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Educational/Research Objectives and Policies - Faculty of Cultural Studies

Department of Kyoto Studies

Educational and Research Objectives

The Faculty of Cultural Studies aims to nurture individuals with strong grounding and rich knowledge in cultural studies, who are willing to contribute to local and international communities, with flexible adaptability and ability to handle various cultural issues.

Department of Kyoto Studies

The Department of Kyoto Studies aims to nurture individuals with adaptability and practical skills, who have a broad education of academic fields related to the cultures of Kyoto and Japan and the ability to explore the culture of Kyoto in depth, as well as proficiency in traditional and artistic cultures, rich sensibilities, and logical thinking skills. We also aim to nurture individuals who have the English proficiency needed to disseminate the culture of Kyoto overseas.

Policies

Diploma Policy

To ensure that students acquire the following qualities, the Department of Kyoto Studies in the Faculty of Cultural Studies confers a “bachelor’s degree (in Kyoto studies)” on students who have completed the curriculum and fulfilled the graduation requirements established by the Department of Kyoto Studies:

Knowledge and Understanding

  1. Basic knowledge of the culture of Kyoto and understanding of its contemporary significance in Japanese culture.
  2. Understanding of the fundamentals of surveys and research on the culture of Kyoto, including their methods. Also, basic education on both Japanese and foreign culture, and understanding of the fundamentals of cross-cultural understanding and international exchange methods.

Skills

  1. Acquisition of fundamental methods such as literature materials analysis, fieldwork, and cultural heritage surveys and the ability to investigate the culture of Kyoto. Also, the ability to use English and communication skills to disseminate the cultures of Kyoto and Japan overseas.
  2. Ability to present the results of surveys, research, or social implementation in reports and presentations.
  3. Understanding of the traditions and characteristics of local societies and ability to contribute to the formation of communities while respecting others.

Attitude and Orientation

  1. Sustained willingness to use the knowledge of the culture of Kyoto acquired in the university to solve various problems in local society.
  2. Sustained willingness to create value through the cultures of Kyoto and Japan, including promotion of international exchange.

Curriculum Policy

To achieve the aims set out in the Diploma Policy (for approving graduation and conferring degrees), the Faculty of Cultural Studies offers general education courses open to all undergraduate students and faculty-level specialized education courses. Moreover, to enhance the curriculum, our educational content and methods are optimized based on students’ questionnaires and data such as credit earning status. Our specialized education consists of core courses, advanced courses, seminar courses, and related courses, and the system and structure of the curriculum is laid out explicitly using a numbering system.
Details of the educational content, educational methods, and evaluation of learning outcomes are outlined below:

1. Educational Content

  1. We offer general education courses, which are divided into “human science education courses,” “language education courses,” “physical education courses,” and “career development support education courses” in accordance with the Curriculum Policy of Kyoto Sangyo University, in which students take classes aimed at acquiring the wide-ranging education needed to move toward the goals set out in the Diploma Policy.
  2. In our specialized education courses, in the first year, students acquire basic knowledge of the culture of Kyoto through core courses. Moreover, through the field exercise in the Kyoto culture seminar course, students learn about practical methods used in the study of the culture of Kyoto, including situational approaches. In addition, in the fall semester, students are divided into the Kyoto Culture Program and the Kyoto Culture English Communication Program; the latter is designed to strengthen students’ practical English skills through various English courses.
    In the second year, students begin taking advanced courses. Students develop the basic ability needed to conduct their own research projects through the Basic Seminar in Kyoto Culture and Basic Seminar in Cross-cultural Communication. In the Kyoto Culture English Communication Program, students strengthen their practical English skills through various English courses with a view to study abroad.
    In the third year, in Kyoto Culture Seminar I and Cross-cultural Communication Seminar I, students begin conducting full-scale research in their specialized field, acquire the wide-ranging knowledge needed to pursue research projects, and develop the ability to write their graduation report in the fourth year. In addition, students acquire practical and specialized presentation skills and communication skills. In the fourth year, students complete their graduation report in Kyoto Culture Seminar II and Intercultural Communication Seminar II and are encouraged to constantly strive to conduct research on the culture of Kyoto and disseminate the cultures of Kyoto and Japan overseas even after graduation, contributing to local and international communities.

