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Master’s (Doctoral) Programs in Global Studies

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Tackling Critical Global-Local Issues from Tokyo

The Graduate Programs in Global Studies（GPGS） focuses on the study of exploring transnational processes and their historical context in the contemporary world. Its English-taught curriculum combines the perspectives and methods of academic disciplines with a cross-cultural understanding of Japan and other regions of the world. Through mentoring and coursework, students acquire the skills to conduct research on topics tailored to their individual academic interests and career goals.

GPGS faculty members hold advanced degrees from leading universities and are internationally active researchers. The curriculum is supported by affiliated professors from other postgraduate programs in the university, as well as adjunct professors. These lecturers represent over a dozen nationalities, ensuring rich and diverse viewpoints and experiences. Each semester up to fifteen applicants are admitted to the M.A. programs and one or two applicants are admitted to the Ph.D. programs. The　student body consists of international students and Japanese nationals from a variety of cultural backgrounds. In addition, a small number of students are admitted each year as MEXT（Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology） research fellows, wishing to continue on to the M.A. or Ph.D. programs. The small number of students ensures close student-faculty interaction.

Curriculum

Five types of degrees are offered in the M.A. and Ph.D. in the GPGS focusing on the study of global issues from both social science and humanities perspectives.

The interdisciplinary courses and students’ research of the M.A. and Ph.D. in Global Studies cover topics such as Japanese politics, climate change, international relations, democracy and the media, human rights, religion, racism, health, gender, emotionalism, immigration, citizenship, and food studies. The M.A. in International Business and Development Studie focuses on the acquisition of analytical skills to deal with a range of contemporary global business and development issues, with an emphasis on Japan and other Asian regions. The M.A. and Ph.D. in Japanese Studies provides an integrated and interdisciplinary approach to the study of both historical and contemporary aspects of Japanese history, literature, religion, visual culture, and society.

The master’s degree has two tracks, each with different requirements for graduation. Students in the thesis track write a research thesis while those in the credit track complete a graduation project. The selection of the track takes place after a student matriculate in the program. Those wishing to join the thesis track must apply at the beginning of the second semester, subject to academic merit, availability of a mentor for the proposed topic , and a successful thesis proposal. The breadth of experience and research interests of the faculty members, together with the small size of the program, allows students greater freedom in course selection. In consultation with faculty members, students can choose courses designed to suit their individual interests and to further develop their expertise in their chosen fields.

After completing the M.A. students find careers in a wide range of fields in Japan and abroad, including the public and private sectors, academic institutions, and non-profit organizations.

Granted Degree

  • Master’s Program:
    MASTER OF ARTS IN JAPANESE STUDIES
    MASTER OF ARTS IN INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS AND DEVEROPMENT STUDIES
    MASTER OF ARTS IN GLOBAL STUDIES
  • Doctoral Program:
    DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN GLOBAL STUDIES
    DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN JAPANESE STUDIES

Program Features

Japanese language courses

While the program is taught in English, students can take advantage of the Japanese language courses offered in the undergraduate program as well as two advanced Japanese courses offered in the GPGS. Students with a sufficient level of Japanese as determined by a placement test may also take other courses offered by the university as part of their studies.

A wide variety of research materials and connections

Students have access to the University Library system, which contains over one million volumes and 11 , 000periodicals. The library has an especially rich collection of English-language books and journals related to the study of Japan. Digital resources include extensive databases and e-journals. Resources from other universities can be obtained through inter-library loan, while the university’s central location in Tokyo provides easy access to the National Diet Library and other institutions.

Students have access to research opportunities within and outside the GPGS. Student-run research groups organize academic events directly supported by the GPGS. In addition, the Graduate School of Global Studies（GSGS）, of which the GPGS is a part, provides support for students to organize symposiums, publish articles or work as GSGS research assistants. Students can also take part in events sponsored by the Sophia University Institute of Comparative Culture. The Institute’s lecture series and projects feature leading scholars from around the world.These activities provide an opportunity for graduate students and faculty members to come together in a fruitful exchange.

Excellent support system

The program has its own computer facilities and provides students with on-campus lockers and storage space. Graduate students may also use cafeterias, sports facilities, and health and counseling centers. University residences are available off-campus.

Selected Thesis Topics of Students

Global Studies

  • Vietnamese Graduates of English-taught Programs in Japan: Navigating Post-study Work and Dating Lives as Cosmopolitan Subjects (M.A.)
  • Cultural and Value Transmission: Three Dimensions of Child-Rearing Strategies of Indian Migrant Mothers in Japan (M.A.)
  • Japan’s FOIP Vs China’s BRI: An Analysis of Japan’s Free and Open Indo Pacific and China’s Belt and Road Initiatives Among Developing Island States in the Pacific Region (M.A.)
  • Emotional Labor of Filipino Long-Term Care Workers in Japan: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (Ph.D.)
  • The Absent Shrine: Bear Worship and Kinetic Sacrality in the Japanese Archipelago (Ph.D.)
  • Coming to Tokyo and Losing Faith: Exploring the Religious Identity Transitions of Students from Sub-Saharan Africa in Japan (Ph.D.)

