July 18, 2018
On June 30, the first session of the Faculty of Letters Public Lecture Series "The Faculty of Letters as a Bridge," an endowed lecture by Kyokuto Securities Co., Ltd., titled "Conveying History," was held at the North Building Hall on Mita Campus. Following an address by Professor Yoshimitsu Matsuura, Dean of the Faculty of Letters, lectures were given by Professor Hiromichi Ando of the Major in Archaeology and Ethnology and Associate Professor Aya Yamanashi of the Major in Education.
Professor Ando stated that rather than researchers unilaterally conveying the results of historical studies, it is important for each individual to form a network of dialogue as a constructive agent of history. He also mentioned the role of researchers in achieving this.
Associate Professor Yamanashi spoke about the history of elementary school education, a topic she finds fascinating and continues to question "why." She raised the issue that there is a need for systems and educational activities that allow individuals to recognize that they themselves are within history and are involved with it.
After the lectures, there was a lively exchange of opinions with the audience, with discussion points including ways of perceiving "history," the role of researchers, and the education provided by the Keio University Faculty of Letters. The opinion was also expressed that the Faculty of Letters should produce graduates who can bridge the gap between academia and society. The first session of the public lecture series concluded on this high note.