Faculties
Global Culture Course
This course focuses on the Western World’s (European & American) cultures, history, societies, politics, philosophy, religions, languages, film and literature, and examines how they have been affected by globalization. We adopt an unique approach in research, rather than the Western-centric point of view which is idealized in modern civil society. We examine these academic topics from a new point of view, because the Western World has constantly experiences transformation through interaction and conflict with non-Western World. It is important to realize that these regional boundaries are frequently changing, which affect ethnical, cultural and linguistic landscape. In particular, we take an interdisciplinary approach by exploring modern and contemporary issues which relate to multiculturalism and diversity. The nation state/national state is still dominant actor, however, transnational and cross cultural approaches are vital for understanding minority languages and cultures, gender, and cross-cultural conflicts. The reginal actor such as the EU, NATO, other international organizations and environmental NGOs could be subject for our academic research.
Japanese Culture Course
This course looks at a sustainable future by reflecting on the origins and issues of modern Japanese culture while taking into account the universality and uniqueness of Japanese culture. Specifically, it will look at what is incorporated in the foundation of Japanese culture and society, and revisit modern Japanese society, in which diverse cultures coexist, from a variety of perspectives through (a) elucidating the history of Buddhism’s acceptance in ancient and medieval Japan, and the establishment and reality of the legal system of Ritsuryō, (b) reflecting on the history of thought and cultural exchange between Japan and other countries, the historical formation of traditional Japanese culture and discourse, and the uniqueness and diversity of Japanese literature with a focus on classical literature, (c) reflecting on the system and mutation of the Japanese language by looking at linguistic activity, and (d) analyzing the folklore, rituals, and performing arts of Okinawa.
In each of these fields, we will examine themes in line with the individual student’s awareness of the problem through interpretation of data obtained from literature and field research, and through discussion with faculty members and students.
In each of these fields, we will examine themes in line with the individual student’s awareness of the problem through interpretation of data obtained from literature and field research, and through discussion with faculty members and students.
Local Culture and Cooperation Course
This course aims to provide a platform where people gather and discuss. We welcome those people who are interested in a wide range of cultural resources that support the community––including local history, local life, culture, industry, human relations from a citizen’s viewpoint, and NGO activities. The course covers Japan, overseas countries, cities, and farming villages. The students will learn a range of research methods and conduct practical research from a local community’s viewpoint on international issues, peace issues, tourism, local life, and the maintenance/utilization of cultural resources and industrial heritage. In addition to offering practical learning opportunities, including oral history projects and field research in which students will visit various field sites, we will invite experienced guest lecturers to hold seminars for deepen discussion.
Urban Policy Course
In this course, students will conduct theoretical and empirical research into urban policies based on the trends of modern society where globalization and localization intersect, while collaborating with the Graduate School of Economics and Center for Urban Policy Research and Education. To understand the urban problems in achieving a sustainable city and to conduct research associated with policies aimed at those problem solving, students will explore the issues in depth using the social science and management science.
Interdisciplinary research guidance will be provided in a way that allows individual students to define their themes, and to master research methods in each academic field. Active and retired public servants, those who wish to become public service worker, and those interested in the development of Chubu metropolitan area will be instructed as students in acquiring social science research methods.
Interdisciplinary research guidance will be provided in a way that allows individual students to define their themes, and to master research methods in each academic field. Active and retired public servants, those who wish to become public service worker, and those interested in the development of Chubu metropolitan area will be instructed as students in acquiring social science research methods.
Gender, Welfare, and Sociology Course
The course aims at exploring issues in urban society from the perspective of sociology and social welfare. The program is characterized by cultivation of professional research abilities and promotion of developing the ability to analyze multifaceted sides of social phenomena by making use of the interdisciplinary nature of the course.
Graduate students will be able to familiarize themselves with various substantive areas in sociology (for instance, sociology of families, sociology of media, and sociology of work), and will be able to pursue their individual research interests effectively and systematically. In addition, the course places a particular emphasis on gender/sexuality studies. The students will become proficient in specialties including the theory of gender/sexuality studies, women’s history, gender and work, gender and media, and gender and families.
Graduate students majoring in this course will also be able to receive supervision from in-service social workers, while proceeding with specialized research on social welfare.
Graduate students will be able to familiarize themselves with various substantive areas in sociology (for instance, sociology of families, sociology of media, and sociology of work), and will be able to pursue their individual research interests effectively and systematically. In addition, the course places a particular emphasis on gender/sexuality studies. The students will become proficient in specialties including the theory of gender/sexuality studies, women’s history, gender and work, gender and media, and gender and families.
Graduate students majoring in this course will also be able to receive supervision from in-service social workers, while proceeding with specialized research on social welfare.
Development of the “Mind” Course
The psychological functions of human beings, which develop over the time between infancy and old age, are diverse and incorporate the senses/perception, cognition, emotion, personality, self, and sociality. These functions each relate to innate factors (genetics, temperament, etc.) and environmental factors (culture, society, interpersonal relationships, etc.) in various ways. The course aims to elucidate such mechanisms and functions of the “mind” as well as their developmental changes according to scientific and objective methods. Students will conduct research on determining appropriate behavioral indicators and the development of valid and reliable methods as required for this purpose. Through these studies, the students will also cultivate a perspective that leads to better implementation and application in society.
Society and Education Course
Regardless of how personal its practice is, education is deeply connected with and inevitably defined by all aspects of the society in which one exists, including its culture, systems, and politics. Moreover, it is not uncommon for long-standing issues such as parenting anxiety, child abuse, collective bullying, or difficulty in finding employment to take on new contemporary forms and manifestations in response to social changes, including falling birthrates, an aging population, globalization, advancement toward an information society, and long-term economic depression. Given the aim of forming a sustainable society, research will be conducted that takes into account perspectives ranging from childhood to adulthood by addressing various complex problems that commonly arise in educational settings, including new educational requirements such as multicultural education.
Clinical Psychology Course
Methods of clinical psychology practice, such as psychological assessment, psychological interviews, and regional aid, are established according to various findings obtained from studies conducted by numerous pioneers in the field. The primary goal of this course is to conduct research based on scientific/objective methods with the aim of establishing a more effective approach to clinical practice in psychology and its theories. In addition to acquiring basic knowledge of clinical practice in psychology through systematized lectures, the course aims to train practitioners, including competent school counselors equipped with a scientific perspective, through experiential learning in clinical settings provided in collaboration with the Nagoya Child Advocacy Committee (Nagoya City Board of Education) and the Nagoya City University Hospital. Upon completion of the course, the students will go on to acquire qualifications as certified psychologists and clinical psychologists.