International Business and Development

  • Kaizen Implementation in Public Affairs: Bogotá Public Transportation Case Study(M.A.)
  • Utilizing the WebRTC P2P protocol to reduce infrastructure costs of media streaming (M.A.)
  • Improving Productivity in Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems by Applying a Hybrid Genetic Algorithm, Ant Colony Algorithm, and Storage Policies (M.A.)

Japanese Studies

  • Finding Journalism in the Novel: Bridging the Gap of the 3.11 Experience in Furukawa Hideo’s Horses, Horses, in the End the Light Remains Pure (2011) and Yu Miri’s Tokyo Ueno Station (2014) (M.A.)
  • Highly Responsive to Prayer: Religious and Affective Dimensions of Ema in the Fan Pilgrimage Phenomenon (M.A.)
  • Healing the Soul: Uranai Divination and the Pursuit of Personal Religiosity in 21st Century Japan (Ph.D.)

Admissions

The Graduate Program in Global Studies differs from other programs for its selection process and for having different application periods for April and September entry. For this reason, the program has an application procedure of its own. The information is available at the Admissions office.

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Educational Policies

Master’s Program

A. Global Studies

The Master’s Program in Global Studies, Global Studies sets standards for the skills and knowledge students will acquire as described below. Those who fulfill the requirements and have passed the thesis defense will receive the diploma.

  1. Acquisition of specialized knowledge and global cultural competencies.
  2. The master’s thesis or the graduation project is grammatically and linguistically correct, clear, concise, and written in the appropriate style. It clearly shows the setting of the research theme, and makes convincing conclusions based on appropriate research.
  3. Acquisition of concepts and methodologies for the study of global phenomena.
  4. To train students who can fully participate in global society and take leadership roles in international organizations, governments, NGOs, and media, educational institutions, and other organizations.

B. International Business and Development Studies

The Master’s Program in Global Studies, International Business and Development Studies sets standards for the skills and knowledge students will acquire as described below. Those who fulfill the requirements and have passed the thesis defense will receive the diploma.

  1. Acquisition of specialized knowledge and global cultural competencies.
  2. The master’s thesis or the graduation project is grammatically and linguistically correct, clear, concise, and written in the appropriate style. It clearly shows the setting of the research theme, and makes convincing conclusions based on appropriate research.
  3. Acquisition of analytic skills to deal with a broad range of contemporary global business and development problems, with strong focus on Japan and Asia.
  4. To train students to have a deep understanding of economic conditions in developed and developing countries and have specialized management capacities required in international organizations, governments, and businesses.

C. Japanese Studies

The Master’s Program in Global Studies, Japanese Studies sets standards for the skills and knowledge students will acquire as described below. Those who fulfill the requirements and have passed the thesis defense will receive the diploma.

  1. Acquisition of specialized knowledge and global cultural competencies.
  2. The master’s thesis or the graduation project is grammatically and linguistically correct, clear, concise, and written in the appropriate style. It clearly shows the setting of the research theme, and makes convincing conclusions based on appropriate research.
  3. Acquisition of an integrated and interdisciplinary understanding of Japanese history, literature, religion, art history, society, and culture.
  4. To train students to have the Japanese language competency and scholarly knowledge for positions in educational institutions and other organizations requiring specialized knowledge of Japan.

Doctoral Program

A. Global Studies

The Doctoral Program in Global Studies sets standards for the skills and knowledge students will acquire as described below. Those who fulfill the requirements and have passed the thesis defense will receive a diploma in the Global Studies.

  1. Acquisition of specialized knowledge for a professional career.
  2. The doctoral dissertation is grammatically and linguistically correct, clear, concise, and written in the appropriate style. It clearly shows the setting of the research topic, which is original and unique, and makes convincing conclusions based on a deep and appropriate research.
  3. Awarded on the basis of an original contribution in the area of Global Studies through mastery of relevant concepts and application of relevant methodologies.
  4. To train students with specialized knowledge of theories and methods in Global Studies who can assume academic positions in institutions of higher learning as well as positions in organizations requiring specialized understanding and analysis of global phenomena.

B. Japanese Studies

The Doctoral Program in Global Studies sets standards for the skills and knowledge students will acquire as described below. Those who fulfill the requirements and have passed the thesis defense will receive a diploma in the Japanese Studies.

