Master’s Program for Language and Culture
The Master’s Program for Language and Culture offers a choice between two specializations, Japanese Language and Culture and English Language Culture.
Students will gain a deep understanding of the accumulated knowledge pertaining to the language and culture of Japan and English-speaking regions, and develop a critical scholarly approach to reconstruct this knowledge from a new, global perspective.
Division of Japanese Language and Culture
This program explores Japanese culture with a focus on language, literature, and history. Students will conduct extensive research on Japanese culture in all its complexities and diversity by employing various interdisciplinary techniques and comparative literature approaches that provide fresh perspectives from those of conventional research methods. The program prepares students to succeed in such areas as cultural exchanges and education by cultivating the critical thinking skills required to understand the global society in relative terms, and developing the knowledge and skills to share and promote Japanese culture overseas.
Division of English Language and Culture
This program enhances students’ synchronic and diachronic knowledge about language and culture, society, and thought mainly of the English-speaking regions based on an understanding of Western European cultural history. Students are introduced to various theories useful for critically reading and interpreting words and visual culture, and acquire the necessary skills to creatively analyze and explain issues pertaining to language and culture as educated intellectuals of Asia. The program also improves language and interactive skills, enabling students to effectively communicate and present ideas and research findings to the local and global communities.
Admission Policy
The Master’s Program for Language and Culture seeks students with a keen interest and motivation to research history and activities pertaining to language and culture, the academic aptitude required to undertake research, and a clear sense of purpose. The program welcomes applications from students who have the post-graduation ambition and potential to (a) use their expertise to widely promote culture in Japan and overseas, and succeed in a variety of settings as a next-generation leader; (b) acquire a specialized teacher’s license and play an active and leading role at the forefront of education; or (c) pursue a research career.
＜Standard criteria for admission＞
?General admission, admission of working adults, international student admission
Admission is based on a comprehensive evaluation of the applicant’s knowledge and abilities, critical thinking skills, good judgement, articulateness, motivation to engage in research, and other factors assessed through written examinations, interview performance, and a review of application materials. The written examinations assess the applicant’s language skills and articulateness essential for conducting research. The interview assesses the applicant’s passion for research in their chosen field, the validity of their research proposal, and academic aptitude and skills, communication skills, and articulateness required to undertake research in their chosen field.
Qualifications and licenses for graduates
Teacher’s License
Students who complete the Master’s Program for Language and Culture with the requisite credits from the specified courses qualify for the following teacher’s licenses:
| Program Name | Types of licenses | Subject |
|---|---|---|
| Master’s Program for Language and Culture | Junior High School Specialized Teacher’s License High School Specialized Teacher’s License |
Japanese |
| Junior High School Specialized Teacher’s License High School Specialized Teacher’s License |
English |
Master’s Program for Social Sciences
In the Master’s Program for Social Sciences, students can choose between two specializations, International Industrial Sciences and International Relations.
This master’s program prepares students to become skilled professionals able to explain a broad, diverse range of political and economic phenomena in the international society and apply these insights in the real world.
Division of International Industrial Sciences
Identifying and analyzing the challenges in international economic and social relations involving Japan, Asia, the United States, and Europe has become an important theme for education and research. This program enables students to interpret and understand the various global economic and social phenomena, including the activities of corporations, using theoretical insights and empirical evidence. Completing this program will enable students to succeed in industries as a highly skilled professional or specialist in an academic institution.
Division of International Relations
With the growing complexity of the international society in terms of political, sociological and cultural contexts, it has become increasingly important to analyze the myriad problems facing contemporary society and explore the theories that explain these phenomena. While gaining a philosophical understanding of the ideas and values underpinning politics, students will explore those problems by integrating the specialized knowledge of various disciplines and areas, including law, political science, international cooperation, and sociology. The objective of this program is for students to succeed in various fields of the globalizing world as a highly skilled professional or specialist in an academic institution.
Admission Policy
The Master’s Program for Social Sciences welcomes applications from students who have (a) an active interest in the workings of the international society and economic activities of businesses and other organizations, and (b) strong motivation to acquire the necessary knowledge and skills to perform independent research in the graduate school. The ideal candidates are students who have the potential to use their expertise to succeed in the international society as a next-generation leader in a variety of career paths or pursue a research and education career in a specialized field.
＜Standard criteria for admission＞
?General admission, admission of working adults, international student admission
Admission is based on a comprehensive evaluation of the applicant’s knowledge and abilities, critical thinking skills, good judgement, articulateness, motivation to engage in research, and other factors assessed through written examinations, interview performance, and a review of application materials. The written examinations assess the applicant’s language skills and articulateness essential for conducting research. The interview assesses the applicant’s passion for research in their chosen field, the validity of their research proposal, and academic aptitude and skills, communication skills, and articulateness required to undertake research in their chosen field.
