Keio University

FACTS(Fieldwork for Active Comprehension of Targeted Subjects)

FACTS (Fieldwork for Active Comprehension of Targeted Subjects) is a program that aims to develop the ability to logically comprehend the economy through direct contact with and assessment of the actual conditions of industries, companies, regions, and society using interviews, field and site surveys, and other methods. “Fieldwork” in FACTS broadly includes interviews, collection of primary sources (historical documents), field observation, and other acts of direct contact with or visits to the subject concerned (in person or remotely). In the real world of business, although it is important to have a grounding in existing general theories of economics and management, it is not necessarily the only way to solve problems. Methods of problem solving vary between periods and regions, requiring solutions to be derived by developing logic from limited information and specific, individual facts. Globalization does not mean that all regions are moving in a single direction, and there are only a limited number of areas where generalized theories can be applied. As such, it is necessary to construct specific logics that take into account regional and historical specificities. In order to meet these demands, FACTS provides students with the ability to directly interact with the subjects of their work to ascertain their actual conditions and to understand them logically in light of their specific characteristics.

Curriculum and completion requirements

The FACTS curriculum consists of the following three course categories.

1. Courses offered at Hiyoshi

Core courses (1) (10 credits or more)

Introduction to the Japanese Economy, Historical Perspectives in Economic Analysis, Elementary Economic History I and II, Introduction to Economic History I and II, Introductory Fieldwork for Economic Analysis, Contemporart Social Issues I and II, Economics and Environment

Core courses (2) (4 credits or more)

Hiyoshi-ology (offered by the Keio Research Center for the Liberal Arts); Area Studies (various regions); Area Sudies on Culture (various regions); Area Studies on Culture I, II, III and IV (various regions); Comparative Culture I and II; Geography I and II; Cultural Anthropology I and II; Cultural Anthropology (PEARL); Psychology I, II, III and IV; Gender Studies I and II; Toplics in Contemporary Business I and II; Sociology I and II

2. Courses offered at Mita

A minimum of 12 credits from courses other than the Research Seminar is required for students submitting a graduation thesis, while a minimum of 14 credits from courses other than the respective course is required for students submitting an Independent Study (Seminar) 1 paper or an Independent Research Project paper.

Basic courses (4 credits or more)

D. Economic history

Economic History of Japan a and b, Economic History of Europe and America a and b, Economic History of Asia a and b

E. Labor and industrial economics

Industrial Economics a and b, Labor Economics a and b, Social Policy a and b, Industrial Organization a and b

F. Economic policy and public finance

Economic Policy a and b, Japan's Economic Systems a and b, Public Finance a and b, Money, Banking and Finance a and b, Economics of Regulatory Reform

G. The modern economict system

Contemporary Japanese Economy a and b, Comparative Economic Systems a and b, Development of Japanese Capitalism a and b, Modern Capitalism a and b

H. The international economics

International Trade a and b, International Finance a and b, Development Economics a and b

I. Environmental and urban economics

Economic Geography a and b, Environmental Economics a and b, Urban Economics a and b, Economy and Environmental Law

J. Economy and Society

Demography a and b, Theory of Industrial Society a and b, Social History a and b

Special courses and related subjects

Modern Japan and East Asia a and b, Economic History of East-Central Europe a and b, History of the Modern Japanese Economy a, Economic History (English), Topics in Economic History of Japan (English), Topics in Economic History of Asia (English), Economic History of Southeast Asia, Reading in the History of Japan a and b, War and Society, Japanese Social History a and b, Agricultural Economics a and b, Topics in Social Welfare, Economic Development a and b, Economics of Inequality and Economic Cooporation a and b, World Economy a and b, Global Human Resource Management, The Japanese Economy from an International Perspective

3. Thesis Requirement

In addition to earning the required credits specified in Sections 1 and 2 above, students must provide proof that they have completed a thesis or equivalent paper that meets the standards for FACTS certification. Specifically, one of the following three criteria must be met:

1) Research Seminar (Thesis): Graduation Thesis

2) Independent Study (Seminar) 1: Paper

3) Independent Research Project C: Paper

Furthermore, the content of the thesis must comply with the thesis guidelines below. Therefore, at the time of application, you must submit an email showing that your academic advisor has recognized the thesis as falling under FACTS. Please send an email requesting certification to your advisor in advance and obtain a reply email. For details, please contact the FACTS coordinator.

Thesis guidelines

A thesis submitted for FACTS certification must comply the following guidelines.

  1. Empirical analysis based on an interest in individual and specific phenomena relating to industry, business, a region, society, etc.

  2. In writing the paper, the student must focus on and actually conduct fieldwork as an analytical method. This may include interviews, collection of primary sources (historical documents), field observation, and other methods involving direct contact with the subject or visiting the subject (in person or remotely).

Eligible students

Type A students, Type B students, and PEARL students are all eligible to apply (due to the nature of the program, it is primarily intended for Type B students, but Type A students are also welcome to apply).

Application guidelines

  • As a general rule, applications are accepted during a designated period following the announcement of grades each semester, after students have met all requirements for FACTS certification. Once the requirements have been met, students may apply during the designated application period in any subsequent semester before graduation; they are not required to apply immediately after the semester in which they meet the requirements. Please note, however, that each application period is relatively short.

  • How to apply: Use the designated form on K-Support (details will be posted when grades are announced)

  • Documents to be submitted: Academic transcript, coursework, a reply email from the student’s academic advisor indicating that the thesis has been approved

  • Please note: The period for applications is very short, so please check K-Support news regularly for updates.

Contact information for inquiries

FACTS coordinator