For more than half a century since its founding, the Department of English Studies has had as its educational mission “to provide students with practical English language skills and knowledge of a broad range of cultural backgrounds, and to send them out into society as individuals who can play an active role anywhere in the world.” The world has changed over time, but our mission remains the same. In the midst of rapidly advancing globalization, we are further strengthening the two pillars of our education: outstanding English language skills and a broad-based liberal arts education. In particular, the department offers nine courses of study to cultivate people with not only a broad range of knowledge, but also deeper expertise. Graduates of the department have gone on to diverse fields of study and are active worldwide.
In the First Major program, students take compulsory courses to intensively develop their four English language skills, English and English-Speaking Studies and English-Speaking Basic Courses to learn about the culture and history of English-speaking countries. While improving their English language skills to the point where they can write professional and academic documents in English, students also deepen their understanding of political and social issues in English-speaking countries and consider the impact of differences in regional and people’s backgrounds on communication.
In the Second Major or Minor, students choose one of nine research courses for specialized study and research. Many students gain overseas experience through short-term study-abroad programs or exchange programs, and by utilizing the credit system, it is possible for students to graduate in four years even if they study abroad for one year.
as of 2026
* Please refer to the syllabus for more information on the courses.
Students will improve their four English skills (reading, listening, writing, and speaking) through a variety of class formats, such as debates, using world news, Japanese history, and current events. Each Skills class is designed to prepare students for the more in-depth academic classes offered in the third and fourth years.
Students will acquire the skills to write professional and academic English documents. Students will also learn how to edit, proofread, and cite in order to communicate logically and accurately to others.
Cultures of the English-Speaking World
Students will deepen their issues on the culture and life in English-speaking countries, mainly the U.S. and the U.K., using news, literary works, and movies. Political and social issues will also be touched upon.
This course examines the problems that arise when people from different backgrounds communicate, the content and causes of these problems, and how to solve them.
We will elucidate the differences in cultural backgrounds of individuals and groups. We will approach the question, “How do Japanese and Americans differ psychologically?”
We invite alumni, mainly from the Department of English Studies, to talk about their life paths, their current jobs, and the industry, to help them think about their own career paths.
Curatorial courses are available.
To cultivate exceptional proficiency in the English language, and impart a broad base of knowledge (of linguistics, humanities and social sciences, and the basic features of the English-speaking world) that will provide the foundations for specialized research in fields such as area studies and linguistics.
To produce individuals capable of contributing to increasingly globalized societies through advanced proficiency in the English language, and experts in research related to area studies and linguistics
The Department of English Studies sets standards for the skills and knowledge students should acquire before graduations as described below. Those who fulfill the graduation requirements shall be deemed to have acquired these qualities and will be awarded a diploma. The Department aims to have all students reach a level of proficiency equivalent to “C1” (level sufficient to study at an overseas graduate school) under the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) at the timing of graduation and furthermore to have as many students as possible reach a level equivalent to “C2” (level exceeding C1).
In accordance with the Diploma Policy, the Department of English Studies constructs its curriculum with courses aligned with the following purposes
The Department of English Studies:
Mariko IIJIMA Professor
Shinichi IZUMI Professor
John WILLIAMS Professor
Laurence WILLIAMS Professor
Yuko OTSUKA Professor
Kimiyo OGAWA Professor
Mafuyu KITAHARA Professor
Fumiko SAKASHITA Professor
Mitsuyo SAKAMOTO Professor
Makiko DEGUCHI Professor
Takanori TOGO Professor
Lisa FAIRBROTHER Professor
Marc KAUFMAN Associate Professor
Gavin FURUKAWA Associate Professor
Robert MACINTYRE Associate Professor
Ayuko TAKEDA Assistant Professor
Megha WADHWA Assistant Professor
Kithinji KINYUA Lecturer
Deborah MAXFIELD Lecturer
Heidi LEE Lecturer
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