Our Education and Research
The Human Sciences Major was approved as the Lifelong Learning Major in 1993, and was reorganized into the Human Sciences Major in 2005 to meet the wide range of learning needs. In this program, we have established a framework for education and research with a view to pursuing comprehensive and interdisciplinary intelligence in the field of human sciences.
While based on the traditional academic disciplines of psychology, sociology and education, the program aims to foster a wide range of insight and a high level of expertise in health, welfare, humanity, family relationships, community activities and lifelong learning for all ages, from children to the elderly, from a comprehensive perspective.
From this comprehensive standpoint of human sciences, students conduct research with the aim of improving and developing people’s lives. The following three aspects are the focus of the research:
(1) Human development with the understanding of physical and mental health over the time;
(2) Investigating the nature of learning and social systems that aim to improve and develop people’s lives; and
(3) Exploring research methods to advance specialized research.
Curriculum
The main theme of the curriculum in this program is“human inquiry”from a comprehensive and interdisciplinary perspective, focusing on psychology, sociology and education through the three foundation courses of “Specific Lectures on Human Sciences”, “Specific Lectures on Research Methodsin Human Sciences I” and “Specific Lectures on Research Methodsin Human Sciences II”.Students conduct research in the areas of psychology, sociocultural studies, education, welfare and sports/community studies with the aim of improving and developing people’s mental and physical health and people’s lives, and rejuvenating local communities.
Psychology courses include: foundation courses of “Specific Lectures on Experimental Psychology” and “Study of Personality Psychology”; and applied courses of “Specific Lectures on Health Education”, “Specific Lectures on Business Psychology”, “Psychology of Risk” and “Psychology of Design”.
Sociocultural studies courses include:“Selected Topics of Human Sciences: Socio Cultural Studies”, “Specific Lectures on Media Sociology”, “Seminar in Cultural Anthropology” and “Family/Gender/Sexuality”.
Education courses include: “Specific Lectures on Lifelong Learning”, “Specific Lectures on School Education”, “Specific Lectures on Supporting Activities for Children and Youth ”, “Specific Lectures on Non-Formal Education” and “Specific Lectures on Education Policy”.
Welfare courses include: “Specific Lectures on Social Work”, “Specific Lectures on School Social Work”, “Specific Lectures on Community Welfare”, “Specific Lectures on Health Promotion for Elderly” and “Introduction to Bioethics”.
Sports/community studies courses include: “Specific Lectures on Sports and Wellness” and “Specific Lectures on Facilitation ofCommunity Activities”.
The study of each theme in preparation of a master’s dissertation can be considered as applied research in psychology, sociology, education, etc.
Requirements and Method of Completion
The requirements for completing the program are that student must be enrolled in the graduate school for at least two years, earn at least 30 credits including 6 compulsory credits, receive necessary research supervision, and pass a master’s thesis review and a final examination.
Regarding the method of earning credits,students choose courses under the guidance of their academic advisors and earn the specified credits.Based on their own research plan, the students receive supervision by the academic advisor in the relevant research area.Research supervision is carried out individually and in the form of seminars on the content of the research at timetables set by the advisor in advance.
Degree and Other Qualifications
Upon completion of the master’s program in human sciences, students will be awarded a Master of Arts (Human Sciences).