Three Policies of the Doctor of Aesthetics Program in Aesthetics and Art History

Based on the Graduation Certification and Degree Conferral Policy (Diploma Policy) of Keio University, the program defines the following as the competencies students should acquire upon completion of the program. The program aims to cultivate talented individuals who, as researchers in the arts equipped with advanced specialized knowledge and skills, are capable of making original and international contributions to their respective research fields. In addition, the degree of Doctor of Aesthetics is conferred upon students who fulfill the prescribed requirements of the curriculum.

Goal for Qualities and Competencies (1): The ability to pass the qualifying examination for writing a doctoral dissertation as stipulated by the Major in Aesthetics and Art History; to write a doctoral dissertation, in principle in Japanese, on academic research related to beauty and the arts, such as aesthetics, art studies, art history, and musicology; and, through that dissertation, to make an original contribution to research in the field and contribute significantly to its development.

Goal for Qualities and Competencies (2): The ability to be well-versed in the latest research trends and issues in one's field of research, possess comprehensive and deep specialized knowledge, and make a unique contribution to research in that field by disseminating findings internationally in Japanese or a foreign language.

Goal for Qualities and Competencies (3): The ability to deeply understand the cultural, historical, and geographical characteristics of one's research subject; to acquire advanced research and presentation skills to solve identified issues; and, by actively engaging in academic exchange, to make a unique contribution to the international community as a member of society equipped with cross-cultural literacy.

Goal for Qualities and Competencies (4): The ability to be aware of the significance of studying the humanities in society and to achieve self-set goals and solve social problems using appropriate methods.

The Doctor of Aesthetics program in the Field of Aesthetics and Art History, Major in Aesthetics and Art History, of the Graduate School of Letters systematically designs a curriculum composed of specialized research courses and specialized research seminars in order to cultivate the qualities and competencies set forth in the Graduation Certification and Degree Conferral Policy (Diploma Policy).

Based on this curriculum design, instruction is implemented through a combination of the following educational methods.

(1) To enable students to write a doctoral dissertation that makes an original contribution to academic research on beauty and the arts, students will primarily take specialized research courses taught by their academic advisor. The academic advisor will also provide individual dissertation supervision to cultivate advanced research skills, the ability to identify research problems, and the insight and ability to solve those problems.

(2) Specialized research courses are offered to cultivate the advanced skills in research, problem identification, primary source analysis, and logical structuring necessary for students to be well-versed in the latest research trends and issues in their area of specialization and to make a unique contribution through specialized research. Small-group seminars that can be taken throughout the entire period of enrollment in the Doctoral Programs are also offered, and their completion is a graduation requirement. Specific guidance is provided to enable students to present their research findings at academic conferences and in specialized journals.

(3) To support students in developing their individual specialized research in an international and original manner and in acquiring a high level of cross-cultural literacy, studying abroad at graduate schools or other institutions overseas is encouraged, utilizing various programs available both inside and outside the university. Studying abroad in regions relevant to their research subjects is strongly recommended. Furthermore, the Graduate School of Letters provides financial assistance for studying abroad through its own support systems.

(4) To allow for more flexible course registration, including for students studying abroad, all courses are offered on a semester basis.

(5) To enable more specialized research in a student's field, a limited number of credits earned through regular study abroad programs at overseas graduate schools may be approved for inclusion in the graduation requirements.

(6) To promote highly specialized research by graduate students in the Doctoral Programs, a distinguished researcher from overseas can be asked to serve as a co-advisor. This allows students to prepare their doctoral dissertation under joint supervision with their academic advisor, who is a faculty member of the Graduate School of Letters.

The evaluation of learning outcomes for the qualities and abilities to be acquired through this major's curriculum is conducted based on direct indicators, such as the grading criteria established for each course, under the university-wide assessment plan. It is also assessed using quantitative, qualitative, direct, and indirect indicators, including various questionnaires and surveys. Specifically, these include (1) student course evaluations and (2) the status of leaves of absence and withdrawals.

To obtain a doctoral degree, students must pass the qualifying examination for doctoral dissertation writing as stipulated by their major and field, and their doctoral dissertation must be submitted to and accepted by the Committee of the Graduate School of Letters. Subsequently, within one year, the dissertation is reviewed by a main examiner and sub-examiners approved by the Committee of the Graduate School of Letters. Based on the examination report submitted to the Committee of the Graduate School of Letters, the student must pass by a vote of the committee members.

Goal for Qualities and Abilities (1): The ability to pass the qualifying examination for doctoral dissertation writing established by the Major in Aesthetics and Art History, write a doctoral dissertation—in principle, in Japanese—on academic research related to beauty and art, such as aesthetics, art studies, art history, and musicology, and through that dissertation, make an original contribution to research in the field and significantly contribute to its development.

→ In Advanced Research courses, Advanced Research Seminars, and individual dissertation supervision, students will deepen their academic knowledge of their research area and cultivate the advanced research and argumentation skills necessary for writing a doctoral dissertation.

Goal for Qualities and Abilities (2): The ability to be well-versed in the latest research trends and topics in one's field of study, possess comprehensive and deep specialized knowledge, and make a unique contribution to research in the field by disseminating findings internationally in Japanese or a foreign language.

→ In Advanced Research courses and Advanced Research Seminars, students will acquire specialized knowledge and research methods at an advanced level and cultivate the language skills needed to disseminate their research findings.

Goal for Qualities and Abilities (3): The ability to deeply understand the cultural, historical, and geographical characteristics of one's research subject, acquire advanced research and presentation skills to solve identified problems, actively engage in academic exchange, and make a unique contribution to the global community as a member of society equipped with cross-cultural literacy.

→ By taking a combination of Advanced Research courses and Advanced Research Seminars, students will develop the ability to set their own research and study objectives and achieve them at an advanced level. To support the acquisition of advanced cross-cultural literacy, studying abroad at graduate schools or other institutions overseas through various on- and off-campus programs is encouraged.

Goal for Qualities and Abilities (4): The ability to recognize the significance of studying the humanities in society and to achieve self-set goals and solve social issues using appropriate methods.

→ Opportunities to deepen understanding of the broader field of humanities are provided by allowing students to take a combination of Advanced Research courses and Advanced Research Seminars, as well as courses offered by other graduate schools and affiliated Research Centers and Institutes, and courses at other graduate schools affiliated with the Graduate School of Letters.

(1) Possesses advanced specialized knowledge of their own research area and related fields.

(2) Can formulate an original and concrete research plan, based on specialized research in their master's program, that will lead to a doctoral dissertation, and can articulate it, in principle, in Japanese.

(3) Possesses the analytical reading skills to accurately and critically read various literature related to the research subject, as well as primary and secondary sources, and has the academic writing skills to rigorously develop original academic arguments.

(4) Possesses the foreign language proficiency essential for reading research materials from multiple perspectives.

(5) Has actively and concretely considered their future career as a researcher, educator, or practitioner after completing the Doctoral Programs.

To admit a wide range of such applicants, selection is conducted through a general admissions examination.

(1) General Admissions Examination

This is a selection process based on examinations in three subjects—a specialized subject, a designated language subject, and an elective language subject—as well as an oral examination. It requires a high level of academic ability appropriate for the field of Aesthetics and Art History within the Major in Aesthetics and Art History of the Graduate School of Letters.