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Master's Program
Comparative Studies of Societies and Cultures
The framework of modern education developed in the 20th century cannot easily adapt to the social, political, and economic changes of the global 21st century. In the face of this situation, it is necessary to create a new educational framework from within and transcend the old academic fields for interdisciplinary research. However, it is equally important in this age of globalization to respect regional cultures and societies, to nurture areas of expertise, to pass on universal truths gleaned from years of cumulative scholarship, and to acquire a broad perspective for navigating the changes progressing on a global scale.
The pursuit of interdisciplinary and comprehensive research first requires possession of specialized knowledge in a given area. For this reason, in the Comparative Studies of Societies and Cultures master's program, the fundamentals of specialized research gained in undergraduate work are built upon and further developed with the aim of true expertise in matters of society and culture. Simultaneously, students will acquire extensive knowledge based on wide, varied fields of scholarship, and work in coordination with related fields in preparation for interdisciplinary research in the doctoral program.
Departments in nine fields of study are established as follows.
In the field of language and culture, four departments are established for the improvement of language skills and the deepening of human understanding through area/cultural studies based on language and literature studies: Japanese Language and Literature; Asian Languages, Literature and Culture; English and French Languages, Literature and Culture; Applied Japanese Linguistics.
In the sociocultural field, three departments -- Philosophy, History and Art History, Cultural and Historical Studies -- are established for the study of global regions from the viewpoints of philosophy, history, and life and culture. The aims of research are to further the understanding of societies and cultures and to encourage international research with a focus on comparative studies.
In the field of artistic expression, two departments -- Dance and Music -- are established to provide a synergetic learning environment that encourages both theoretical studies on artistic expression and improving performance skills.
In addition, Comparative Studies of Societies and Cultures hosts an interdisciplinary, university-wide program called "Cultural Management" to broaden the social applications of cultural studies and to enhance the fundamental skills of cultural studies experts. Furthermore, collaborative education and learning opportunities with schools abroad are provided to promote interdisciplinary, international education grounded in fields of expertise. Students will learn an attitude of self-reliance and self-awareness in the process of conducting research in a global environment.
Department of Japanese Language and Literature
In this department, Japanese language and literature are studied in depth and by using a variety of methodologies. Representative literary works and genres from each of the historical periods are examined, with the ultimate objective being a better understanding of the essence of Japanese culture.
Department of Asian Languages, Literature and Culture
In this department we conduct research on the language and culture of the Chinese speaking world including such places as China (including Hong Kong), and Southeast Asia. Both comparative literature research on the reception and dissemination of classical Chinese literature in Japan, and comparative research on Chinese and other languages, especially Japanese are also conducted. We also put emphasis on training skilled teachers of Chinese language.
Department of English and French Languages, Literatures and Cultures
This department is divided into two separate degree programs: English and French. The first degree is a master's in "Language and Culture of the English-speaking World". The second degree is a master's in "Language and Culture of the French-speaking World". In both degree programs, the field of study is largely divided into literary and linguistic areas. The literary area deals with both the literature and culture of the English- or French-speaking world. The linguistic area covers English linguistics, French linguistics and linguistics-based studies of English teaching. Both English and French degrees can include comparative studies, or research on mutual influence, of the two languages, literatures and cultures.
Department of Applied Japanese Linguistics
This course was designed in response to the international demand for Japanese language teachers. Training and practical experience are provided for scholars and future teachers of Japanese language, as are refresher courses for those presently teaching Japanese as a second language.
Department of philosophy
This department is divided into the Philosophy course and the Ethics (Japanese History of Ethical Thought) course. The study and education of the philosophy course concentrates on Western philosophy. Especially, the education aims at improving student's competence in fundamental and analytical thinking by means of discussion on various and tangible problems. The study and education of the Ethics (Japanese History of Ethical Thought) course concentrates on exact reading and survey on Shintoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism. The academic activity aims at the clarification of the essence of Japanese thought from broad perspective.
Department of History and Art History
The research in this department is conducted on both history and art history. The art history course focuses on the history of South Asian and Buddhist art, and the history of modern and contemporary Western art. The history course focuses on three major areas: Japanese history, Asian history, and Western history. While developing the ability to learn the history and art history of these areas as a major, the students are expected to freely make comparisons between cultures, regions or time periods, regardless of countries or time periods, so that they can explore the world of history and art history vertically, horizontally, and even diagonally
Department of Cultural and Historical Studies
This department looks at the diversity of human life, mainly by adopting methods and theories of human science. Our subjects include crafts, residences, clothes in Europe and Japan, and human activities related to them. These topics need to be discussed and assessed in a broader context and this is the reason why we also cover theories of comparative culture, folklore, European mode, and aesthetics. We expect our students not only to obtain a deep understanding of daily life, but also to disseminate it to the world.
