Faculty of Humanities Department of Religious Studies Contributing to a harmonious society through profound religious knowledge

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Department Overview

This Department is suitable for the following people:

Learning Key Points

01. Emphasis on “practicality” and “modernity”

02. Clarify your future vision with our three enrollment models

03. Four precious years of learning in “Jiba”

Enrollment models and qualification models to make the most of your learning for the future

“Missionary Course” qualification model

“Bachelor of Religious Culture” qualification model

“Teaching” qualification model (Religious Studies)

Four-year learning process

• First-year

  続きを読む

  Acquire basic knowledge and “attitude” to learn

  ① Basic knowledge of Tenrikyo and religion
  ② Basic reading and writing skills
  ③ Develop an attitude of “thinking for oneself”
  
  

  Representative Classes

  ・Introductory Seminar in Religious Studies
  Students will develop the ability to “think for themselves” through reading long texts, which are different from those on social networking sites, and writing reports that clearly distinguish between their own opinions and those of others, with a focus on literature related to Tenrikyo and religion.

• Second-year

  続きを読む

  Deepen your understanding and uncover your own interests

  ① Deepen basic knowledge of major topics in Tenrikyo and religious studies.
  ② Develop the ability to read more deeply.
  ③ Foster the ability to develop one’s own idea.

  Representative Classes

  

  ・Seminars to read and comprehend Tenrikyo Scriptures and contemporary religion
  In the former, students study the original texts of Tenrikyo in a lecture format, and in the latter, they study the relationship between religion and politics, economics, science, and life and culture, as well as contemporary society from a religious perspective in a seminar format.

• Third-year

  続きを読む

  Deepen your study of specialized topics

  Students learn specialized vocabulary (concepts), theories, and historical context in each “Special Lecture” and acquire perspectives and methods of text interpretation through close reading of classical literature in each “Seminar.”

  Representative Classes

  ・Research Seminar on Religious Studies 1, 2
  Classes are divided into two areas, Tenrikyo Studies and Religious Studies, with close reading and presentation of classic texts from each area. Students will learn how to understand the literature and materials and verbalize their own views.

• Fourth-year

  続きを読む

  Work on a graduation thesis as the culmination of your studies

  Work on a graduation thesis as the culmination of your studies
  【Examples of graduation thesis themes】

  • 慰霊と追悼ー沖縄戦の記憶からー
    - Memorials and Remembrance – from the Memory of the Battle of Okinawa-
  • 「血盆経」の受容と日本の女性観
    - The Reception of the “Blood-Bowl Sutra” and the Japanese View of Women
  • サブカルチャーと宗教ーなぜ聖地巡礼なのかー
    - Subcultures and Religion: Why Pilgrimage to Holy Places?
  • 辻忠作の説いた「かしもの・かりもの」の教理
  • - The teaching of “A thing lent, a thing borrowed” as preached by Chusaku Tsuji
  • 地域の拠点としての天理教会の新たな取り組みー子ども食堂を通してー
    - Tenrikyo Churches Engaging in New Efforts as a Community Base  through the Children’s Cafeteria-

Faculty list

• Department of Religious Studies faculty list

Curriculum

Curriculum tree（PDF）

• 2024-2025 Academic year

Curriculum map（PDF）

• 2024-2025 Academic year

Education Policy

• Admission Policy

  In order to fulfill the educational goals of the Department of Religious Studies, we seek for studentswith the following qualities:
  1. (Skills) Those who desire to acquire information gathering skills necessary for religious studies research.
  2. (Knowledge) Those who desire to acquire basic knowledge regarding Tenrikyo and various religions around the world.
  3. (Thought) Those who have an interest in the basic teachings of Tenrikyo as well as those of various religions around the world.
  4. (Motivation) Those who are motivated to actively engage in religious studies research.
  5. (Attitude) Those who can understand other people’s religions and beliefs, respect diversity, and are able to live alongside those who have different values.
  6. (Action) Those who can work in the local community and in regions both within and outside Japan with the spirit of “dedication to others.”
  7. (Motivation) Those who have had experience in actively engaging in social activities and extra curricular activities, and have an interest in religion.
  Entrance examination methods will take various forms, such as comprehensive selection, special
  selection, school recommended selection, general selection, and transfer selection.

• Curricular Policy

  We offer subjects that cover fundamental theories of religion and the historical development and thoughts of the world’s major religious traditions, as well as subjects on the scriptures, teachings, and history of Tenrikyo. Based on the acquisition of such basic and historical knowledge, we offer subjects focusing on the present-day significance and role of Tenrikyo and other religious traditions in the modern world. This multifaceted and practical curriculum is designed to cultivate individual faith, enrich each student’s character, while enhancing their knowledge of religion, including Tenrikyo, and developing their critical thinking skills.
  The classes are organized so that students will gradually deepen their understanding.
  For instance, during the first year, students study introductory seminars and basic subjects; during the second year, developmental seminars and advanced subjects, and during the third year, students will enroll in research seminars and advanced subjects. Furthermore, during the third and fourth year, the curriculum is organized so that students can take seminars that cover the overall studies, which will prepare them to write their graduation thesis.

• Diploma Policy

  A bachelor's degree (Religious Studies) will be awarded to students who have acquired the following knowledge and abilities:
  1. (Skills) Those who have acquired the Japanese language and foreign languages necessary for researching religions, as well as the ability to gather information.
  2. (Knowledge) Those who have acquired basic knowledge about Tenrikyo as well as various religions in the world, and as a result of that, have gained broad views.
  3. (Thought) Those who have an interest in the basic teachings of the major world religions and Tenrikyo, as well as have the ability to create assignments through information collection and analysis.
  4. (Motivation) Those who can make good use of the knowledge gained, and have a good command of the methodology of research, and can actively engage in religious studies research.
  5. (Attitude) Those who can understand other people’s religions and beliefs, respect diversity, and are able to live alongside those who have different values.
  6. (Action) Those who can work in the local community and in regions both within and outside Japan with the spirit of “dedication to others.”

Related pages

Faculty of Humanities

• Department of Religious Studies
• Department of Japanese Language and Literature
• Department of History and Culture
• Department of Psychology
• Department of Social Education
• Department of Social Welfare