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Next-generation Global Leader Development Program "Global Subject Group"

"Global Subject Group" is set up as a program for the development of global leaders who will play an active role in international society. Among others, "Global Frontier" and "Skill Up for Studying Abroad" classes, which are taught in English, are part of an educational curriculum that allows students to develop a global perspective by learning with international students. In this curriculum, "Japanese as a Second Language" classes are held for international students. Together with classes taught in English, these classes constitute the "Kansai University Global Frontier" curriculum, of which courses are available for many international students from overseas partner universities.

  • KUGF Course Guide
  • syllabus system

KUGF Introduction video

Why "Global Subject Group"?

There is a need for people who:

  • can respond flexibly to an increase in overseas expansion of business and a wide and diverse variety of work places, clients and colleagues;
  • have a global perspective; and
  • can play an active role in global society.

⇒Utilizing your time at university to foster an international outlook and learn the fundamental skills needed to function effectively as a member of global society, will greatly enhance your career path and future.

What constitute "Global Subject Group" classes taught in English?

⇒The "Global Subject Group" program consists of "Skill Up for Studying Abroad" classes, which help students develop their language skills and prepare them for studying abroad, and "Global Frontier" classes, which constitute eight modules of expertise.
As the classes are taught in English, they are ideal for students who are planning to study abroad or who have finished studying abroad.

Benefits of "Global Subject Group" classes taught in English

⇒　Studying in a global academic environment together with international students also taking courses in the "Global Subject Group" curriculum.

⇒　Students can take classes suited to their own academic goals.

  • To improve language proficiency and communication skills
  • To develop a high level of cross-cultural understanding
  • To foster leadership skills to solve problems and to contribute to the development of unexplored fields

KUGF (Kansai University Global Frontier) Curriculum

  • Module 1:Engineering Approach to Urban Issues
  • Module 2:Food Science & Biotechnology
  • Module 3:International Business & Entrepreneurship
  • Module 4:Japan Studies
  • Module 5:Language Teaching & Communication
  • Module 6:Studies on Foreign Affairs
  • Module 7:Fundamentals for Social Science Studies
  • Module 8:Applied Science and Engineering
  • Skill Up for Studying Abroad
  • Japanese as a Second Language

KUGF classes：Schedule (2022-2023)

Module 1:Engineering Approach to Urban Issues

Course Name

  • Disaster Transport Planning

Module 2:Food Science & Biotechnology

Course Name

  • Biotechnology and Bioethics
  • Marketing of Food, Alcohol and Cosmetics
  • Science of Washoku (Japanese Cuisine)
  • Food Safety
  • Polysaccharide Science

Module 3:International Business & Entrepreneurship

Course Name

  • International Business for Entrepreneurs
  • Business & Japanese People
  • Marketing in Japan
  • Japanese Industries and Companies (The Global Competition)
  • Business for SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals)

Module 4:Japan Studies

Course Name

  • Japanese Philosophy and Thoughts
  • Japanese Religion
  • Japanese Arts
  • Japanese History (The History and Culture of Medieval Japan)
  • Japanese History (Bushido: The Way of the Warrior)
  • Japanese Literature (Survey of Post-1945)
  • Japanese Literature (Intro. to Classical JPN Literature)
  • Japanese Culture (Modern Culture and Post-war History)
  • Japanese Culture (JPN Culture and Contemporary Literature)
  • Comparative Asian Cultures Studies
  • Japanese Law and Politics
  • Japanese Economy (Topics in Japanese Economy and Discussion)
  • Japanese Society
  • Japanese Popular Culture (Postwar Japanese Culture)
  • Seminar in Japanology (Japanese Budo: An Intro. to Kendo)
  • Seminar in Japanology (The Japanese Language and Society)
  • Seminar in Japanology (Japanese Budo: An Intro. To Naginata)
  • Seminar in Japanology (War and Conflict through JPN Film)

Module 5:Language Teaching & Communication

Course Name

  • Second Language Acquisition
  • Individual Differences in Language Learning
  • Ed. Tech. & Materials Development in FLT
  • Early Foreign Language Education
  • Structure of Language (discourse and meaning)
  • Linguistic Analysis (English)
  • International Business Communication

Module 6:Studies on Foreign Affairs

Course Name

  • International Development
  • Area Studies (Europe I)
  • Area Studies (Europe II)
  • Area Studies (India)
  • Japan in International Affairs

Module 7:Fundamentals for Social Science Studies

Course Name

  • Critical Thinking for Social and Global Issues
  • Research Methods for Social Sciences
  • Global Sociology
  • Japanese Computerization and Society
  • Methods of Comparative Analysis (ENG and JPN Communication)
  • Contemporary Gender Studies

Module 8:Applied Science and Engineering

Course Name

  • Japanese Science and Technology
  • Environmental Biology
  • Information and Communication Technologies
  • Introduction to Applied Science

Skill Up for Studying Abroad

Course Name

  • Foundation for Academic English
  • Academic Writing Practice
  • Academic Discussions & Debates
  • Presentation Skills
  • TOEFL Score Up Training I
  • TOEFL Score Up Training II
  • Understanding Cross-Cultural Communication
  • ASEAN Studies
  • KUGF Independent Study (English Skills Development)
  • KUGF Independent Study (Doing a Research in English)
  • Global Awareness I
  • Global Awareness II
  • English Communication Skills for Business Contexts

Japanese as a Second Language

Course Name

  • Japanese (1-a)
  • Japanese (1-b)
  • Japanese (2-a)
  • Japanese (2-b)
  • Japanese (3-a)
  • Japanese (3-b)
  • Japanese (4-a)
  • Japanese (4-b)
  • Japanese (5-a)
  • Japanese (5-b)
  • Japanese (6-a)
  • Japanese (6-b)
  • Japanese (7-a)
  • Japanese (7-b)
  • Contemporary Japan (Understanding Japan)
  • Contemporary Japan (Japan in Mass Media I)
  • Contemporary Japan (Japan in Mass Media II)
  • Contemporary Japan (Researching Japan)
  • Communication in Japanese Society (Business Japanese)
  • Communication in Japanese Society (JPN Corporate Culture)

International Cooperation Service Learning classes

The "Global Subject Group" program also consists of "International Cooperation Service Learning" classes, in addition to classes taught in English. "International Cooperation Service Learning" classes consist of the "Readiness Lecture Course," in which students learn the basic theories underlying international cooperation activities, the "Practicum Course," in which students participate in international cooperation volunteer activities during their vacation period and the "Follow-up Lecture Course" after the volunteer activities. Refer here for more information about International Cooperation Service Learning.

International Education Support Office

The International Education Support Office is set up to provide support for encouraging global education at Kansai University. The International Education Support Office is staffed with experienced professionals who are familiar with international education and provides an FD workshop to improve course contents and teaching strategies, including consultation for instructors of "Global Subject Group" classes taught in English in designing their classes. The Office also provides support for various course designs, including Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL), which expands the reach of classes to students in remote settings at overseas universities.

Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL)