Educational Objectives

In accordance with the Educational Objectives of Osaka University and the Graduate School of Humanities, the Degree Program in Applied Japanese Studies aims to develop individuals with the following abilities.

• ‐ Individuals who can understand Japan from a global viewpoint through comparison and exchange, connect Japan and the world through Japanese language and culture, and actively share the latest insights in Japanese studies in relation to global issues faced by humanity
• ‐ Individuals who have the advanced comprehensive perception, design prowess, and communication skills needed to share their research findings in Japan and the world and to socially implement them

Through its Master's degree program and Doctoral-degree program, the Degree Program in Applied Japanese Studies, which consists of the three majors of Comparative Japanese Studies, Applied Japanese Linguistics, and Japanese Language Education, aims to develop individuals who have the abilities described above and who can become successful professionals in various areas of society.

[Master's Degree Program]

・ Cutting-edge, advanced specialized knowledge and outstanding academic expertise

The Degree Program in Applied Japanese Studies aims to help students contribute to new developments in the humanities through Japanese studies by understanding Japan from a global viewpoint through comparison and exchange, gaining expertise in Japanese language and culture through comparison and exchange, and connecting Japan and the world in a practical manner leveraging cutting-edge, highly specialized knowledge in Japanese language and culture.

・ Advanced broad-based knowledge and deep critical thinking

Enable students to build on extensive knowledge of Japanese language and culture obtained through comparison and exchange to acquire the advanced information literacy skills required in today's society, and acquire the ability to think in a multifaceted and comprehensive manner and conduct evaluations from various viewpoints through training.

・ Sophisticated international mindset

Enable students to build on extensive, logical Japanese skills and extensive knowledge of Japanese language and culture obtained through comparison and exchange to develop high-level proficiency in multiple languages that allows meaningful communication, and a sharp sensitivity towards and deep understanding of different peoples and cultures.

・ Advanced design prowess

Enable students to develop the design prowess needed to contribute to new developments in Japanese studies by flexibly combining the features of each of the three majors, and share their findings in Japan and the world and to socially implement them.

[Doctoral-Degree Program]

・ Cutting-edge, advanced specialized knowledge and outstanding academic expertise

The Degree Program in Applied Japanese Studies aims to help students lead new developments in the humanities through Japanese studies by accurately assessing Japan from a global viewpoint through comparison and exchange, gaining expertise in Japanese language and culture through comparison and exchange, and connecting Japan and the world in a practical manner leveraging cutting-edge, highly specialized knowledge in Japanese language and culture.

・ Advanced broad-based knowledge and deep critical thinking

Enable students to build on a deep understanding of Japanese language, culture, society, history, and literature to acquire the advanced information literacy skills required in today's society, and the advanced ability needed to think from a multifaceted and comprehensive manner, conduct evaluations from various viewpoints, and create new value.

・ Sophisticated international mindset

Enable students to build on extensive, logical Japanese skills and a deep understanding of Japanese language and culture to develop high-level proficiency in multiple languages that allows meaningful communication, a sharp sensitivity towards and deep understanding of different peoples and cultures, and the ability to make global, intellectual contributions by sharing their research findings internationally.

・ Advanced design prowess

Enable students to develop the design prowess needed to contribute to the development of new horizons in Japanese studies by flexibly combining the features of each of the three majors, share their findings in Japan and the world and to socially implement them, and to contribute to innovation through Japanese studies.

Completion Approval/Degree Awarding Policy (Diploma Policy)

In accordance with the diploma policy of Osaka University and the Graduate School of Humanities, the Degree Program in Applied Japanese Studies awards a Master's degree (Arts in Japanese Studies or Philosophy) in the Master's degree program or a Doctoral degree (Philosophy in Japanese Studies or Philosophy) in the Doctoral-degree program to students who have undergone training in the skills needed to produce new academic results and socially implement them in a practical manner from an interdisciplinary, international perspective, leveraging a deep understanding of Japanese language and culture; acquired the traditional and latest knowledge in the humanities, advanced specialized knowledge and outstanding academic expertise in Japanese language and culture, and the abilities and skills related to broad-based knowledge, an international mindset, and design prowess described below; earned the required credits; and passed the thesis review and final examination.