Department of Dance
Comprehensive research and education is conducted from an interdisciplinary perspective which encompasses art, ethnicity and education as keys to dance and expressive movement. To fill practical needs, knowledge of theories and science is taught to ensure that graduates become well-rounded such as researchers, directors and performers.
Department of Music
Research in this department is conducted on both the theory and practice of music, which we view as a representation of culture. From a theoretical perspective we examine the correlation between society and culture (including music) of the world. From a practical perspective we concentrate on Western keyboard music and voice, conduct empirical research on expressive techniques, and train performers of international caliber.
Human Developmental Sciences
The Human Developmental Sciences division approaches issues in human development from both interdisciplinary and specialized perspectives, and views the subject as both a social being and an individual. The graduate division aims to foster women in academia and experts in various fields based on the pillars of educational science, psychology, developmental and clinical psychology, applied sociology, child care, and education.
The master's program comprises the following five departments: Educational Science, Psychology, Developmental and Clinical Psychology, Applied Sociology, and Child Care and Education Across the Lifespan. Students in Human Developmental Sciences will acquire the basics of empirical methodology as well as the theories for comprehensively and organically intertwining "society", "humans" and "development" for pragmatic resolutions of sociopsychological pathologies.
Interdisciplinary education is emphasized in Human Developmental Sciences, and is realized not only by bringing together various research fields, but also by offering concrete options in the curriculum. In the reorganization in 2007, the "Social Communication" and "Human Developmental and Environmental Sciences" programs were newly established to encourage students to be proactive and independent. Students will deepen a field of expertise while simultaneously pursuing interdisciplinary methodologies and knowledge in order to pave the way for a variety of career paths. Specifically, the following types of graduates are expected from this master's program: Women expecting to enter the doctoral program, with an understanding of human developmental sciences and the social sciences; Government workers and researchers with expertise and practical experience in educational science, psychology, or sociology; Certified clinical psychologists and social scientists; Women with knowledge of child development and education methodologies, such as child development and education advisers at local child guidance offices. Teachers and school personnel with excellent policy and application abilities.
Department of Psychology
In this department human psychological mechanisms will be analyzed. Students will gain a multidimensional and comprehensive understanding of these mechanisms on both a time axis (development) and in spatial terms (society), with the brain as the focus of study.
Department of Developmental and Clinical Psychology
In this department, with a strong emphasis on clinical psychology, students will develop fundamental skills to conduct research in the field of developmental and clinical psychology, as well as practical expertise in dealing with those individuals with psychological and developmental issues in a variety of settings and social systems such as family, education, medicine, well-fare, judicial services and business.
Department of Applied Sociology
In this department the various issues of modern society (family, community, communication) will be examined from a sociological viewpoint.
Department of Child Care and Education Across the Lifespan
The study in this department targets mainly professionals in child care and child development, as well as graduates who plan to be involved in these fields. Students will gain a multifaceted understanding of the various issues occurring in these environments, the development and psychology of individuals, the interactions in such environments, as well as the influences of society and histories. Analyses and the development of strategies appropriate for the individual environments will also be conducted.
Gender and Social Sciences
Gender and Social Sciences Graduate Program offers master's degree leading to the doctoral program, "Interdisciplinary Gender Studies". The program is also affiliated with the Institute for Gender Studies, a part of the education and research organization for gender studies at Ochanomizu University. The graduate division pursues its own possibilities in social sciences research by critically analyzing gender theories.
The educational goals of Gender and Social Sciences Graduate Program lie in learning and research that will open the way to new realms in the 21st century, as well as in fostering internationally active women for a globalizing society in which men and women will be able to participate as equal members.
Upon completion of the master's program, a half of the graduates are expected to start careers in local or national governments as international government workers, NPO/NGO Workers, junior high and high school teachers, corporate employees, and researchers. Other graduates are expected to enter the doctoral programs in the Interdisciplinary Gender Studies program here at Ochanomizu University as well as those offered at universities abroad.
To provide a solid educational framework in gender studies and social sciences, "Gender and Social Science Theory" and "Basic Gender Theory" are prerequisite courses. Three advanced courses will be available for students who complete the prerequisite courses: Social and Family Policy; Geography and Environmental Studies; and Gender and Development Studies. Students will concentrate on the programs offered in each respective course; where they will develop expertise in a certain filed and have the opportunity of taking electives courses.
Department of Social and Family Policy
The M.A. programs in Social and Family Policy focus on issues of human life, family life and gender issues in contemporary Japan. The programs emphasize on an interdisciplinary approach from law, politics, economics and sociology. The department offers courses on law and the fields of gender and law, politics, consumer issues, economics, the aging society, family relations and information on daily life. Special lecture courses on home economics education prepare students for the advanced certificate to teach home economics in high school.