2. Educational Methods

  1. We have incorporated co-participatory educational methods, such as active learning and group work, in a number of courses, including Kyoto Culture Field Exercise and Kyoto Culture Field Exercise II.
  2. In our seminar courses, to encourage the growth of each student, we have incorporated interactive educational methods, such as turn-based reading, discussion, presentations, fieldwork, and individualized instruction.
  3. In courses such as Practical Kyoto Culture in English, we have incorporated practical educational methods that anticipate various future paths related to the study of the culture of Kyoto.

3. Evaluation of Learning Outcomes

The learning outcomes of each course are evaluated according to the academic assessment method stipulated in the syllabus of each course.
The characteristic assessment methods adopted by the department are as follows:

  1. In our seminar courses, practical learning courses (Museum Practice, etc.), and teacher training courses (Junior High School Social Studies, Senior High School Geography/History), we conduct formative assessment based on ongoing dialog with individual students using methods such as portfolios.
  2. For study abroad, we conduct formative assessment based on ongoing dialog with individual students, both before and after the period of study abroad, through courses such as Study Abroad Pre-departure Guidance and Study Abroad Follow-up.

Admission Policy

The Department of Kyoto Studies as a whole aims to nurture individuals with a broad education of academic fields related to the cultures of Kyoto and Japan, advanced expertise in traditional and artistic cultures, and rich sensibilities and logical thinking skills. To achieve these goals, we have established the Kyoto Culture Program, for nurturing individuals who can explore the culture of Kyoto in depth, and the Kyoto Culture English Communication Program, for nurturing individuals with the English proficiency needed to disseminate the cultures of Japan and Kyoto overseas. To ensure that all students can grow into individuals who fit this description through the four-year curriculum, the Department of Kyoto Studies seeks students with the following qualities:

  1. Basic academic ability required to learn about the significance of Kyoto culture in Japanese culture and various problems, past and present, from an international perspective.
  2. Interest in the cultures of Kyoto and Japan and strong willingness to learn independently.
  3. Wide interest in issues from local to global level and ability to engage in exchange with a variety of individuals.
    　In addition, students are selected using a variety of methods, as stipulated in the Admission Policy of Kyoto Sangyo University.

Department of Intercultural Studies

Educational and Research Objectives

The Department of Intercultural Studies aims to produce individuals who are equipped with knowledge of history, philosophy, literature, arts, and world cultures; who have the willingness to contribute to local communities as well as the international community; who have the ability to use English for international communication; and who are capable of addressing various cultural issues with flexibility and competence.

Policies

Diploma Policy

To ensure that students acquire the following qualities, the Department of Intercultural Studies in the Faculty of Cultural Studies confers a “bachelor’s degree (in intercultural studies)” on students who have completed the curriculum and fulfilled the graduation requirements established by the Department of Intercultural Studies:

Knowledge and Understanding

  1. Knowledge needed to respond to a variety of issues concerning world cultures from a global perspective and an understanding of ways (methods) to achieve this objective, in particular, basic knowledge of world cultures; an understanding of their diversity, characteristics, and importance; and an understanding of the methods for cross-cultural understanding and international exchange, are essential.
  2. In-depth knowledge of either General Cultures (history, philosophy, and literature/arts) or Regional Cultures (Asia, the United States, and Europe) and an understanding of the research methods are of essence.
  3. In addition to humanities, basic knowledge and education of the disciplines of social and natural sciences.

Skills

  1. Methodological skills for research and study of world cultures, in particular, the ability to understand/analyze/examine materials (historical materials/discourses/works), languages, and societies for the purpose of conducting research.
  2. Proficiency in English needed for international communication and basic ability in at least one other foreign language.
  3. Information processing skills that meet the needs of the times, supported by an appropriate ethical framework.
  4. Ability to express one’s thoughts in a logical manner, orally or in writing.
  5. Understanding of various ethnicities in international and local communities and ability to build mutual understanding with a variety of individuals.

Attitude and Orientation

  1. Ability to convey one’s thoughts and take action for peace, development, and the resolution of issues in international and local communities using knowledge gained at the university.
  2. Willingness to strive to enhance one’s character and further improve one’s knowledge and skills.

