The Graduate School of International Cultural Relations
The Graduate School of International Cultural Relations
This innovative Master of Arts program was designed to provide students with expertise and practical abilities in the fields of Arts Management and International Cooperation, along with a research-oriented track in Comparative Culture and International Relations. The curriculum reflects our belief that students need practical experience in their field as well as academic preparation. Students select classes to create the balance that best suits their goals.
➣Ten students are accepted by examination per year. ( September, February).
➣Two years of coursework (30 credits) and the completion of either a Master's Thesis or a Master's Research Project are required for the degree.
Diploma Policy (Policy for Awarding Diplomas)
A “Master’s Degree in International Cultural Relations” shall be granted to those who have enrolled for a period specified by the University’s School Regulations, obtained 30 or more credits, and acquired the following skills through a master’s thesis or research report on specific issues.
- The student has gained expertise in their own research field, has acquired the ability to think flexibly and conduct research logically and empirically, and can contribute to international cultural exchange and its development.
- The student can deliver research outcomes domestically and internationally, and has acquired the ability to play an important role in the society as a highly skilled practitioner or to be a creative researcher.
Curriculum Policy (Policy for Implementing Organization of Educational Curriculum)
The Graduate School of International Cultural Relations provides the following four programs to cultivate practical abilities, research capabilities, and problem-solving skills necessary for a specialist of international cultural exchange.
- “Arts Management” Track
- “International Cooperation” Track
- “Comparative Culture” Track
- “International Relations Research” Track
The “Arts Management” track is a set of courses leading to the acquisition of the specialized knowledge and skills needed to plan, produce and manage activities relating to the creation and diffusion of art and culture, while the “International Cooperation” track organizes a curriculum to foster specialized knowledge and abilities necessary for international cooperation including consideration to the local cultural and value systems and natural environment, and an understanding of international relations. The “Comparative Culture” track is designed to provide courses with the aim of acquiring deep understandings of Japanese traditional culture and contemporary culture from the perspective of comparative culture based on the historical background and current situations. The “International Relations Research” track designs a curriculum aiming to pursue mutual understanding with other countries and cultures at a more specialist level.
Each track is organized with a “seminar course,” “practical seminar course,” “specialized research course,” and “training course” to foster specialized skills according to the objectives of the respective tracks. In these tracks, research guidance is provided by a number of teachers specialized in different fields in order to cultivate abilities to think flexibly and expansively, considering the interdisciplinary and integrated nature of international exchange. Students are also provided with opportunities to gain practical experience through a wide range of training and internships as well as approaches from diversified standpoints in an interdisciplinary manner.
All students are required to submit a master’s thesis or research paper on specific issues to demonstrate their advanced specialized skills obtained through the above. Students will write a master’s thesis on their findings of research pursued under the research supervisor. For research paper on specific issues, students will compile their research results obtained through internships, special overseas training, or international cultural exchange training, in accordance with the subjects they choose.