  1. Acquisition of specialized knowledge for a professional career.
  2. The doctoral dissertation is grammatically and linguistically correct, clearly, concise, and written in the appropriate style. It clearly shows the setting of the research topic, which is original and unique, and makes convincing conclusions based on a deep and appropriate research.
  3. Awarded on the basis of an original contribution in the area of Japanese Studies through mastery of relevant concepts and application of relevant methodologies.
  4. To train students who have developed expertise in an area within Japanese Studies and who are capable of assuming academic positions in institutions of higher learning and pursuing innovative high-level research in their area of expertise.

Master’s Program

A. Global Studies

In accordance with the university diploma policy, the Graduate Program in Global Studies, Global Studies constructs a curriculum with courses aligned to the following purposes.

  1. To train global citizens who can function inEnglish and other languages in multinational and multicultural social contexts in using skills from Global Studies.
  2. Build a well-balanced curriculum that systematically combines lectures, exercises, and practical training through coursework and supervision in research work by the faculty members.
  3. Through close collaboration between faculty members and students, build a curriculum with a thesis track course and a credit track course that cultivate students’ research skills in their major field as well as outstanding abilities for occupations that require a high level of expertise.

B. International Business and Development Studies

In accordance with the university diploma policy, the Graduate Program in Global Studies, International Business and Development Studies constructs a curriculum with courses aligned to the following purposes.

  1. To train global citizens who can function in English and other languages in multinational and multicultural social contexts in using skills from International Business and Development Studies.
  2. Build a well-balanced curriculum that systematically combines lectures, exercises, and practical training through coursework and supervision in research work by the faculty members.
  3. Through close collaboration between faculty members and students, build a curriculum with a thesis track course and a credit track course that cultivate students’ research skills in their major field as well as outstanding abilities for occupations that require a high level of expertise.

C. Japanese Studies

In accordance with the university diploma policy, the Graduate Program in Global Studies, Japanese Studies constructs a curriculum with courses aligned to the following purposes.

  1. To train global citizens who can function in English and other languages in multinational and multicultural social contexts in using skills from Japanese Studies.
  2. Build a well-balanced curriculum that systematically combines lectures, exercises, and practical training through coursework and supervision in research work by the faculty members.
  3. Through close collaboration between faculty members and students, build a curriculum with a thesis track course and a credit track course that cultivate students’ research skills in their major field as well as outstanding abilities for occupations that require a high level of expertise.

Doctoral Program in Global Studies

A. Global Studies

In accordance with the university diploma policy, the Graduate Program in Global Studies constructs a curriculum with courses aligned to the following purposes.

  1. To train students who have developed expertise in a specific area and have the cultural competencies for a global career.
  2. Build a well-balanced curriculum that systematically combines lectures, exercises, and practical training through coursework and supervision in research work by the faculty members.
  3. To train students to acquire the knowledge and skills to independently carry out creative research related to global studies, and to become highly specialized professionals with sufficient knowledge and abilities.

B. Japanese Studies

In accordance with the university diploma policy, the Graduate Program in Global Studies constructs a curriculum with courses aligned to the following purposes.

  1. To train students who have developed expertise in a specific area and have the cultural competencies for a global career.
  2. Build a well-balanced curriculum that systematically combines lectures, exercises, and practical training through coursework and supervision in research work by the faculty members.
  3. To train students to acquire the knowledge and skills to independently carry out creative research related to Japanese studies, and to become highly specialized professionals with sufficient knowledge and abilities.

Master’s Program in Global Studies

The Graduate Program in Global Studies seeks students who are qualified as described below:

 

  1. M.A. in Global Studies: Those who possess excellent ability in English, relevant academic accomplishments, a sense of purpose, expository writing ability, and who are highly recommended by former research advisors and/or other mentors with whom they have worked for a significant qualification
  2. M.A. in International Business and Development Studies: Those who possess excellent ability in English, relevant academic accomplishments, sense of purpose, expository writing ability, and who are highly recommended by former research advisors and/or other mentors with whom they have worked for a significant qualification
  3. M.A. in Japanese Studies: Those who possess ability in English and Japanese, excellence in relevant academic accomplishments, sense of purpose, expository writing ability, and who are highly recommended by former research advisors and/or other mentors with whom they have worked for a significant qualification

Doctoral Program in Global Studies

The Graduate Program in Global Studies seeks students who are qualified as described below:

 

  1. Ph.D. in Global Studies: Those who possess advanced mastery of concepts, methodologies, and a substantive area in Global Studies
  2. Ph.D. in Japanese Studies: Those who possess advanced mastery of concepts, methodologies, and a substantive area in Japanese Studies