Curriculum Policy

To achieve the goals set out in the Diploma Policy (for approving graduation and conferring degrees), the Department of Intercultural Studies offers general education courses open to all undergraduate students and specialized education courses for faculty students. Moreover, to enhance the curriculum, our educational content and methods are optimized based on student questionnaires and data such as credit earning status. Our specialized education consists of core courses, advanced courses, seminar courses, and related courses, and the system and structure of the curriculum is laid out explicitly using a numbering system. With an awareness of the systematic and sequential nature of learning, we put into practice “the gradual course system” where students select either a General Cultures course (history, philosophy, or literature/arts) or a Regional Cultures course (Asia, the United States, or Europe) to acquire in-depth knowledge. However, they can also study subjects from the other track. In addition, we offer students programs on specific themes that are beyond the study focus of the main course to bolster flexibility for their future research paths.
the educational content, educational methods, and evaluation of learning outcomes are outlined below:

1. Educational Content

  1. We offer general education courses, which are divided into “human science education courses,” “language education courses,” “physical education courses,” and “career development support education courses” in accordance with the Curriculum Policy of Kyoto Sangyo University in which students take classes aimed at acquiring the wide-ranging education needed to move toward the goals set out in the Diploma Policy.
  2. In specialized education courses, first-year students learn the basics for the study of world cultures with core courses including “Introduction to Cultural Studies” and “Introduction to Comparative Cultural Studies,” as well as courses on Japanese culture/languages/information processing. They also learn the basics for university-level study with an orientation seminar, a reading seminar, and so on. In the second year, students start their course studies while at the same time raising their awareness about their future paths with the compulsory course “Studying in the Faculty of Cultural Studies and The Career Paths,” among other things. Students acquire basic knowledge, as well as knowledge of research methods that are required, mainly through the International Culture basic exercise and additional advanced courses that they are interested in. In the third year, students acquire curricular knowledge, as well as knowledge regarding research methods needed to conduct research, by starting research during the “International Culture Exercise I” course to hone their ability to complete their graduation research in the fourth year. In addition, their practical/specialized presentation skills and communication abilities are nurtured. In the fourth year, students complete their graduation research, etc. via the “International Culture Exercise II” course, and we help them to develop themselves as individuals who can understand different cultures on the basis of the perspectives/methods/knowledge of Cultural Studies; retain enthusiasm for research/dissemination of world cultures; and contribute to the peace and development of the international community and local communities as people who are always capable of taking on challenges and making efforts subsequent to graduation.

2. Educational Methods

We provide an exercise course in every academic year and educate students step-by-step in small classes. In particular, students acquire the basics for studying cultures via: an orientation seminar and reading seminar (first year); acquire knowledge of research methods and basic knowledge in the International Culture basic exercise (second year); decide on their research themes according to individual interest in the World Culture Exercise I (third year); and the World Culture Exercise II (fourth year). They then complete their research after carrying out their investigations and analyses. In the intervening period, we nurture the development of each student by using interactive teaching methods such as reading circles, discussions, presentations, fieldworks, and providing individual guidance.

3. Evaluation of Learning Outcomes

The learning outcomes of each course are evaluated according to the academic assessment methods stipulated in the syllabus of each course.
The characteristic assessment methods adopted by the department are as follows:

  1. For exercise courses, training courses (international world culture fieldwork training, museum visits, etc.), and teaching courses (for secondary-school English teachers), we conduct staged assessment (formative assessment) toward goal achievement by interacting with each student using portfolios, etc.
  2. For study abroad, we conduct goal achievement staged assessment (formative assessment) based on ongoing dialogue with individual students, both during, before, and after the period of study abroad, conducted by faculty members serving as study abroad advisors.

Admission Policy

The Department of Intercultural Studies aims to nurture individuals who can investigate, analyze, and research various world cultures, understand other cultures, and actively participate in international and local communities in the cultural domain. To achieve these goals, the Department has established the General Culture course and the Regional Culture course to equip students with specialized perspectives/knowledge/research methods of the respective courses.
To ensure that all students can grow into individuals who fit this description through the four-year curriculum, the Department of Intercultural Studies seeks students with the following qualities:

  1. Wide interest in world cultures and a desire to learn about them.
  2. Interest in history, philosophy, or literature/arts, and a strong desire to develop perspectives, knowledge, and methods in these areas and conduct research independently.
  3. Wide interest in issues, past and present, from familiar local issues to global issues, and willingness to engage in exchange with a variety of individuals.