History is the study of “learning from the past, understanding the present, and guiding the future” through the process of evaluating and analyzing data from the past, historical documents and determining historical facts. First, we focus on developing perception for the truth and the ability to identify problems without prejudice or bias, by the practice of delving into the primary sources and the accumulation of existing prior research. Next, we build up for the output of acquired knowledge with clear logic and objectivity, to actively participate in solving the problems posed. An extensive knowledge that transcends the time and deep understandings of society nurtured through the historical research enables our students to make a change in global society with an international perspective and a pluralistic historical approach.
The Department of History has two majors, “Asian and Japanese History” and “European and American History,” which are further subdivided by period: Ancient, Medieval, Early Modern, and Modern.
In the first year, students learn the basics of historical research through courses such as Introduction to the above two fields, Introduction to Transregional History and Adjacent Studies, Introduction to Historical Research, and Introductory Seminar in Historical Studies. It is also a period for finding one’s own interests in a wide range of areas.
In the second year, students are to choose the pre-seminars (History Liberal Arts Seminar and Reading Seminar) subdivided by field and period of their choice to learn specialized study methods.
From the third year, students deepen their analytical and interpretive abilities in specialized seminars under the supervision of their advisors, and in the fourth year, they produce a graduation thesis that serves as the culmination of their academic training.
as of 2026
* Please refer to the syllabus for more information on the courses.
Each year, the program will focus on a different theme, such as “Myth and Lore,” “The Relationship between History and Narrative,” or “The Frontiers of Sensory and Emotional History,” and students will learn about issues in contemporary history through interdisciplinary lectures based on the latest research in multiple fields.
This course examines beliefs and ideas that transcend national borders, the movement and exchange of people, the contributions to international commerce made by groups of people displaced from their home countries and their backgrounds, and reexamines the historical picture of early modern Europe from the perspective of people’s connections and trust formation.
In this course, students will study the society, history, religion, and cultural exchange of the time through the art of the ancient Orient. We will specifically examine archaeological sites and artifacts from West Asia, Egypt, and Central Asia. Students will also learn about the preservation, collection, and exhibition of historical heritage.
In this course we trace the significance of “history” as an embryo of human culture, and the formation and progress of the discipline that studies and depicts it in relation to each period and region. Based on the knowledge gained through this process, students will also consider the ideal nature of modern historical studies.
Students will learn the basics of deciphering ancient documents, which are essential for the study of Japanese history. Students will read a variety of ancient documents from ancient times to the modern era to learn writing styles and words, cursive and running script of Chinese characters, variant characters, abbreviations, variant kana, etc.
As an introduction to the study of the history of emotions, this course provides an overview of its significance and research methods. We will also focus on “affective politics” in modern Germany in specific terms, and review and discuss its texts. Lectures may be given in English, German, or Japanese.
Curatorial courses are available.
To cultivate the ability to conduct rigorous research and closely examine various events and social phenomena, as well as the ability to evaluate society and the times in a multidimensional and comprehensive manner through the study of the theories and methods of history
To become a person who can understand the historical origins of the problems of human society by exploring the past, delivering their findings to society in order to tackle the current problems, and provide guidelines for the future.
The Department aims to nurture individuals who can contribute to society by acquiring the ability to critically evaluate modern society captured through its historical context rather than solely focusing on the current events, and by cultivating a multidimensional historical awareness and an international perspective that will serve as a foundation for multicultural conviviality. Students will have acquired the following qualities by graduation, and students who fulfill the following graduation requirements are recognized as having acquired these abilities and knowledge and are awarded a degree.
The curriculum is organized in line with the Diploma Policy, so that students can start from broad studies to highly specialized research.
History is the study of the past to gain a deeper understanding of the present and to provide a guidance for the future. Therefore, we accept students who has:
Katsutaka HOJO Professor
Katsuaki NAKAZAWA Professor
Shinzo KAWAMURA Professor
Eri NAKAMURA Associate Professor
Yuko OKAWA Associate Professor
Yuji SASAGAWA Professor
Aki NAKAGAWA Professor
Naruo YAMAMOTO Professor
Masanori SAKANO Professor
Naoko MORITA Professor
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