Faculty of Human Sciences

Learning at Sophia – Faculty of Human Sciences Edition | Learn and think about your own “Lifestyle” at Sophia

About the Faculty of Human Sciences

Fostering professionals through education based on the Three Pillars of Knowledge

The Departments of Education, Psychology, Sociology, Social Services, and Nursing in the Faculty of Human Sciences all focus on the study of humankind and society, aiming to grasp the problems faced by people in around the world, and solutions for them.

Based on the three pillars of knowledge, namely Human Sciences, Policy Management, and Human Care, our programs aim to cultivate graduates who can contribute to human dignity in schools, hospitals, businesses, or any place or society that students belong to, as well as graduates who can take responsibility for social innovation.

Learning Highlights

Working from Both Policy and Practice to Build a Better Society

Creating an inclusive society requires addressing challenges such as declining birthrates, population aging, widening inequality, and other global issues. Now more than ever, learning grounded in human dignity is essential. The Faculty of Human Sciences is founded on a scientific, evidence-based approach that views human natures holistically.

Based on this perspective, students explore not only policies that can transform society but also the importance of working directly with people in the field.

Developing the Ability to Support People and Envision Better Ways of Living

Alongside acquiring specialized knowledge in their chosen discipline, students deepen their understanding of contemporary society by examining people and the environments in which they live. Small-class education, with close interaction between students and faculty members from the first year, fosters advanced knowledge of human support as well as the broad education, professional qualities, and practical skills needed to become effective practitioners.

Driving Change in a Diverse and Global Environment

Students can easily take courses across departments and faculties, creating abundant opportunities for interdisciplinary learning and research. By engaging with diverse perspectives and working alongside people in a wide range of real-world settings, they develop the ability to lead meaningful change and contribute to a better society.

Through a systematic four-year education, students build the knowledge, skills, and mindset needed to put Sophia University’s educational philosophy of “For Others, With Others” into practice.

Educational Objectives and Policies

: To cultivate scientific knowledge from the three pillars of Human Science, Policy Management, and Human Care, and to pursue interdisciplinary education and research on the theory, practice and clinical application thereof.

: To foster a spirit of respect for the dignity of human and produce graduates capable of both contributing to assuring the dignity of individuals based on holistic education and participating in design and policy-making in the practical, clinical and managerial fields of human care.

The Faculty of Human Sciences sets standards for the skills and knowledge students should acquire before graduation as follows. Students who fulfill the graduation requirements shall be deemed to have acquired these qualities and will be awarded a diploma.

The ability to comprehensively and multifacetedly understand the various issues human or society are facing from an international perspective, with respects of human dignity and broad cultural knowledge of human and society.
The ability to analyze such issues using appropriate scientific methods and engage in efforts to solve them in active cooperation with people from other disciplines.
The ability to constantly maintain an inquisitive mind, thrive in self-development and seek personal growth.

In accordance with Diploma Policy, the Faculty of Human Sciences constructs its curriculum with courses aligned to the following purposes with specific expertise:

During the freshman and sophomore years, to have students broadly study what human dignity is and what knowledge and skills are necessary to achieve it by taking courses offered under the Basic Courses Category or Specialized Courses offered by a different Department.
During the junior year, to have students acquire the foundations of thinking judgement, expressive skills, and communication skills as well as learn through practice the methodologies (theories and research methods) required for problem-solving through small-group education centered on seminars and fieldwork.
During the senior year, to offer opportunities for students to independently identify research questions, collect the data required to solve them, perform analysis based on the data collected, and present their research outcomes.

The Faculty of Human Sciences seeks to foster human resources who are appreciative of human dignity and respect it in education, healthcare, welfare, and daily life so that it will be realized; and hence welcomes students with the following qualities:

Students with a strong interest in human dignity-related phenomena occurring upon individuals as well as in society and other countries
Students with the basic knowledge and skills required to analyze such phenomena logically and objectively
Students who are capable of enhancing their communication skills and actively collaborating with those specializing in other disciplines
Students who are strongly motivated to support individuals and local communities with challenging situation and contribute to the development of international society

Departments

Department of Education

Students will achieve the knowledge, perspectives, and methods to nurture and develop human and the ability to approach basic, practical and international issues on education surrounding us.

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Department of Psychology

Through the scientific approach to the human “mind,” students will acquire comprehensive perspective necessary for a better life.

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Department of Sociology

Students will develop critical interest in human society, acquire an outlook from a sociological perspective, and obtain the ability to propose solutions to international and humanitarian issues.

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Department of Social Services

Students will acquire the ability to formulate new social welfare paradigm which individuals have better life and to put it into practice in concrete terms.

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Department of Nursing

The program aims to cultivate nursing professionals through theories and practices to human caring and to develop leadership skills that enable them to react to social change autonomously and flexibly.

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SPSF (Sophia Program for Sustainable Futures)

Departments within the Faculty of Human Sciences:
SPSF Department of Education
SPSF Department of Sociology

Sophia Program for Sustainable Futures (SPSF)

This program allows students to study common subjects on the theme of Sustainable Futures while studying a specialized field of study, and to obtain a degree only in English. Each student can deepen his or her learning from various perspectives with a firm professional footing specialized for the realization of a “sustainable future.”

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