Features of the Curriculum

? 1. Required Course　

? The Required Course, “Introduction to Social System Studies,” is for studying how to approach the research topic ?from a broad perspective with respect to the current social system in general.? This course is offered during the 1st?semester of the first year as an introduction to the coursework (2 credits).　

??2. Core Courses ?

? “Core Courses” are offered so the student may acquire a basic knowledge and skills necessary for Area Study.? ??These courses are offered during the 1st?semester of the first year. ?The student must receive 6 or more credits from ? the list of Core Course subjects in the student’s major in order to complete the program. ?Each Master’s program in ??Language and Culture student must receive 6 or more credits from the list of Core Course subjects in the student’s ?major in order to complete the program.?

? 3. Specialized Courses?

? “Specialized Courses” are offered so the student may acquire the special knowledge and skills necessary for Area ? ? ? Study.? These courses are offered during the 2nd?semester of the first year.?The student must receive 6 or more ? ? credits from the list of Specialized Course subjects in the student’s major in order to complete the program.?Each ??Master’s program in Language ?and Culture student must receive 6 or more credits from the list of Specialized ??Course subjects in the student’s ?major in order to complete the program.

? 4. Special Research Topics?

? The elective course, “Special Research Topics (Introduction),” is offered during the 1st?semester of the first year as ?preparation to study “Special Research Topics 1, 2 and 3.” “Special Research Topics (Introduction)” is offered so ? ? ?the student may acquire introductory information and study basic thesis-writing methodology including planning, ? ? ? ?determination, development of research topics, and academic article reading skills related to the area of research.

The other “Special Research Topics” including “Special Research Topics 1, 2 and 3” are offered so the student may ? develop his/her individual creativity and capacity for independent research activities. ?These courses emphasize the research topic determination process by encouraging thoughtful thesis design and giving students chances to do interim presentations before final thesis submission. They are offered in order beginning in the 2nd?semester of the first ?year of the master’s program. All 6 credits are required.?

Requirements for completion

1. Standard period for completion?

The standard period for completion of the program is two years. However, students with an outstanding record of achievement may be able to complete after a minimum period of one year’s enrollment in the program: see 2) below.

2. Accelerated completion system

An exception to the standard completion requirements may be made for students, who have an excellent record of achievement such as presentations at academic conferences, have completed a high-standard Master’s thesis, and have earned a minimum of 26 credits required for completion. Such students may be deemed to have completed the Special Research Topics ２?and ３ courses (4 credits) and have their degrees conferred after a minimum of one year’s enrollment in the program.

3. Completion requirements

In order to complete the program, students must fulfill all of the following conditions.
(a) ?Be enrolled in the program for a minimum of two years (or one year as per item 2 above)
(b) ?Earned at least 30 course credits in accordance with the conditions stated below.?
(c) ?Submitted, after receiving the necessary research supervision, a Master’s Thesis or report of research ? ? findings on a designated topic, and successfully passed a screening and final examination.

List of Credit Requirements