Faculty Members

Global Studies

Tadashi ANNO Professor

Research Areas International relations theory，sovereignty and nationalism，international security，Japan’s security policy，Russo-Japanese relations
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Tina BURRETT Professor

Research Areas Media and Politics (Especially Russia and Burma)，Propaganda and Public Opinion，Political Leadership，British Politics，Nationalism and Populism
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Makiko DEGUCHI Professor

Research Areas Cultural psychology，prejudice and discrimination，ethnic minority psychology，social justice pedagogy，privilege studies
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James FARRER Professor

Research Areas Urban sociology，foodways and cuisine，sexuality，nightlife，skilled migration (expatriates)
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Takeshi ITO Professor

Research Areas Agrarian and environmental change; ecology，capitalism，the state; power，domination and resistance; Southeast Asia and Japan
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Dodom KIM Assistant Professor

Research Areas Social and cultural anthropology，migration，law and state，media，technology，infrastructure，contemporary China
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Ilju KIM Assistant Professor

Research Areas Migration，citizenship and gender，skilled migration (IT industry)，immigrant labor market participation，comparative research
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Yuka MINAGAWA Associate Professor

Research Areas Social demography，health and aging，socio-economic transition from communication in East Central Europe and the former Soviet Union
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Tatsuo MURAKAMI Associate Professor

Research Areas Theories of religion (modernity，colonialism，materiality)，African Pentecostalism
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Koichi NAKANO Professor

Research Areas Japanese politics，comparative politics，New Right transformation，public protest and civic activism，party politics and policy change，bureaucracy and administrative reform.
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Kiyokazu OKITA Associate Professor

Research Areas Classical Sanskrit literature，Sanskrit poetry and poetics，medieval and early modern Bengali literature，intellectual traditions of South Asia，religious encounters of South Asia
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Takehiro WATANABE Associate Professor

Research Areas Cultural and social anthropology，modernity，critical theory，cultural history of mining，amateur poetry，environmentalism，underground economies
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International Business and Development Studies

Akihito ASANO Associate Professor

Research Areas Applied microeconomic theory，economics education
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Peter De MAEYER Associate Professor

Research Areas Consumer behavior，pricing and advertising
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Gabriel Fuentes CORDOBA Associate Professor

Research Areas Development economics，applied microeconomics，agricultueral economics，economic systems
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Takuya HASEBE Associate Professor

Research Areas Labor economics，health economics，econometrics，applied microeconomics
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Forhad HOSSAIN Assistant Professor by Special Appointment

Research Areas Entrepreneurship and Innovation，Social Business，Digital Business Strategy，Digital Health，Sustainable Development
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Naoto ISAKA Professor

Research Areas Financial markets，corporate finance
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Yacob KHOJASTEH Professor

Research Areas Operations management，supply chain management，business and management
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Michiru SAKANE Associate Professor

Research Areas Macroeconomics，international finance
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Junko UENISHI Associate Professor

Research Areas Financial accounting，international accounting，comparative accounting systems
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Japanese Studies

Yen Yi CHAN Assistant Professor

Research Areas Art history，Buddhist art，Buddhist icons，Kofukuji，Images of Shaka，Relic warship，East Asian buddhist art exchange
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Edward DROTT Professor

Research Areas History of Japanese religion，religion and the body
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Akiko FRISCHHUT Associate Professor

Research Areas Metaphysics of time，consciousness，philosophy of food，aesthetics
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Bettina GRAMLICH-OKA Professor

Research Areas Japanese history，digital humanities，gender studies，material culture
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Christian HESS Professor

Research Areas Modern Chinese history，urban history，Japanese imperialism and colonialism in China，the regional history of Northeast China，globalization and Chinese cities
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Hannah HOLTZMAN Assistant Professor

Research Areas Global cinema，film history，media theory，documentary，digital media，ecocinema，technology studies
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Maiko KODAKA Assistant Professor

Research Areas Visual/Popular Culture，Anthropology of Japan，Gender and Sexuality，Media Studies and Digital Ethnography
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Shion KONO Professor

Research Areas Comparative literature and modern Japanese literature
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Noriko MURAI Professor

Research Areas Modern art history，visual culture，gender studies
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Sven SAALER Professor

Research Areas Japanese political history，history of Japanese foreign relations，politics of memory，history of Pan-Asianism
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Matthew Carl STRECHER Professor

Research Areas Modern and contemporary Japanese literature，literary journalism，genre studies，mythology，global literature，postmodernism
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Mathew THOMPSON Associate Professor

Research Areas Medieval and early modern Japanese literature，particularly the otogizoshi，ko-joruri，gunkimono genres; samurai representation and the legend of Minamoto no Yoshitsune
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Angela YIU Professor

Research Areas Modern Japanese literature，literature and Tokyo
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