FACULTY OF INTERNATIONAL CULTURE STUDIES

Shared courses in the Faculty of International Culture Studies. Changes made to the Faculty curriculum from 2003 are as follows.

The Faculty will be reorganized into the Department of Asian Studies, and the Department of European and American Studies. As shown by this arrangement, the Faculty puts primary emphasis on approaching issues of culture, language, society, religion, politics and economics, and ethnicity by dividing the globe into geographically broad frameworks that cut across national boundaries. This emphasis stems directly from demands made by contemporary society to reevaluate one's own position and existence in the midst of ongoing and contrary processes, the globalization of the economy and of information on the one hand, and increasing cultural diversity at the regional level on the other. By facing these complex processes head-on, and maintaining a proper awareness of them, the Faculty's goal is to develop human capital capable of active international roles. For this reason practical courses promoting international participation and cooperation have been included among the shared courses in the Faculty's curriculum, alongside courses promoting recognition and the academic study of various problems posed by the international community.

The first year opens with courses on mutual cultural exchange and communication, exploring the possibilities offered thereby, and examines Japan's position and role within the international community.

The second year curriculum develops these themes by deepening the pursuit of various aspects of human culture, and while promoting knowledge of and concern regarding multi-faceted international relations on the one hand, it furthers academic understanding of particular languages - the basis of mutual communication - on the other. Research methodology used in the study of regional cultures throughout the world is also studied.

While learning the multi-dimensional aspects of culture through comparative cultural studies beginning with the third year, by connecting their new knowledge and academic interests through various seminars taught as shared courses, and in the writing of their graduation theses, students undertake research leading to the discovery of new problems and their solutions.

High levels of basic knowledge and working abilities in foreign languages are needed for this program of studies, and a curriculum placing weight on these skills has been especially devised. In addition to 28 credits in the separate language courses of each Department, a shared English Education Program has been established. No matter which Department or language course they have selected, students may take as many credits in as many English courses as they feel necessary or of interest, starting from their first year. Courses have been readied which polish basic abilities in ways that will enable contributing to international society, such as classes aimed at preparing students for various types of English examinations, courses leading to dramatic advances in communication skills, plus English classes related to the media and journalism, taught under the direction of a richly experienced faculty.

Departmental Curriculum. The Department is comprised of the five language courses of Japanese (for foreign students only), Korean, Chinese, Thai, and Indonesian. Students (except those in the Japanese Language Course) choose their language of specialization after taking "Introduction to Asian Studies" in the first semester, and begin intensive study in their selected languages from the second semester, as in the Department of European and American Studies. In addition, students in Asian Studies approach Asia from a variety of perspectives through Department courses, prepared to induce recognition of the multi-layered, mutually interpenetrating, and compound nature of the region's cultures. From this perspective, students study Japan's position within Asia through courses such as the "History of Maritime Exchange," which covers the entire maritime region of Asia, and courses looking at each region's religious situation, while pursuing the study of the literature and history of Asia, and of regional politics and economy, as in classes on the ASEAN organization, etc. By further taking elective courses on modern conditions in Asia, students can get in touch with Asian popular culture and tourism. In addition there are many courses prepared for the specific regions within Asia. By participating in seminars on the linguistic and social aspects of the regions associated with their languages of specialization, students acquire independent academic perspectives and research skills. Further, by electing seminars in internationally related topics, practical experience can be gained which may lead students to future careers, and by taking classes related to international information exchange, skills in information technology are acquired and put to practical use.

In the "Overseas Cultural Field Experience" course, which stands together with "Introduction to Asian Studies" as a required class, students make a study-tour in the region of their language specialization, thereby deepening their awareness with regard to language studies, and also providing motivation for research in the culture of that language. The results of the studies outlined above lead naturally to the student's preparation for the graduation thesis.

Through their program of learning in the Department of Asian Studies, students will come to participate of their own will in the expanding exchanges with the various regions of Asia, which will surely show dramatic economic development and gain increasing international influence in the future.

Language curriculum. In addition to a student's major course (comprising 28 required credits of language study), a minor course may be selected from within the student's Department. The minor program may include courses related to the region of the language as well as language classes, and comprise a total of at least 20 credits. Language classes in each major course comprise a rich program aimed at fostering a working ability in the language. Language classes I-VII are required for each course (students in the Japanese Language Course elect a total of 28 credits for their language requirement). It is here that Tenri's tradition in language studies shows its true value.

Departmental Curriculum. The Department is comprised of six courses: the British-American, German, French, Russian, Spanish, and Brazilian-Portuguese language courses. Students choose their language of specialization after taking the required four-credit course "Introduction to European and American Studies" in the first semester, and begin intensive study in their selected languages from the second semester, as in the Department of Asian Studies. The Department covers an extremely wide geographic area, which is divided into constituent regions through a variety of criteria and methods. For example there is Europe taken as including Eastern Europe and Russia, the British-American region taking the United States and Great Britain as its principal targets, the North American region, Latin America, and "the Americas" taken from a new perspective as a single unit comprised of North and South America. The attempt to raise fresh topics, as in this diversified concept of region, may be called the true charm of the Department's curriculum. Students pursue the dynamics of international society's rapid changes through courses on the religions of an area focused on Christianity, on its relations with Japan, on various regional cultures, on political and economic topics beginning the European Union, on regional languages, literatures, and histories. Interest in such topics is intensified through special seminars in regional culture.

Based on the results of these studies, students advance to seminars on language and culture, society and culture, international relations, and the international exchange of information, in the same manner as in the Department of Asian Studies. The "Overseas Cultural Field Experience" can take place in the United States or various European countries, or in locations as far as Brazil. In the midst of expectations that relations with these regions will grow increasingly close in the future, the acquisition of a foreign language and familiarity with the region where it is used will work to a student's advantage in career placement. Improving one's working knowledge of English in addition to the acquisition of one of the other regional languages in particular will place powerful tools in the student's grasp.

Language curriculum. In addition to a student's major course (comprising 28 required credits of language study), a minor course may be selected from within the student's Department (English may not be taken as a minor, although courses in the English Education Program can be taken instead). The minor program may include courses related to the region of the language as well as language classes, and comprise a total of at least 20 credits. Language classes in each major course comprise a rich program aimed at fostering a working ability in the language. Language classes I-VII are required for each course (students in the Japanese Language Course elect a total of 28 credits for their language requirement). The strength of Tenri's Faculty of International Culture Studies surely lies in its well-developed program of language education.