Graduate School of Arts

The Japanese expression "On-Ko-Chi-Shin" (examining the past, in search of its wisdom) serves as a guideline for studies in the humanities.

Students in the Graduate School of Arts study humanities in order to acquire a comprehensive understanding of humanity through literature and historical records and documents. They conduct research on human beings as individuals with unique personalities, with social presence in families, regions, communities, and nations, and with presence in terms of linguistic, cultural, and historical heritage. Value is placed on understanding individuals in a qualitative rather than quantitative manner.

Eight of the graduate degree programs within the Graduate School of Arts (Theology, Japanese Literature, English and American Literature, German Literature, French Literature, History, Interdisciplinary Cultural Studies, and Education) boast long and distinguished histories at Rikkyo University. The more recently founded Graduate Degree Program in Comparative Civilizations transcends conventional boundaries between and within the liberal arts and sciences.

Field of Study: Theology

The Graduate Degree Program in Systematic Theology consists of three fields of study:

1. Systematic Theology, which focuses on the study of systematic theology, Christian ethics, Christian education, religious philosophy, and practical theology.
2. Bible Studies, which focuses on the study of the Old and New Testament.
3. History and Arts, which focuses on the study of church history, the history of Christian doctrine, and Christian art.

These are designed to impart students with advanced religious education and to deepen their specialized knowledge for a profession in teaching or ministry.

Field of Study: Japanese Literature

1. Students in the Graduate Degree Program in Japanese Literature conduct advanced research on the Japanese language and Japanese literature ranging from ancient to modern texts.
2. Studies are led by specialists in the field knowledgeable in all aspects of Japanese language and literature.
3. The Program expands the scope of research and constantly seeks methodologies capable of broadening students’ horizons of learning.
4. The Program is taught by a wide range of professionals, from experienced and informed corporate employees to those engaged in education and research.

Field of Study: English and American Literature

1. The Graduate Degree Program in English and American Literature offers a broad range of subjects, focusing on studies in English and American poetry, theater, novels, philology, and the literature of other English-speaking countries.
   
2. Methodologies of English and American Literature 2 is a class that is particularly important for all graduate students and faculty members. The lessons focus on the presentation of research findings from the work of graduate students, with the aim of deepening and broadening research and making it mutually enlightening and inspiring.
   
3. Students can use an extensive collection of books related to English and American literature and the English language.
   
4. The Program’s counselors provide graduate students with individualized guidance regarding their aspirations and plans.
   
5. Through academic and course credit exchanges with English and American literature departments of other graduate schools, this program produces highly-trained experts and well-educated individuals with broad knowledge bases.
   
6. Upon completion of the Program, graduate students move on to the next stage armed with their newly-acquired skills. This often leads them abroad for further studies or to employment in research and education institutions. Other students find employment in a profession that requires high-level English-language skills.
7. Each year, one exceptional work from among the masters theses is awarded the TN Award (50,000 yen).

Field of Study: German Literature

1. The Graduate Degree Program in German Literature, whose faculty includes native speakers of German, offers courses in the literature, language, and culture of the German-speaking world.
2. Faculty members guide students through a combination of research seminars, which provide forums for students to present the results of their research projects, and individual meetings with advisors.
3. To encourage creativity in research, graduate students in the Program are provided the opportunity to publish their essays, in either German or Japanese, in two different publications affiliated with the German Literature Program.
4. The Program offers students a number of opportunities to study at a German university, including participation in Rikkyo University’s international exchange programs or traveling abroad to study independently. Graduate students can also receive substantial support from the program through applying for scholarships offered by the German government.
5. Following completion of the program, some graduates make use of their specialized knowledge at Japanese companies.

Field of Study: French Literature

1. In the Graduate Degree Program in French Literature, students conduct broad research on French literature and thought from the Middle Ages and Renaissance to the twentieth century.
2. With regard to modern literature and thought in particular, graduate students in the Program grapple with the challenges of today’s world by exploring France in depth with a sharpened sense of the issues based on extensive reference resources.

Field of Study: History

1. The Graduate Degree Program in History has a diverse faculty with expertise in Japanese history, Asian history, and Western history.
2. The program fosters the study of a complete body of world history from ancient to modern times.
3. Graduate students in the program are trained to read historical documents as well as conduct field research. The program places emphasis on basic research geared to the students’ needs.

Field of Study: Interdisciplinary Cultural Studies

1. Graduate students in this discipline study the culture and lives of human beings from the perspective of human geography and anthropology.
2. Importance is placed on field research, with students each determining the region for their special field of study.
3. Students in this special field of study develop a broad range of interests and come into contact with a diverse group of people.
4. Graduate students independently determine the specific region and contents of their studies while receiving guidance from faculty members. An in-depth understanding of a particular region as well as a holistic outlook endows students with an indispensable set of real-world skills.
5. Many graduate students in the doctoral program become international researchers whose endeavors begin with selecting a research site overseas and acquiring a foreign language.

Field of Study: Education

1. Graduate students in the Graduate Degree Program in Education chose a specialization from among a broad range of academic fields, including philosophy of education, history of education, sociology of education, psychology of education, methods of education, community education, and art education.
2. Students in the Program pursue practical research in education and educational methodologies that respond to changes in the discipline.
3. The Program cultivates highly-trained experts and researchers, and retrains teachers and individuals already engaged in the classroom.
4. Interaction is actively encouraged between students and outside experts, including professionals with practical experience.

Field of Study: Comparative Civilizations

1. The Graduate Degree Program in Comparative Civilizations resolves issues in the study of civilizations, including issues of modern civilized society such as the disappearance of borders, basic human needs, the coexistence of a wide variety of languages and cultures, and the diversification of media and forms of expression.
2. The program consists of four areas of study: Modern Civilization, Civilization Engineering, Language and Multiculturalism, and Symbolism in Civilization.
3. The Program fosters highly-trained experts and retrains individuals already in the working world. It aims to strengthen their conceptual capabilities through comprehensive study of the humanities.
4. An active relationship is facilitated between Rikkyo University and the greater society through various activities, such as guest lectures by experts in professional fields.