The aim of this program to pursue the nature of language through description and analysis of various linguistic phenomena, comparing various languages based on a deep understanding of linguistic theory. The course includes subjects such as general linguistic theory, phonetics, phonology, syntax, semantics, and language acquisition theory, and aims to develop specialists in the field of linguistics who can take an active role in the future. In addition, the faculty members in this program mainly conduct research in a wide variety of languages including English, Japanese, Spanish, Russian, and Korean (and other related languages), and through their daily research activities, students are encouraged to cultivate deep insight into each language and to acquire advanced language proficiency.
European and American Languages and Cultures
Overview
Outline of study in master's programs
The goal of the master's program is to enable the acquisition of expert knowledge of linguistics, literature, philosophy, religious studies, arts and culture studies, history and social sciences, and language education, and cultivate the capabilities to conduct studies and research by widely utilizing this knowledge based on the characteristics of Europe, America, and the Pacific Rim, together with advanced language skills, and to develop people who possess outstanding knowledge and skills capable of taking part internationally in various domains including academia and education.
The doctoral program aims to develop researchers and educators who build upon rich expert knowledge of linguistics, literature, philosophy, religious studies, arts and culture studies, history and social sciences, and language education, and who have high-level capabilities to conduct research by widely utilizing this knowledge based on the characteristics of Europe, the United States, and the Pacific Rim, as well as advanced language capabilities, deep insight, and the ability to conduct creative research regarding human nature.
Curriculum features
From April 2024, the Course in European and American Languages and Cultures will be reorganized into four programs instead of the previous five: Linguistics, Language Education and Applied Linguistics, Literature and Philosophy, and History and Social Sciences. These are designed based on the academic fields that form the basis of humanities, and students select one of these, specializing in that field in-depth. At the same time, students can take classes from other programs or courses across different disciplines, allowing them to develop their own research into a more profound and rich study from a broader perspective.
Linguistics
Language Education and Applied Linguistics
This program is designed to conduct specialized research in applied linguistics, including language education, under a variety of curriculum according to the needs of students. It aims to develop professionals who can take an active role in the future both in research and practical fields by providing various research areas such as English education, Japanese education, Spanish education, conversation analysis, bilingualism, second language acquisition theory, language policy theory, psycholinguistics, etc. In the research fields of English and Japanese education, this course aims to provide guidance to those who are already working as teachers on the most up-to-date language teaching methods that meet the needs of society.
Literature and Philosophy
In the literature field of this program, students will read closely and analyze a wide range of literary texts in European and American languages, including poetry, novels, theater, and criticisms, and deepen their insight into the culture, history, and society that form their backgrounds. The program also includes a method of comparing works from different cultural spheres, languages, genres, and methods of expression, and examining them from a cross-border perspective. In the field of philosophy, students will deepen their understanding of thought, philosophy, and religion as the basis for cross-national and cross-regional thinking, taking into account complex social situations in contemporary Europe and the United States. In each of these fields, this program aims to enable the acquisition of the knowledge necessary for advanced intellectual pursuits, the ability to apply that knowledge, specialized analytical skills, and the presentation skills needed to present research results.
History and Social Sciences
In this program, students study a wide range of subjects related to history and contemporary society, mainly in English-speaking and Spanish-speaking countries, regions, and fields, aiming to develop professionals with expert knowledge and advanced research capabilities in these domains. In the area of history, the curriculum includes European and American history, particularly British, Spanish, and Latin American history; in the area of contemporary society, it includes cultural and social studies focusing on the Andean and Oceania regions, as well as political communication, political science, and international relations theory. This enables students to specialize in research in related fields while improving their language proficiency of the target regions.
