Educational Policy

Curriculum

Educational Objectives and Policies

Education and Research Objectives

To cultivate critical interest in human society, and the capacity to comprehend the mechanisms of social phenomena through the use of sociological approaches and empirical analysis.

Human Resource Development Objectives

To produce graduates equipped with sociological insights and methodological knowledge who are capable of employing an international outlook and humanitarian approach in proposing problemsolving solutions in practical settings.

Diploma policy

With an aim to foster individuals with the following qualities to achieve a fair and equitable society that protects human dignity, the Department of Sociology sets the following standards for the skills and knowledge students should acquire before graduation. Those who fulfill the graduation requirements shall be deemed to have acquired these qualities and will be awarded a diploma.

1. An interest in various social issues and the ability to understand social phenomena through a sociological approach.
2. The ability to understand and analyze the mechanisms of social phenomena using basic theories and empirical methods.
3. The ability to understand the characteristics of the various dimensions of modern society as they relate to social structure and social change.
4. The ability to understand diverse others and to propose sociologically-informed solutions for creating an inclusive society.

In addition to the above, the SPSF course sets the following abilities which students should acquire before graduation as common requirements across its six departments (Department of Journalism, Department of Education, Department of Sociology, Department of Economics, Department of Management, Department of Global Studies).

5. The ability to learn the basic knowledge on “Sustainable Futures,” to understand its importance, and to take action towards resolving challenges to the sustainable futures by drawing upon their academic discipline as well as from the other five disciplines in the SPSF course they learn.
6. The ability to understand and apply the interdisciplinary perspectives and methodologies, learned in their academic discipline and in the other five disciplines of the SPSF course, when addressing issues and presenting their ideas.

Curriculum policy

In accordance with the Diploma Policy, the Department of Sociology’s curriculum consists of courses aligned with the following objectives.

1. Through small-group seminars, have students acquire basic sociological perspectives and knowledge of methodologies necessary for developing sociological research interests.
2. With regard to “theory and methods” as the basic tools of sociological analysis, have students acquire, through exposure to sociological theories, logical thinking skills and the ability to conceptualize a research interest and model its research design; and through quantitative or qualitative research skills acquired through courses in social survey methods, the ability to analyze social phenomena.
3. To apply the theoretical and methodological knowledge acquired to specific areas of modern society to deepen one’s understanding of the structure(s) and change(s) within such areas.
4. To foster the ability to develop research questions based on individual concerns, and while maintaining a global outlook that respects human dignity, perform sophisticated analyses and engage in critical discussions.

In addition to the above, the SPSF course constructs its curriculum in the following manner, for the purpose of achieving the common diploma policy across the six departments:

5. To enable the students during the first year to acquire a basic knowledge on “Sustainable Futures” and the relating issues through the SPSF General Studies Courses, drawing on the perspectives of six disciplines. Based on the acquired knowledge, the students will be able to deepen their understanding in various challenges related to the sustainable futures through Elective Courses in the University-wide General Studies Courses, and they will be also able to learn about the approaches, contents, and methodologies of the different disciplines through Specialized Courses offered by each department.
6. To enable students to gradually gain knowledge of the different disciplines of each Department and also acquire a wide range of knowledge through the courses offered by other faculties and departments which have been designated to offer Elective Compulsory Courses or Elective Courses. Thus, the students will be able to acquire the various perspectives, contents, and methodologies, as well as comprehensive approaches from the courses.

Admissions policy

In order to achieve our aim of fostering individuals who qualify for a degree, the Department of Sociology welcomes students with the following motivations and interests:

1. Possesses an interest in a wide range of social disciplines, including politics, economics, and history, that will assist in deeply understanding diversified relationships among society, culture, and individuals.
2. Possesses both the ability to think logically and a proactive attitude towards communication, and a strong motivation to build on such abilities to foster a rich imagination that considers others and society.
3. Possesses a future vision of contributing in one’s own way to realizing a fair society based on mutual understanding in which all members are respected.

Faculty Members

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