Department of Geography and Environmental Studies
In geographical environment course, interest is centered on in man-environment relationships, evolving spatially in the real world. Lectures and seminars are arranged for analyses and syntheses of geographical data and information, from the standpoint of physical geography and socioeconomic geography, or humanistic geography.
Department of Gender and Development Studies
The Department of Gender and Development Studies was established in 1997 as the first master's level program of its kind in Japan to pursue the following three objectives.
1.Gender-sensitive development studies: Development is a process of building economic, political and socio-cultural conditions for the self-actualization of individuals, women and men, through fostering of their capabilities. A gender-sensitive analysis is indispensable in achieving this goal.
2.Linkage of theories and practices: To meet the increasing demand for gender-sensitive development, both within Japan and abroad, we provide an intellectual space where researchers and development practitioners can meet and exchange experiences so as to mutually enrich their thinking.
Interdisciplinary approach: To deal with complex development issues, the instructional faculty is recruited from a variety of disciplines: anthropology, sociology, geography, economics, and gender studies. This enables them to promote an interdisciplinary approach to gender and development studies.
Life Sciences
The lives of human beings are possible only in harmony with the environment. However, in the pursuit of conveniences available with technological advances, it is undeniable that the Earth as an environment is facing a crisis. It is expected in these circumstances that life sciences, the study of life and daily living, will come to the forefront as the science of the 21st century.
In the Life Sciences graduate division, the academic fields of science, technology, and life sciences (which range from basic biological science to biotechnology) are integrated organically to provide a new kind of learning and research environment. The graduate division focuses on the global environment as it affects human being and also healthy life-and-living styles to make the shift towards a sustainable world in which the human race and the environment can coexist. Based on these principles, the Life Sciences master's program is committed to fostering specialists and providing an education that will lead to imaginative and highly advanced studies in the doctoral program.
Five departments have been established in this graduate division: Biological Sciences, Human Environmental Sciences, Food and Nutritional Sciences, Genetic Counseling, and Genetic Counseling (Japan Science and Technology Agency Initiative Course)
Department of Biological Sciences
Biological Sciences involve the biological studies in various organisms, including humans, at the levels of gene, genome, macromolecule, cell, and individual, to understand the universality and diversity of organisms and the relationships between organisms and their environments.
Department of Human Environmental Sciences
Human Environmental Sciences focus on various environmental issues stemming from the daily lives of humans. Characteristics of the human as a living being, human biophysiological mechanisms, as well as interactions between the human body and the environment will be examined.
Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences
Food and Nutritional Sciences range from basic food research to the development of applications. Research will involve establishing healthy food styles, analyzing and resolving issues in the prevention of lifestyle-related diseases, and examining food safety issues.
Department of Genetic Counseling
Genetic Counseling is to educate future genetics counselors who work to support people facing genetic conditions and birth defects.
Advanced Sciences
The Advanced Sciences division emphasizes the nature of academic fields in the sciences as basic sciences and encourages specialized knowledge in the fields of mathematics, physics, chemistry, and computer science. The division also aims to foster broad, flexible attitudes of learning that will be effective in related fields of study as well as new, emerging fields. Students with the fundamentals of mathematics, physics, chemistry, and computer science will engage in further specialized education with the goal of becoming leading experts in their respective fields. The benefits of a small university would be drawn upon to encourage cooperation between the related fields of computer science and mathematics, mathematics and physics, physics and chemistry, and with affiliated centers such as the Center for Soft Matter Physics and the Glycoscience Institute (or advanced and integrated research division), in order to nurture a wide vision unconfined to the framework of the individual fields and the ability to excel in new, yet unknown fields. Through such education and research activities, the Advanced Sciences division aims to create and develop new fields in the basic sciences (such as mathematical physics, or biochemistry, or particle physics that relates to both physics and computer science, or soft matter science that combines physics and chemistry). The master's program fosters professional experts as well as researchers who will go on to receive their doctorates. The Advanced Sciences graduate division consists of four departments: Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Biochemistry, and Computer Science.
Department of Mathematics
We conduct research and education on advanced mathematics together with its newly developed applications to various fields.
Department of Physics
Our education and research programs integrate a wide variety of physical approaches such as quantum theory, statistical mechanics and the theory of relativity, in order to understand various aspects of material properties and in order to predict new physical phenomena, on broad scales from elementary particles to universe, including solids, liquids, and soft matter, which are aggregates of atoms and molecules.
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
The Chemistry and Biochemistry Department involves the study of a variety of organic and inorganic molecules that make up substances, biomolecules, and supermolecules, for a fundamental and multifaceted academic examination of structure and properties, synthesis and reaction, functionality and phenomena.
Department of Computer Science
The Computer Science Department conducts a wide range of special courses and research involving computer science and the mathematical sciences. Students will become familiar with information theory and system technologies and gain an understanding of the mathematical sciences and its applications.
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