Jurisprudence is the study of desirable social rules. Laws are a prime example of such social rules. Political science is the study of the nature of governance. Governance means that states, governments, political parties, bureaucratic organizations, and social groups determine domestic and international rules, distribute burdens and benefits, and form order.

Both law and political science share a common focus: how rules (laws and policies) solve social problems and bring order. However, they differ in that political science focuses on how rules are created, while law focuses on how those rules should be used effectively to solve social problems.

source

• Takashi Iida, Ayako Kondo, Yosuke Sunahara, and Satomi Maruyama, "Understanding, Thinking about, and Changing the World: Social Science Lectures for High School Students" (Yuhikaku, 2023)
• Yosuke Sunahara, Takeshi Hieda, and Jun Tago, "The First Step in Political Science [New Edition]" (Yuhikaku Studia, 2020); Tetsuki Tamura, Yasushi Kondo, and Takashi Horie, "Political Science" (Keiso Shobo, 2020)
• Tamura, Tetsuki; Kondo, Yasushi; Horie, Takashi. "Political Science" (Keiso Shobo, 2020)
• Motoi Miyagawa, "Introduction to Law as Learned from High School Textbooks" (Minerva Shobo, 2024)
• "To You Who Still Don't Know Law: 13 Lectures to Open Up the Future," edited by the "Modern Times and Law" Committee of Faculty of Law, University of Tokyo (Yuhikaku, 2022)
• "To You Who Want to Learn About Law Now: 13 Lectures to Broaden Your World," edited by the "Modern Law" Committee of Faculty of Law, University of Tokyo (Yuhikaku, 2024)

One of the distinguishing features of our faculty is that it offers a systematic approach to studying law and political science. Our faculty boasts nearly 30 faculty members, and in the field of law, we have faculty specializing not only in the six major laws (Constitutional Law, Civil Law, Commercial Law, Criminal Law, Civil Procedure Law, and Criminal Procedure Law), but also in other positive law and fundamental legal studies. In the field of political science, we have faculty members specializing in essential political science subjects such as political process theory, public administration, local government theory, and international politics. It is no exaggeration to say that Tohoku Gakuin University's Faculty of Law is the only private university in the Tohoku region where students can systematically study law and political science under such a comprehensive faculty.

This relates to the previous question, but graduates of this faculty are able to pursue diverse career paths by systematically studying law and political science.

The number of graduates who find employment as civil servants is the highest among all faculties at Tohoku Gakuin University. Each year, approximately one in four graduates finds employment in administrative fields (prefectural government, municipal government, national government) or public safety fields (police officers, firefighters, etc.). Among civil servants, many graduates each year take up positions as local government employees, such as prefectural and municipal employees, and police officers. Therefore, the option of choosing Tohoku Gakuin University's Faculty of Law is a strong one if you aim to become a civil servant in the Tohoku region. Since becoming a civil servant requires passing multiple exams in law and political science, studying systematically in this faculty will help you pass the exams.

Many graduates find employment in private companies. Because this faculty teaches laws that change in response to the demands of the times, the knowledge gained here is useful in any company. Some companies require legal qualifications, such as the real estate license (Takken) for the real estate industry. As I will answer in the next question, this faculty has a robust support system for obtaining legal qualifications. In fact, every year, around 20 current students pass the qualification exams for certified public accountant, administrative scrivener, and real estate agent. Obtaining these qualifications will give you an advantage in your job search. Even if you obtain qualifications after employment, legal subjects are always required, so the knowledge gained here will be useful even after graduation. Many graduates have gone on to law Graduate Schools after graduating from this faculty and become lawyers.

Tohoku Gakuin University as a whole operates a "Qualification Acquisition Reward System" through its alumni association, which provides monetary rewards and book vouchers to students who obtain national qualifications while enrolled. In addition to this, our faculty has its own "Career Advancement Support System" for students who wish to pursue careers as legal professionals, civil servants, or legal specialists. The Career Advancement Support System provides courses and other support to help students prepare for and follow up on examinations for legal professionals, civil servants, and legal specialists.

We also provide opportunities to hear from graduates working as legal professionals, civil servants, and legal specialists about their experiences passing exams and their actual work. Hearing firsthand accounts from graduates active on the front lines is a unique advantage of our faculty, which boasts a nearly 60-year tradition.

The most important facilities for studying in this faculty are the university library and the library/reading room in the General Research Building. The university library has a wide selection of introductory books, materials, casebooks, and specialized books in law and political science. It also subscribes to numerous online databases that allow you to search and access Japanese and international court cases and academic journals. The library/reading room in the General Research Building houses over 1,000 types of journals and materials, and more than 5,000 dictionaries and books.

While many universities are reducing their online database subscriptions and academic journal subscriptions due to soaring fees, our faculty maintains a scale that makes it one of the most comprehensive learning environments in the country. For more details, please see below.

Tohoku Gakuin University Faculty of Law: Educational and Research Facilities

You can pursue more specialized research in law and political science at the Graduate School of Law Tohoku Gakuin Graduate Schools. This Graduate School of Law offers a two-year master's program for those who have completed their undergraduate studies, and a three-year doctoral program for those who wish to become researchers. Those who wish to work in legal professions, such as becoming a lawyer, often attend law Graduate Schools at other universities.