Curriculum

Program Features

Deep Issue Awareness, Advanced Knowledge, and an Eagerness to Act

Aiming for Global Coexistence Driven from Regional Perspectives

Selected Thesis Topics

Master’s Thesis

Doctoral Dissertations

Educational Policies

Diploma Policy

Master’s Program

This program aims to nurture fieldworkers who can clarify the origins of global issues identify resolve them while taking into consideration historical and cultural backgrounds, based on a community-based approach. Upon completion of the program and fulfillment of the below requirements, inducing passing thesis review, students will be awarded a degree:

 

1. The ability to establish a fieldwork-oriented methodology using the languages of East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Europe and Latin America
2. The ability to analyze and understand issues that cannot be captured by existing academic disciplines through ideas from local communities, that are not national in scope, and through joint research by multiple disciplines
3. The ability to contribute academically and socially to the elucidation of global issues from local perspectives and approaches, and to support global civil society and local diversity as a next-generation area-specific researcher
4. Ability to complete a master’s thesis with a clear awareness of an issue, sufficient proceeding research, a precise thesis structure, and a coherent thesis development.

Doctoral Program

Based on an appropriate and original regional approach and methodology for clarifying research issues, this program aims to meet the high academic standards in area studies that contribute to the development of related academic fields, and defines the following abilities and knowledge that students must acquire upon completion of the program. Upon satisfying the requirements for completion and passing the thesis examination, students are recognized as having acquired these skills and are awarded a degree:

 

1. The ability to develop and establish appropriate approaches to solving today’s problems, make new academic contributions, and carry out the field work to obtain and analyze original materials, using language skills sufficient to elucidate their research problem.
2. Ability to set research questions and gain insight into the potential for academic contribution, with an eye toward future interdisciplinary collaboration.
3. The ability to conduct research to deepen one’s own area of specialization based on chosen methodology and knowledge acquired in the Master’s program, and to complete a doctoral dissertation that is unique and makes an academic and social contribution.

Curriculum Policy

Master’s Program

In order to realize the Diploma Policy, the curriculum of this course is organized with subjects that include the following objectives:

 

1. Through required basic courses, students will acquire the fundamentals of area studies, study diverse and comprehensive methodology, and gain a community-based perspective.
2. Through interregional comparison courses, students will be encouraged to compare the regions studied and the methodologies used, and to develop an objective understanding of the academic contribution of individual studies by cultivating a comparative perspective.
3. Through specialized courses in area studies, students will be trained to develop a coherent logic based on the methodology appropriate to the subject of study and the results of their major research.

Doctoral Program

In order to realize the Diploma Policy, the curriculum of this course is organized with subjects that include the following objectives:

 

1. Individual thesis guidance with a faculty advisor to encourage the original materials and development of approaches through fieldwork.
2. Through active participation in courses offered by academic advisors and within the department, students will engage in a wide range of discussions with other students from other fields and areas.
3. The doctoral students will be examined on their level of academic achievement, including foreign language ability and logical thinking, through a doctoral dissertation submission qualification examination.
4. After passing the doctoral dissertation submission qualification examination, the doctoral dissertation plan review and the doctoral dissertation planning seminar will lead to the completion of the doctoral dissertation.

Admissions Policy

Master’s Program

The program seeks students with the following qualities:

 

1. Students with the language proficiency skills to understand the basic literature required to understand individual phenomena and challenges occurring in East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and Latin Ameria, as well as to understand various global issues
2. Students who have a spirit of social and academic curiosity and ambition, are able to write logical and thoughtful essays on specific issues, and have a proactive approach to their work
3. Students who aspire to become professionals who can contribute to society in a practical way to support global civil society and local diversity

Doctoral Program

The program seeks students with the following qualities:

 

1. Students with a proven track record of working on research projects
2. Students who possess the language skills essential for obtaining and analyzing materials sufficient to elucidate their research problem
3. Students who prepared and eager to contribute to communities and society, both in their academic field and in practice

Faculty Members

East Asia

Southeast Asia

South Asia

The Middle East

Africa

Europe

Latin America

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