Educational/Research Objectives and Policies - Faculty of Law

Educational and Research Objectives

Department of Law

The Department of Law aims to nurture individuals who contribute to the public good with legal knowledge and a practical, even-keeled mentality in order to facilitate smooth intercourse between people and an equitable coexistence through the construction of persuasive logic and rule-based organizations.

After learning about how law is interpreted and applied and acquiring the ability to make fair judgments and a legal mindset, the individuals will be able to reach appropriate conclusions on a variety of specific problems, thereby contributing to society.

Department of Interdisciplinary Studies in Law and Policy

The Department of Interdisciplinary Studies in Law and Policy aims to nurture individuals who contribute to the public good with legal knowledge and a practical, even-keeled mentality in order to facilitate smooth intercourse between people and an equitable coexistence through the construction of persuasive logic and rule-based organizations.

After learning about policy studies, which combines elements of legal and political science, and developing a strong public awareness and policy mindset, the individuals will be able to identify problems and work practically toward their resolution.

Policies

Diploma Policy

Department of Law

To ensure that students acquire the following mind skills based on the school philosophy, the Faculty of Law at Kyoto Sangyo University confers a “bachelor’s degree (in law)” on students who have completed the curriculum in law or political science, have met the predetermined graduation requirements, and are deemed to have acquired not only specialized knowledge but also an ethical perspective and a sense of balance, as well as the basic abilities needed to fulfill their obligations to society.

Knowledge and Understanding
Basic knowledge of law and political science for correctly understanding problems arising in modern society, and awareness and a broad sense of values to respect the rights and freedom of various individuals.
Thinking, Judgment, Problem Identification, and Problem Solving
Basic ability to analyze social problems using theories and concepts by capturing world events from various perspectives using the acquired framework of knowledge and decision making in law and political science, detect problems for oneself, apply legal rules, and basic logical thinking skills for solving problems.
Information Gathering and Communication
Basic communication skills for gathering information overflowing in society and the opinions of others, accurately analyzing, understanding and examining it critically, and appropriately conveying one’s ideas to third parties in a convincing way, orally or in writing.
Willingness, Interest, and Independence
Interest in resolving social problems and willingness to independently fulfill one’s social roles in the real world by utilizing the specialized knowledge acquired to resolve these problems.

Department of Interdisciplinary Studies in Law and Policy

To ensure that students acquire the following mind skills based on the school’s philosophy, Kyoto Sangyo University Faculty of Law confers a “bachelor’s degree (in law and policy)” on students who have completed the curriculum in law, political science, or policy studies, have met the predetermined graduation requirements, and are deemed to have acquired not only specialized knowledge but also an ethical perspective and a sense of balance, as well as the basic abilities needed to fulfill their obligations to society.

Knowledge and Understanding
Basic knowledge of law, political science, and policy studies for correctly understanding problems arising in modern society, and awareness and a broad sense of values to respect the rights and freedom of various individuals.
Thinking, Judgment, Problem Identification, and Problem Solving
Ability to interpret events and phenomena from various perspectives using the acquired framework of knowledge and decision making in law, political science, and policy studies, searching skills to identify social problems by oneself, analyze these problems using theories and concepts, and propose and evaluate measures for resolving social problems.
Information Gathering and Communication
Basic communication skills for gathering information overflowing in society and the opinions of others, accurately analyzing and understanding information and examining it critically, and appropriately conveying one’s ideas to third parties in a convincing way, orally or in writing.
Willingness, Interest, and Independence
Interest in resolving social problems and willingness to independently fulfill one’s social roles in the real world by utilizing the acquired specialized knowledge to resolve these problems.

Curriculum Policy

Department of Law

The Faculty of Law offers specialized education courses in law, political science, and policy studies in accordance with its Diploma Policy. In addition, to encourage the development of well-rounded individuals with a wide-ranging education, students are required to take general education courses stipulated in the Curriculum Policy of Kyoto Sangyo University, which leverage the university’s advantage as a one-campus university.

The structure of the curriculum is laid out explicitly using a numbering system that is applied to each course. This system is designed to facilitate the creation of sequential study plans because by taking courses systematically students can develop a deeper understanding of the content of each academic field. By selecting courses from a course numbering table based on their own interests and future aspirations, students can deepen their learning without straining themselves, and they can expect synergistic effects to arise from their learning.

1. Educational Content
For our specialized education courses, in the first year, students take small group classes (introductory courses) designed to help them adapt smoothly to university education, as well as basic courses.

From the second year, a variety of courses in law, political science, and policy studies are offered, using a program system that enables systematic learning. The Department of Law offers three programs: Comprehensive Law Program, Social Safety Program, and Politics and International Law Program, which are all designed to help students deepen their specialized knowledge and understanding and to develop their capacity for thought and judgment by studying the courses in their registered program in a systematic manner. In the Comprehensive Law Program, students develop an understanding of the rules on which society is based by studying law and legal approaches, giving them an opportunity to consider their future profession and way of life. In the Social Safety Program, to provide a curriculum that is influenced by the system in the United States and Europe called “criminal justice,” we have established courses in areas such as crime prevention, investigation, trial, and punishment, as well as courses on effective anti-crime measures, which include topics such as the role of governments, local society, and volunteers in preventing crime. In the Politics and International Law Program, we have established courses designed to help students acquire flexible thinking skills for studying politics and international relations from the foundations up, and for identifying and resolving disputes involving different nations, social positions, and cultures.

