries. Students study the world economy’s mechanism through international trade on movements of goods and services and international finance on those of money. Students also study the individual economy like China and India that have experienced significant economic developments.
Practical Subjects
Seminar
Graduate Thesis
Introductory Seminar in Economics
Student’s Voice
Economic Policy Major
Learn how to handle and create data based on problems that occur in the real world
In seminars, research groups use theory and data to discuss issues and events occurring in society, such as “What policies are necessary to increase the rural population?” and “How to improve the ratio of men taking childcare leave”. Even if we use a large amount of existing data, it is often difficult to create new policies. Therefore, we proceed with our rational by digging deeper into the data and creating new data through the methodology of regression analysis. In addition, when compiling presentation slides, I began using easy-to-understand expressions, participated in internal seminar competitions, and joint presentations with other universities. In this way, not only I deepened my knowledge, but through the news I also began to think about the process of formulating policies, such as the tax system and social security.
Yuta Kishida
Economic Thought and History Major
To deeply understand the current economy and society, it is effective to explore their roots.
By studying the historical background of the world economy and society, including Japan, students can understand the origins of modern society and economy and acquire hints for solving their problems. In my seminars, I examined various aspects of Japan's economy and society from a historical perspective. For example, the roots of the center of Osaka city lie in the development efforts by Hideyoshi Toyotomi, and many traces of that still remain today. In addition, I learned that the large number of ferryboats on rivers in the city of Osaka stems from the economic prosperity of Osaka and river transport since the Edo period. The present and the past are closely related, and I feel that historical events and perspectives are useful to understand the current economy and society.
Ayana Shioji
Industry and Business Major
After learning marketing knowledge, you can freely delve into your own interests
I am studying corporate marketing and local economy. With regard to the distribution channel strategy of beverage manufacturers, I examined the business model of vending machines, which differs from convenience stores and supermarkets. I found it interesting that after reexamining the things that we take for granted around us, my own perception about those things changed. After learning marketing techniques, such as 4P analysis, I began writing my graduation thesis. Under the theme of “Industrial Structure and Competitive Strategy of the Whiskey Industry”, I analyzed the marketing strategies of major brands and visited a distillery as an example of regional revitalization. I realized that not only I can learn from textbooks, but also be drawn to my own interests and investigate.
Rio Umezawa
International Economy Major
Using data to analyze the gender gap in fashion around the world
In my seminar, I mainly use data analysis to study the relationship between global gender inequality and sports. Specifically, I investigated the relationship between the number of Olympic medals won and data on gender disparities based on four indicators: politics, education, health, and economy. As the analysis progressed, the results showed that education and the economy had an effect on the number of medals won. The understanding of the data demonstrates that in areas where the rate of women going to university was low, the amount of sports practice was small, and that the low enrollment rate of female athletes was due to the small prize money for women’s sport competition. In the future, I plan to increase the number of indicators used in data analysis to grasp the actual state of gender disparities and conduct detailed research on the impact of disparities on the world.
