Three Policies of the Ph.D. in History [Ph.D. (History)], Field of Ethno-archaeology, Major in History

Based on the Policy on Graduation Certification and Degree Conferral (Diploma Policy) of Keio University, the educational goal is to cultivate highly skilled professionals who can play an active role globally in highly specialized occupations. This is achieved by equipping students with the ability to plan and conduct fieldwork, the primary methodology in the field of ethno-archaeology; to acquire skills in observing and analyzing materials; to explore issues they have identified themselves diachronically from a broad perspective; and to derive persuasive interpretations. In addition, the program defines the following abilities that students should acquire upon completion of the program, and confers the degree of Master of Arts in History [M.A. (History)] to students who have fulfilled the prescribed requirements set forth in the curriculum.

Competency Goal (1): The ability to pass the qualifying examination for writing a doctoral dissertation as stipulated in the field of ethno-archaeology, and then to write a doctoral dissertation on ethno-archaeological research or research in a related field and pass an examination conducted in accordance with prescribed procedures.

Competency Goal (2): The ability to build a unique dataset to advance one's research by independently planning, negotiating, and implementing not only historical source research but also ethno-archaeological surveys in the field and material research at institutions such as museums and art galleries.

Competency Goal (3): The ability to make original contributions to one's academic field of research and contribute significantly to its development by being well-versed in the latest research trends and issues, possessing comprehensive and deep specialized knowledge, and disseminating research findings internationally in both Japanese and English.

Competency Goal (4): The ability to identify and solve issues facing humanity as a whole or individual cultures by deeply understanding the historical and geographical characteristics of human culture through ethno-archaeological research.

Competency Goal (5): The ability to become a working professional, researcher, or practitioner with a good balance of critical thinking and self-reflection, and to make unique contributions to the development of and problem-solving in the real world, based on the research and presentation skills cultivated through specialized research.

Competency Goal (6): The ability to be aware of the significance of studying the humanities in a global society and to utilize the abilities acquired through research practice to achieve self-set goals and solve social problems using appropriate methods.

In the Field of Ethno-archaeology (Ph.D. in History), Major in History, Graduate School of Letters, to cultivate the qualities and abilities set forth in the "Policy on Degree Conferral (Diploma Policy)," the program systematically designs a curriculum. This curriculum is composed of a group of lecture and seminar courses in the domain of ethno-archaeological research, covering Japanese archaeology, West Asian archaeology, Oceanian archaeology and ethnology, zooarchaeology, and museum studies.

Under this curriculum design, to enable students to write a doctoral dissertation that makes an original contribution to research in ethno-archaeology or related fields, students primarily take courses taught by their academic advisor, who also provides individual dissertation supervision. Specialized research courses are offered to help students become well-versed in the latest research trends and issues in their area of specialization. Opportunities to receive guidance from multiple faculty members are also provided through seminars for the entire major, which focus on interim reports on doctoral dissertations. Furthermore, to enhance their field survey skills relevant to ethno-archaeological research, students are encouraged to participate in domestic and international surveys organized by faculty members.

The assessment of learning outcomes for the competency goals to be acquired through the curriculum of the Field of Ethno-archaeology, Major in History, is conducted based on the assessment plan for the entire Juku. This involves direct indicators based on grading criteria defined for each course, as well as quantitative and qualitative, direct and indirect indicators, including various surveys and questionnaires. Specifically, these include (1) course evaluations by students and (2) data on leaves of absence and withdrawals. Individual research presentations are evaluated based on the student's understanding of prior research, the extent of original data collection, and the validity of the analytical methods and logical structure. In joint seminars, evaluation also considers active participation and the relevance of comments on other presentations. The completed doctoral dissertation is scrutinized by an examination committee, which includes external expert researchers. It is then evaluated through an oral defense conducted by the committee.

Competency Goal (1): The ability to pass the qualifying examination for writing a doctoral dissertation as stipulated in the field of ethno-archaeology, and then to write a doctoral dissertation on ethno-archaeological research or research in a related field and pass an examination conducted in accordance with prescribed procedures.

This ability is cultivated through repeated research presentations in joint seminars, which builds the capacity to complete the doctoral dissertation.

Competency Goal (2): The ability to construct original datasets to advance research by independently planning, negotiating, and conducting ethnological and archaeological fieldwork and material research at facilities such as museums and art galleries, in addition to searching for historical sources.

→ This ability to construct original datasets will be cultivated through individual guidance from an academic advisor.

Competency Goal (3): The ability to make original contributions to one's academic field and contribute significantly to its development by being well-versed in the latest research trends and issues, possessing comprehensive and deep specialized knowledge, and disseminating research findings internationally in both Japanese and English.

→ This ability to contribute to the development of a specialized field will be cultivated through lecture and seminar courses.

Competency Goal (4): The ability to identify and solve issues concerning humanity as a whole or individual cultures by deeply understanding the historical and geographical characteristics of human culture through research in ethnology and archaeology.

→ This ability to identify and solve issues concerning humanity as a whole or individual cultures will be cultivated through lecture and seminar courses, joint seminars, and individual guidance from an academic advisor.

Competency Goal (5): Based on the research and presentation skills cultivated through specialized research, the ability to become a working professional, researcher, or practitioner with a good balance of critical spirit and self-reflection, and to make unique contributions to the development of society and the resolution of its issues.

→ This ability to make unique contributions to the development of society and the resolution of its issues will be cultivated through lecture and seminar courses, joint seminars, and individual guidance from an academic advisor.

The Ethnology and Archaeology field of the Major in History seeks students with the following qualities:

(1) Have highly specialized knowledge in their own research area and related fields.

(2) Have the ability to independently formulate an academic research plan and logically present an original and concrete plan that will lead to a doctoral dissertation.

(3) Have the advanced ability to accurately record, analyze, and critically examine primary sources in ethnology and archaeology, as well as sufficient reading comprehension to accurately and critically read literature in Japanese, English, and the language(s) of the relevant region.

(4) Have academic writing and presentation skills in both Japanese and English sufficient for conducting international research activities.

(5) Have a proactive and concrete vision for their career as a working professional, researcher, or educator after completing the Doctoral Programs.

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

(1) General Entrance Examination

This selection method is based on examinations in specialized subjects and a designated language (English), as well as an oral examination. It requires a high level of academic ability appropriate for the Graduate School of Letters and the Ethnology and Archaeology field.