2. Educational Methods
Education is administered through lectures or seminars, depending on the content of each course.

To improve students’ ability to use their specialized knowledge to identify and solve problems, gather information, and communicate, and strengthen their willingness to learn proactively, from year one to four, we offer active learning courses (AL courses) in small group classes, which include activities such as report writing and research presentations.

In addition to providing systematic education under the programs described above, we have established a policy for supporting advanced learning among our highly motivated students.

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.

Department of Interdisciplinary Studies in Law and Policy

The Faculty of Law offers specialized education courses in law, political science, and policy studies in accordance with its Diploma Policy. In addition, to encourage the development of well-rounded individuals with a wide-ranging education, students are also required to take the general education courses stipulated in the Curriculum Policy of Kyoto Sangyo University, which leverage the university’s advantage as a one-campus university.

The structure of the curriculum is laid out explicitly using a numbering system that is applied to each course. This system is designed to facilitate the creation of sequential study plans because by taking courses systematically, students can develop a deeper understanding of the content of each academic field. By selecting courses from a course numbering table based on their own interests and future aspirations, students can deepen their learning without straining themselves, and they can expect synergistic effects to arise from their learning.

From the second year, we offer a variety of courses in law, political science, and policy studies, using a program system that enables systematic learning. Through these courses, students deepen their specialized knowledge and understanding while improving their thinking and decision making capability. In the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies in Law and Policy, we have established a Local Public Program for students who wish to have a strong understanding of national and local communality and would like to support society at various levels through law and policy. The program also allows students to benefit from inter-departmental learning, in conjunction with the programs offered in the Department of Law. By learning about law, politics, and policy—the three fields studied in the Faculty of Law—students acquire knowledge of a variety of issues as well as valuation methods for problem solving, while developing the ability to address these challenges proactively. In addition, we have established a policy for supporting advanced learning among our highly motivated students.

2. Educational Methods
Education is administered through lectures or seminars, depending on the content of each course.

To improve students’ ability to use their specialized knowledge to identify and solve problems, gather information, and communicate, and strengthen their willingness to learn proactively, from year one to four, we offer AL courses in small group classes, which include activities such as report writing and research presentations.

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.

Admission Policy

Department of Law

To ensure that all students in the four-year curriculum can acquire the abilities stipulated in the Diploma Policy, the Department of Law in the Faculty of Law seeks students who have the potential to contribute to the public good while respecting people’s rights. Respecting rights and realizing public interest requires an understanding of society and the ability to act subjectively. The various admissions systems adopted by the Department of Law are designed to ensure, from various angles, that applicants possess the basic qualities needed to develop these abilities. Students are selected using a variety of methods, as stipulated in the Admission Policy of Kyoto Sangyo University.

Applicants should have the basic academic ability needed to tackle the subjects of each entrance examination system, as well as a willingness to learn by exchanging opinions and collaborating with various individuals while maintaining independence. This will enable students to adapt to learning under the curriculum provided by the department.

In addition, we would like students to pursue one of the following even if this is not included as a subject in the entrance examination: Japanese language, a foreign language, history or mathematics, intercultural understanding, or newspaper reading. This will help students develop logical thinking, flexibility, communication skills, international awareness, interdisciplinary awareness, and an interest in social issues and serve as a foundation for the abilities that the Department of Law seeks to foster.

Whether or not the student has a clear goal for the future strongly influences his or her enthusiasm for learning and learning outcomes. The Department of Law expects to welcome students who have the following kind of goals:

Students who wish to develop legal judgment and a strong, specialized understanding of the workings of law in society and to support society legally as company employees, office staff, business people, or legal professionals.
Students who want to acquire legal knowledge and practical skills for ensuring safety at a local level and to work in professions that contribute to realizing a safe and secure society, such as police officers, fire fighters, family court probation officers, prison officers, and correctional instructors.
Students who wish to acquire flexible thinking skills for identifying and resolving disputes involving different countries, social positions, and cultures and to develop the ability to respond to the diversity of society and the world through corporate activities or public service.

Department of Interdisciplinary Studies in Law and Policy

To ensure that all students in the four-year curriculum can acquire the abilities stipulated in the Diploma Policy, the Faculty of Law’s Department of Interdisciplinary Studies in Law and Policy seeks students who have the potential to contribute to the public good while respecting people’s rights. Respecting rights and realizing public interest requires an understanding of society and the ability to act subjectively. The various admissions systems adopted by the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies in Law and Policy are designed to ensure, from various angles, that applicants possess the basic qualities needed to develop this ability. Students are selected using a variety of methods, as stipulated in the Admission Policy of Kyoto Sangyo University.

In addition, we would like students to pursue one of the following learning activities, even if this is not included as a subject in the entrance examination: Japanese language, a foreign language, history or mathematics, intercultural understanding, or newspaper reading. This will help students develop logical thinking, flexibility, communication skills, international awareness, interdisciplinary awareness, and an interest in social issues and serve as a foundation for the abilities that the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies in Law and Policy seeks to foster.

Whether or not the student has a clear goal for the future strongly influences his or her enthusiasm for learning and learning outcomes. The Department of Interdisciplinary Studies in Law and Policy expects to welcome students who wish to acquire the qualities needed to work in professions that contribute to the public good through the formulation and implementation of public policy, including jobs such as civil servants affiliated with the administration, law makers, NPO staff/members, and constituent members.