[Master's Degree Program]

・ Cutting-edge, advanced specialized knowledge and outstanding academic expertise

• ‐ Acquire solid writing skills and rich expressive ability needed to write consistently organized papers with clear logical reasoning and advanced expertise in Japanese studies, and conduct cutting-edge research.
• ‐ Acquire the outstanding academic expertise needed to conduct research from a broad perspective and assess one's research findings from an interdisciplinary viewpoint.

・ Advanced broad-based knowledge and deep critical thinking

• ‐ Acquire broad-based knowledge in academic disciplines in general, the comprehensive broad-based knowledge in the humanities required of an independent researcher and highly skilled professional, and interdisciplinary, contemporary broad-based knowledge in the languages, cultures, societies, and history of Japan and the world.

・ Sophisticated international mindset

• ‐ Acquire the ability to conduct research from a global perspective and assess one's own specialized research findings relative to global trends in the humanities, as well as the language proficiency and communication skills needed to share those findings globally.

・ Advanced design prowess

• ‐ Acquire the ability to identify fundamentally important issues in the various fields of Japanese studies, and the ability to conceive ways to solve such issues through the appropriate collection and analysis of data and material.
• ‐ Acquire the comprehensive perception, design prowess, and communication skills needed to accurately communicate with Japanese and foreign stakeholders and conceive ways to socially implement one's research findings.

[Doctoral-Degree Program]

・ Cutting-edge, advanced specialized knowledge and outstanding academic expertise

• ‐ Acquire logical writing skills and the advanced specialized knowledge and research skills required of an independent researcher and highly skilled professional, and conduct cutting-edge, original research.
• ‐ Acquire the outstanding academic expertise needed to conduct original research from a broad perspective and actively assess one's cutting-edge, highly specialized research findings from an interdisciplinary viewpoint.

・ Advanced broad-based knowledge and deep critical thinking

• ‐ Acquire advanced broad-based knowledge in academic disciplines in general, the advanced, comprehensive broad-based knowledge in the humanities required of an independent researcher and highly skilled professional, and interdisciplinary, contemporary advanced broad-based knowledge in the languages, cultures, societies, and history of Japan and the world.

・ Sophisticated international mindset

• ‐ Acquire the ability to conduct research from a global perspective and assess one's own original, highly specialized research findings relative to global trends in the humanities, as well as the high-level language proficiency and communication skills needed to share those findings globally.

・ Advanced design prowess

• ‐ Acquire the ability to identify fundamentally important issues in the various fields of Japanese studies building on a wide range of previous research, and the ability to conceive ways to solve those issues in an original, cutting-edge manner through the appropriate collection and analysis of data and material.
• ‐ Acquire the comprehensive perception, design prowess, and communication skills needed to accurately communicate with Japanese and foreign stakeholders and conceive ways to socially implement one's advanced research findings in an effective manner.

Teaching and Learning Policy (Curriculum Policy)

In accordance with the curriculum policy of Osaka University and the Graduate School of Humanities, the Degree Program in Applied Japanese Studies designs its curriculum as shown below to help students acquire the skills and knowledge described in the degree program's diploma policy.

[Master's Degree Program]

< Principles of Curriculum Design >
The Degree Program in Applied Japanese Studies designs its Master's degree program curriculum focusing on three areas of education--Academic Major education, Liberal Arts education, and Global Literacy education--with the aim of helping students develop cutting-edge, advanced specialized knowledge and outstanding academic expertise in Japanese studies, advanced broad-based knowledge and deep critical thinking, a sophisticated international mindset, and advanced design prowess.

・Academic Major education: The Academic Major education subjects of the Degree Program in Applied Japanese Studies consist of Common Subjects for the Graduate School of Humanities that are common subjects for the Graduate School of Humanities, Interdisciplinary Courses that are common subjects for the Division of Japanese Studies, and Major Courses that are offered by individuals majors.

