Curriculum

Program Features

Core Disciplines Studied

Prospects for Post-Completion Career Paths and Demand by the Current Economic Society

Day and Evening Classes and a Long-term Enrollment System that Enables Students to Study While Working

Selected Thesis Topics

Master’s Program

Doctoral Program

Educational Policies

Diploma Policy

Master’s Program

The Master’s Program in Death and Life Studies sets standards for the skills and knowledge students should acquire before graduation as described below: Those who fulfill the graduation requirements and pass their thesis defense shall be deemed to have acquired these qualities and will be awarded a diploma

1. The ability to understand research questions in one of the following academic fields: “the public nature of religion,” “view of life and death and life ethics,” and “clinical spiritual care”; and the ability to proactively engage in fundamental research
2. The ability to understand the practical meaning and role that one’s research bears in the field
3. The ability to pursue practical questions and contribute to academics through a logically and academically structured thesis

Doctoral Program

The Doctoral Program in Death and Life Studies sets standards for the skills and knowledge students should acquire before graduation as described below: Those who fulfill the graduation requirements and pass their dissertation defense shall be deemed to have acquired these qualities and will be awarded a diploma.

1. The ability to contribute to academics as an independent researcher of practical religious studies based on high expertise or interdisciplinary knowledge of the humanities, centered on religious studies
2. A deep understanding for the ideological and religious foundations and social background of the place of religious practice that is the target of one’s research and the ability to contribute to the practical exploration of research questions and the fostering of younger human resources as educators and practitioners
3. Completion of a dissertation of high standards and originality that can contribute to the exploration of sophisticated practical research questions and academics

Curriculum Policy

Master’s Program

In accordance with the diploma policy, the Master’s Program in Death and Life Studies constructs its curriculum with courses aligned to the following purposes:

1. Through the mandatory courses “Death and Life Studies Methodology I”, “Death and Life Studies Methodology II”, and “Reading in English,” have students acquire methodologies and research ethics that will form the foundations of research. Train students in their academic field, selected from the three research fields, “Public Nature of Religion,” “View of Life and Death,” and “Clinical Spiritual Care,” by having them take two Seminar Courses (4 credits) representing their research field and one Seminar Course (2 credits) from an adjacent research field as compulsory elective courses. Furthermore, have students deepen their interdisciplinary knowledge through elective courses.
2. Have students acquire highly interdisciplinary and specialized knowledge in humanities and social sciences associated with religion, tradition, history and thought as well as a practical understanding of death and life studies issues through direct experiences dealing with death and life studies issues in Internship Courses and Seminar Courses.
3. Under the close research guidance provided by the research advisor assigned immediately after enrollment the “Research Guidance” course offered every semester, have students compile a thesis based on an appropriate understanding of issues and research methodologies.

Doctoral Program

In accordance with the diploma policy, the Doctoral Program in Death and Life Studies constructs its curriculum with courses aligned to the following purposes:

1. Offer “Practical Studies of Religion Colloquium I” and “Practical Studies of Religion Colloquium II” as compulsory courses and foster basic research abilities through the acquisition of the ability for constructive criticism and research ethics.
2. In response to the diversified aims and academic interest of students, offer a group of special research courses from which students may select courses representing multiple disciplines. Through the courses, students will deepen their knowledge of their research fields and acquire knowledge of complex death and life studies issues. Students requiring stronger practical skills in providing care will foster practical clinical skills and guidance skills by taking courses including OJT.
3. Have students acquire research application skills and presentation skills through research guidance tailored to individual is sues, and based on a review of their research plans, have them acquire research skills with high expertise and originality as well as the firm educational skills required of an educator.
4. Have students compile their dissertation in accordance with an original and active research plan with a practical viewpoint, based on their coursework and research guidance and preliminary dissertation review

Admission Policy

Master’s Program

The Master’s Program in Death and Life Studies seeks students with the following qualities:

1. Students who have acquired or will acquire a Bachelor’s degree in Humanities, Social Sciences, Psychology, Welfare, Medicine, etc. and who are interested in academic disciplines that Address the various issues arousing in modern society based on religious culture and traditions of ethical thought, or practical disciplines that address healthcare and spiritual care-related issues or practical and clinical issues of local community based on training in the humanities, social science s and spiritual care
2. Students who aspire to train as a spiritual caregiver under programs accredited by the Japan Society of Spiritual Care, and pursue further training as a high-level caregiver
3. Students who embrace the academic skills and aptitude equivalent to the above

Doctoral Program

The Doctoral Program in Death and Life Studies seeks students with the following qualities:

1. Students who have acquired a Master’s degree from the Master’s program of our graduate school or another equivalent program, those who have acquired an equivalent level of knowledge and bear the potential for research, and those who have accumulated deep practical activities in their disciplinary specialties
2. Those who have the knowledge and sensitivity to address the various issues arousing in modern society based on consideration of religious, cultural, ethical and philosophical traditions
3. Those who are interested in practicing healthcare and spiritual care or addressing practical and clinical issues of local community based on humanities and practical spiritual care

Faculty Members

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