Message from the Dean

　In the midst of the efforts to make the 21st century a more peaceful one than the previous century, in which two world wars were waged and various armed conflicts and wars were fought in many parts of the world, the global pandemic emerged in 2020. We were once again faced with a new set of challenges. Many countries closed their borders in order to stop the virus. Nevertheless, the movements of people around the world led to a global pandemic. Many questions were posed: What would have protected or would protect our lives and safety? How are we to be connected to each other and what does it mean to be connected? What would the global community look like now? These are not new questions but we realized clearly the need for new perspectives.

Connecting globally

　One of the strengths of GSGS is, of course, our research on global issues. That means we, the researchers at GSGS, are connected beyond traditional academic fields and area studies. We believe global connection is necessary to address global issues. It may not be an exaggeration to say that the global connection is necessary for the survival of our planet.

　Climate change is a good example. We have almost daily witnessed extreme weather conditions somewhere in the world. This can be called a Climate Crisis, even. These abnormal weather conditions are attributed to global warming or CO2 emission that have an effect far beyond one country or region. That being said, the severity of the impacts of climate change differs from community to community or person to person, depending on where one lives, what kind of policies one’s government has, or what access one has to resources. Sex, gender, or sexual orientation are also factored into the differences in the impacts. We hope you will pay close attention to such aspects of global issues.

What is communication?

　Communication is crucial in global society, your community, and in GSGS. It is our hope that you will learn not only various languages, but also the cultures they come from, and the meaning of multilingual communication. It is also important to expand the scope of your interest beyond the words that are spoken: words that are/cannot be spoken, and the words that are not heard.

　To communicate is to encounter different sets of values. At GSGS, faculty members and students come from various backgrounds. Your daily life is a learning opportunity about the methods and significance of communication in pursuing your research. We also provide a support system for students to conduct field work, to present their research, and to connect with researchers in and outside of Japan. Please make the best use of our support system.

Thinking critically

　The origin of the word “critical” is in the ancient Greek, kriticos, meaning to judge or discern. The citizens of Athens were expected to be “critical” of their leaders. The citizens examined policies, discussed them, and judged them. This what it meant for them to be “critical.” For us living in the present time, it is essential to think critically about the abundant information or generative AI information. When pursuing your research, it is fundamental to gather data and information. Further, the ability to critically think and analyze them is vital, and we hope that you will gain this ability.