• ‐ Common Subjects for the Graduate School of Humanities: These subjects are designed to enable students to acquire advanced broad-based knowledge in other fields that are close to their own, including fundamental knowledge and research methodologies common to all fields in the humanities as well as foreign languages. In particular, students are required to take Foundations of Humanities (Humanities and Dialogue), a required subject for the Graduate School of Humanities, in which they acquire cutting-edge knowledge in contemporary cultural and social issues and develop the thinking skills needed for problem solving.
• ‐ Interdisciplinary Courses: By offering English lecture courses that cover the latest topics in Japanese studies in English and English academic skills courses that aim to develop the skills needed to share research findings in English as elective subjects, the curriculum allows each and every student in the Division of Japanese Studies to develop a comprehensive perception, design prowess, communication skills, and other skills depending on their individual needs.
• ‐ Major Courses: These courses are offered by individual majors. However, with the exception of some highly specialized courses, they are open to students from other majors too. Major Courses are designed to impart the specialized knowledge and research skills needed in the relevant major, and also aim to share the academic foundation of the Division of Japanese Studies based on expertise.
• ‐ As part of Academic Major education, the degree program requires students to submit a research plan each year to encourage them to actively formulate and conduct research in a planned fashion, and guides them toward completing a highly specialized master's thesis. Furthermore, by actively providing support to students participating in student exchange, privately funded study abroad, and overseas training programs as well as internships in Japan and other countries, the degree program aims to help students develop a comprehensive perception, design prowess, communication skills, and other skills.

・Liberal Arts education: Advanced Liberal Arts education subjects, including Foundations of Humanities (Contemporary Liberal Arts) that is a required subject for the Graduate School of Humanities, are designed to help students acquire advanced broad-based knowledge and deep critical thinking in disciplines other than their own field of specialty as well as interdisciplinary fields.

・ Global Literacy education: Advanced Global Literacy education subjects are designed to help students develop high-level proficiency in foreign languages and a sensitivity towards and knowledge of different cultures and peoples.

A feature of the curriculum of the Degree Program in Applied Japanese Studies is that in order to recruit talented students with diverse backgrounds from around the world, a Fall Enrollment Track (admission in October only) is available in addition to a Spring Enrollment Track (admission in April only). Whereas the Spring Enrollment Track is for students taking the entrance examination at Osaka University, the Fall Enrollment Track is for international students and enables the entrance examination to be taken outside Japan. Given the differences in the academic backgrounds of Fall Enrollment Track international students and Spring Enrollment Track students, supervisors offer research guidance subjects in which they provide detailed guidance in research and class registration. In this way, the curriculum is designed so as to allow students from diverse backgrounds to study and develop together.

< Contents and Methods of Education >

Through its Major Courses, the Degree Program in Applied Japanese Studies helps students acquire the ability to understand Japan from a global viewpoint through comparison and exchange, and connect Japan and the world in a practical manner leveraging cutting-edge, highly specialized knowledge in Japanese language and culture. Major Courses include, in addition to the specialized courses of individuals majors, introductory courses that serve as interdisciplinary basic courses common to all majors. Therefore, the curriculum allows students to learn about fields related to their own field of specialty.

Class formats for the Major Courses in the Degree Program in Applied Japanese Studies include lectures, seminars, and others and vary depending on the content of individual courses. Each format incorporates students learning through problem-solving by themselves. Regardless of their format, the classes are designed so as to encourage students to collect, analyze, and examine material and engage in free discussion with other students and the academic staff. In this way, the classes help students develop the design prowess needed to present their research findings to others in a convincing and clear manner.

Furthermore, in order to help students acquire the practical skills needed to successfully share Japanese language and culture internationally and perform the planning, drafting, negotiation, and management tasks involved in overseas research meetings and workshops, the curriculum provides students with the opportunity to engage in the organization and management of academic exchange events with foreign graduate students who major in Japanese language and culture at overseas joint campuses.

Regarding the master's thesis, students receive detailed guidance from their principal supervisor and associate supervisors to write a thesis with high academic value.

By taking Interdisciplinary Courses that meet individual interests and needs along with the subjects and courses above, students can develop a comprehensive perception, design prowess, communication skills, and other skills.

< Academic Performance Evaluation Method >

Students' grades in each subject are determined by assessing the level of achievement of the learning goals specified in the syllabus using the evaluation methods specified in the syllabus.

