Course Description
In this course, we explain the basic knowledge, theory, and judicial precedents of the Japanese Constitution in an easy-to-understand manner for beginners, thinking about familiar social issues together.
To begin, we will consider the significance of studying the Constitution. Next, we will explore the reasons and purposes of the Constitution from a historical perspective. Then, while closely examining the basic human rights guaranteed by the Constitution and the mechanisms of governance, we will explore how to solve real social problems.
Keywords
Human rights, constitutional law, constitutional history, constitutional litigation, problem discovery and solving, logical thinking
Course Plan
Class 1: Why study the Constitution?
Class 2: Constitutional history (1): Constitutions in world history—Why have constitutions been established?
Class 3: Constitutional history (2): The Constitution in Japanese history—Why did Article 9 of the Constitution stipulate pacifism?
Class 4: What are basic human rights and who are they for?
Class 5: Structure of governance: Courts as "bastions of human rights"
Class 6: The right to spiritual freedom (1): Freedom of thought and conscience—Can the state teach children "morality"?
Class 7: The right to spiritual freedom (2): Freedom of religion and the principle of separation of church and state—Does religious neutrality obstruct faith?
Class 8: The right to spiritual freedom (3): Freedom of expression—Are discriminatory remarks acceptable?
Class 9: The right to spiritual freedom (4): Academic freedom—Should there be restrictions in scientific research?
Class 10: Economic freedom: What was your dream when you were little?
Class 11: Social sights (1): Right to life—The significance of guaranteeing the right to life
Class 12: Social rights (2): Right to education—Why do I have to go to school?
Class 13: Social rights (3): Basic labor rights—How should we deal with exploitative part-time work?
Class 14: Equality rights: What does it mean to treat people equally?
Class 15: Constitutional amendments: What does it mean to "amend" the Constitution?, course survey
Class 16: Final exam
