The word “Humanities” can be understood as human nature and its cultural values. We find human nature in diverse kinds of “texts,” attracting students in various fields of study: literature, languages, journalism, and those who are interested in delving into philosophical questions of humanity.
First, we take the time to build up the skills to read academic texts, with an emphasis on the importance of reading the original source to directly confront the author’s raw ideas and experiences. Encountering texts of different languages, regions, and time periods, students learn to understand others beyond the limitations of time and space, and ultimately, themselves.
We value an environment where students can actively interact with those around them, rather than grappling with the texts alone. In addition to offering many small-group classes, we also pride ourselves on promoting diversity, having teachers and students from various backgrounds. All faculties are located on the same campus, where students can learn and interact with each other across faculties, which helps them to cultivate a broader and richer perspective.
Philosophy, literature, history, and journalism studies are the fields which comprise the most fundamental part of humanity, and therefore, society. Learning to understand people and the world from texts and to develop an imaginative power for others corresponds with Sophia University’s educational philosophy of “For Others, With Others.” Students will acquire the ability to analyze complex social phenomena from a humanitarian perspective, to empathize with others, and to think critically.
Providing opportunity to study outside of your own department is an effective way for students to gain broader perspectives and a wide range of knowledge. The Faculty of Humanities offers the Interdisciplinary Humanities Program (IHP), which is designed to transcend departmental boundaries, encounter new knowledge, and generate creative learning environment.
Required courses to acquire the perspective that will become the foundation for this program. Students will explore their interests through lectures given by multiple faculty members to help them choose courses.
Each student will choose to enroll in one of the three courses, which has its own designated subjects. Students will deepen their knowledge in the areas of interest they found in the common courses and prepare to participate in specialized projects.
This is a small-group project in which students take the initiative in everything from deciding on the topic and launching a research project to presenting the results.
Students will explore their interests while taking the “Common Basic Subjects” and narrow it down to one. Students take “selective courses” and “specialized projects” designated for each course. Upon completion, participants will receive a certificate of project completion.
While in the freshmen year at faculies of literature at other universities, students will normally start their education from basic courses, Sophia Faculty of Humanities students start studying their field of interest from their first year. Not only does this allow students to gain deeper knowledge, but it also enables them to organize research that is best suited to their individual interests.
All departments have a “graduation thesis” as a required course. The process of reading, analyzing, and re-telling the subject of research in one’s own words over a period of one to one-and-a-half-years enables students to consolidate their knowledge with a concrete sense of accomplishment and to enhance their ability in a wide range of areas.
To explore the human condition through advanced specialist education and high quality academic research that fosters genuine understandings of our world and its people and sustains the spiritual heritage of humankind into the future.
To cultivate the abilities of analysis, comprehension, and expression that underpin a fundamental intellectual capacity to discern the essential nature of our world and its people, and thereby to produce autonomous individuals who believe in self-realization, think independently, and contribute to the world.
The Faculty of Humanities researches philosophy, thought, history, literature, culture, arts, information, the physical body, etc. in association with human dignity, which lies at the basis of humanities. By nurturing knowledge of liberal arts and humanities, we will foster independent humans who can create futures in various areas of society. Furthermore, by harnessing the outcomes of high-level specialized educations and high-quality academic research, we will nurture people who can contribute broadly to society and the world. The Faculty of Humanities 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.
In accordance with the Diploma Policy, the Faculty of Humanities consists of departments representing different disciplinary specialties. The faculty values the individual interests of each student studying different disciplinary specialties and provides advice based on personal relationships. In order to enable students and faculty members to collaboratively engage in humanities research as “an academic discipline addressing humans,” through a consistent high-quality curriculum, the Faculty of Humanities constructs its curriculum with courses aligned to the following purposes
The Faculty of Humanities expects motivated students with a deep and broad interest in the various disciplines of the humanities and liberal arts to select a department upon entrance and to actively thrive in their studies in a self-motivated and active manner. Hence, we welcome students with the following qualities:
Department of Philosophy
We train people’s “ability to think” and “ability to express” and cultivate their ability to confront problems with analytical, grasping, and insightful skills.
Department of History
By studying the theories and methods of history, students will develop the ability to analyze the society and the times with relative and objective viewpoints, while maintaining an international perspective and a pluralistic historical awareness.
Department of Japanese Literature
Through the study of Japanese culture, students will combine expertise and interdisciplinarity to gain academic knowledge and insight into the essence of human beings, society, and culture.
Department of English Literature
Through the analysis of literary works written in English, students will learn how to tackle the novel problems that arise in real life, and use their language and intellect to pave the way for solving various difficult problems in the international community.
Department of German Literature
Through the acquisition of the German language and the study of German culture, students will acquire a keen insight into the world and people, as well as advanced linguistic skills to express themselves creatively.
Department of French Literature
Students will not only acquire advanced French language skills and become familiar with French culture, but they will also acquire the multifaceted thinking and tolerance for the difference that is at the root of the French mentality.
Department of Journalism
This course examines a wide range of issues related to the press and media, covering journalism and media communication in general.
Departments within the Faculty of Humanities :SPSF Department of Journalism
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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