Faculty of Letters

Developing Practical Skills through the Study of Language and Expression

Developing students’ reading, analytical, and expressional abilities

The Faculty of Letters aims to develop practical skills acquired by students through the study of various writings. They will learn how to approach writings as research subjects and how to feel the emotions that emanate from the world of language and expression. In addition to literature, students will also study about human behavior as well as social and cultural phenomena. This is the most basic type of practical study, where students look at literature and phenomena, analyze, express findings through their own words, and transmit that information to the world.

Human Development Goal of the Faculty of Letters

The Faculty aims, through advanced education and resarch in the field of literature, to develop people who are well grounded with an ability to live together with others in harmony in an ever diversifying society while expressing thier own selves.

Human Development Goal of the Department of English Language and Literature

The Department aims to develop people who can contribute to the international community with the following knowledge and skills: multilateral perspective-based knowledge of languages, literature, and cultures in the English-speaking world, including Britain and the United States; the ability to inherit these intellectual legacies; solid language skills acquired through studying abroad; and practical skills to collect, arrange, and analyze information.

Human Development Goal of the Department of Japanese Language and Literature

Through learning Japanese language, literature, and culture, the Department aims to develop people competent to contribute to society, who have the ability to work on surveys, resarch and creative work with rich sensitivity and intelligence regarding words and expressions as well as a broad perspective based on historical and social understanding.

Human Development Goal of the Department of Communication Studies

Through learning multicultural understanding, symbiotic communications, and expressions and medea using scientific approaches, the Department aims to develop people cempetent to contribute to the creation of a multicultural symbiotic society, who have the ability to comprehend and take action based on scientific reasoning.

Faculty of Letters Organization Chart

Features of Learning at the Faculty of Letters

The Seminars on Research and Report, R&R, is offered by all three departments during the first semester of the 1st academic year
The Faculty of Letters instituted the Seminars on Research and Report, R&R, for all students in the first semester. In this course, students use a common text to learn deeply about how to study, find books, make summaries, and make presentations to cultivate their research and communication skills. In the second semester of the 1st year, students participate in seminars with 15 students per class where they acquire academic research know-how, such as learning how to write theses, how to hold discussions, and how to give presentations.

Theory courses offered by all three departments focusing on literature and culture
Now is a time where academic research methods are changing drastically. In response to this situation, new courses offered by all three departments have been established which focus on postmodern ideology, literary theory, and cultural theory. Students will study the latest theories concerning Cultural Studies, Cultural Representation, Text Criticism, Popular Culture, Gender and Feminist Criticism, and Studies in Children’s Literature.

A Complete International Exchange Program which Provides Foreign Study Opportunities
The Faculty of Letters provides students with independent study opportunities abroad. In addition to overseas-based field studies and Japanese teaching practice, students selected by the Department of English Language and Literature will be assigned to study at a University in New Zealand for one semester. The Department of Japanese Language and Literature is planning the International Conference of Japanese Literature, an event to which leading Japanese literary researchers from around the world will be invited. The Department of Communication Studies provides fieldwork opportunities, including volunteer and overseas training activities in Asia as a way to meet and network with people of the region.

The Curriculum

Department of English Language and Literature
Department of Japanese Language and Literature
Department of Communication Studies