Each master's thesis is comprehensively reviewed by two or more examiners, taking into consideration the appropriateness of the subject of the thesis and the framework and method of research, clarity of discussion, appropriateness of the selection and interpretation of material, and originality of the argument, among other aspects.

[Doctoral-Degree Program]

< Principles of Curriculum Design >

The Degree Program in Applied Japanese Studies designs its Doctoral-degree program curriculum with the aim of helping students develop cutting-edge, advanced specialized knowledge and outstanding academic expertise in Japanese studies, advanced broad-based knowledge and deep critical thinking, a sophisticated international mindset, and advanced design prowess, and write a doctoral thesis of high academic value.

Subjects of the Doctoral-degree program consist of Interdisciplinary Courses that are common subjects for the Division of Japanese Studies and Major Courses that are offered by individuals majors.

• ‐ Interdisciplinary Courses: By offering English lecture courses that cover the latest topics in Japanese studies in English and English academic skills courses that aim to develop the skills needed to share research findings in English as elective subjects, the curriculum allows each and every student to develop a comprehensive perception, design prowess, communication skills, and other skills depending on their individual needs.
• ‐ Major Courses: These courses are offered by individual majors and are designed to impart the advanced specialized knowledge and research skills needed in the relevant major.
• ‐ As part of Academic Major education, the degree program requires students to submit a research plan each year to encourage them to actively formulate and conduct research in a planned fashion. Supervisors check the progress of research and offer advice on a regular basis and, in the final year, guide students toward completing a doctoral thesis with the originality required of an independent expert. Furthermore, by actively providing support to students participating in student exchange, privately funded study abroad, and overseas training programs as well as internships in Japan and other countries, the degree program aims to help students develop a comprehensive perception, design prowess, communication skills, and other skills.

< Contents and Methods of Education >

Regarding the doctoral thesis, students receive detailed guidance from their principal supervisor and associate supervisors to write a thesis with high academic value.

Classes are given incorporating students learning through problem-solving by themselves.

< Academic Performance Evaluation Method >

Students' grades in each subject are determined by assessing the level of achievement of the learning goals specified in the syllabus using the evaluation methods specified in the syllabus.

Each doctoral thesis is comprehensively reviewed by two or more examiners who are experts in the relevant field, taking into consideration the appropriateness of the subject of the thesis, appropriateness in the selection of the framework and method of research, clarity of discussion, appropriateness in the selection and interpretation of the material, originality of the argument, degree of academic contribution to existing studies, ambition to develop new research fields, and prospects of social implementation, among other aspects.

Objectives

(1) Promoting new educational research into Japanese language and culture in the modern globalized world
(2) Fostering bright individuals who can liaise between Japan and the world through Japanese language and culture
Advanced globalization has changed the position of Japanese language and culture in the world, especially in Asia, and the demand for educational research in this field has become greater than ever. In such an environment, we are eager to promote new educational research in a comparative approach between the languages, cultures and societies of Japan and the world. We aim to facilitate this by seeking excellent individuals from all over the world, and developing their awareness and understanding through non-traditional learning methods. In this way, we will play an important part in maintaining the future of the field of Japanese language and culture, and actively strive to meet the needs of top-rate internationally-minded individuals, both in Japan and overseas, as part of Osaka University.

Fostering of Individuals

We will foster
• Researchers who conduct interdisciplinary research into Japanese language and culture from the viewpoint of a comparison between Japanese language and culture and those of other countries
• Teachers specialized in Japanese language and culture education with a high level of expertise and knowledge required to teach Japanese at the tertiary level to international students
• Highly specialized professionals with an international mindset, who exhibit a wide range of executive abilities, such as planning, negotiation and operation, and with the desire to introduce Japanese language and culture to the world

Well-Planned and Solid Curriculum

Three categories (Applied Japanese Linguistics, Japanese Language Education, and Comparative Japanese Studies) were set up as shared subject categories between the two tracks: "Practical Japanese Language and Culture Track" and "Special Japanese Language and Culture Track." Through this curriculum, we will aim at cultivating educators and researchers with advanced language skills and interdisciplinary and international minds. The degrees awarded on completion of the curriculum requirements are the MA in Japanese Language and Culture and the PhD in Japanese Language and Culture.