I started teaching at Elmira College (EC) in 1997. Its small classroom sizes and closer interactions I get to have with students are some of the most positive aspects of my academic life at EC. Over the years, I have introduced new courses such as International Conflict and Cooperation and Research Methods in Political Science. I also developed a new Term III travel course to Japan in 2007, entitled Culture and People of Japan. This course helps the participating students gain first-had knowledge of Japan and its people through language lessons, topical lectures, and visits to cultural sites in Japan while living with Japanese host families in Tokyo and other parts of Japan.
Building upon my personal experience in Russia, Poland, and Japan among other places, I am well-versed in many areas of international relations, comparative politics, international law, U.S. foreign policy, international relations theory, international political economy, and research methods and statistics. I have published various works in scholarly books and professional journals such as Comparative Strategy: An International Journal, The International Journal on World Peace, International Interactions, and The Journal of Politics, among others. Furthermore, I have personal connections with some officials in the United Nations (UN), through whom I have successfully helped some of our students obtain internships at the UN.
In addition to these functions as a faculty member, I also fulfill an administrative role as the official Liaison between Elmira College and Japan, recruiting students from Japan and maintaining EC’s long historical relationships with Japanese colleges, universities, and various other educational organizations. Moreover, due to my personal connections with our Japanese counterparts, I have been able to help some of our graduates find teaching positions in Japan.
Educational Background:
- Ph.D. in Political Science; State University of New York at Binghamton, 1992.
- M.A. in Political Science; State University of New York at Binghamton, 1988.
- B.A. in International Studies; Lock Haven University, 1985.
- Study in Russia and Hungary, Sponsored by University of Wisconsin-Parkside, 1996.
- Institute of Social Research ICPSR Summer Training Program, University of Michigan, 1989.
- Marie Curie-Sklodowska University, Lublin, POLAND, 1984.
Dr. Kunihiko Imai
Department of Politcal Science
Elmira College
One Park Place
Elmira, NY 14910
Office phone: 607-735-1945
kimai@elmira.edu