Three Policies for the Field of Oriental History, `Major in History`, `Master of Arts in History [M.A. (History)]`

Based on the Policy on Graduation and `degree conferral` (Diploma Policy) of `Keio University`, the program aims to cultivate individuals who possess an intrinsic, objective, and specialized perspective on the history, culture, and current state of regions in Asia and the Middle East; academic proficiency in the specific languages of these regions and other languages necessary for conducting research; and sufficient knowledge of history and its related disciplines, enabling them to demonstrate new academic achievements based on this foundation. In addition, the degree of `Master of Arts in History [M.A. (History)]` will be conferred upon students who have fulfilled the prescribed requirements set forth in the curriculum.

Target Competency (1): The ability to acquire specialized knowledge of the history of regions in Asia and the Middle East, conduct specialized research based on appropriate research methods by utilizing the languages of those regions and other languages necessary for research, and present the findings in one's native language or a foreign language.

Target Competency (2): The ability to write a master's thesis on the history of regions in Asia and the Middle East, possess comprehensive specialized knowledge in areas related to the thesis topic, and contribute to research in that field.

Target Competency (3): The ability to contemplate humanity, culture, and society through specialized research on the history of regions in Asia and the Middle East; recognize important issues and challenges and engage in discussions and practices to resolve them; and contribute to society as researchers, educators, or practitioners equipped with advanced literacy and critical analysis skills.

Target Competency (4): The ability to recognize the significance of studying history, particularly the history of regions in Asia and the Middle East, within society, and to achieve self-set goals and solve social problems using appropriate methods.

To cultivate the competencies listed in the "Policy on Graduation and `degree conferral` (Diploma Policy)," the Field of Oriental History (Master's Program) in the `Major in History` at the `Graduate School of Letters` systematically organizes a curriculum composed of Advanced Lecture and Advanced Seminar courses in Oriental History.

Based on this curriculum design, education is provided through a combination of the following methods.

(1) As the foundation of the curriculum for the Field of Oriental History in the `Major in History`, small-group lecture and seminar courses are offered throughout the entire period of enrollment in the master's program. These courses, conducted in the student's native language or a foreign language, cover various fields of Oriental history, such as Chinese history and the history of the Middle East and the Islamic world.

(2) To enable students to write their master's theses, the `academic advisor` plays a central role in providing individual thesis supervision and seminar classes to deepen students' knowledge of their research topics and develop advanced research and writing skills. Opportunities such as interim master's thesis presentations are also provided to allow students to receive guidance from multiple faculty members.

(3) Students are encouraged to study abroad by utilizing various programs available both within and outside the university, including those offered by the `Graduate School of Letters` and the `Keio University` `International Center`. The `Graduate School of Letters` also provides financial assistance for studying abroad through its own support systems.

(4) A limited number of credits earned through study abroad at overseas graduate schools as regular students may be approved for inclusion in the graduation requirements.

(5) To allow for more flexible course registration, particularly for students planning to study abroad, all courses are offered on a semester basis.

(6) To enable interdisciplinary research, students are permitted, up to a certain number of credits, to take courses offered by other graduate schools at `Keio University`; affiliated research institutes such as the `Institute of Oriental Classics (Shido Bunko)` and `The Keio Institute of Cultural and Linguistic Studies`; and other graduate schools with which the `Graduate School of Letters` has partnerships, to fulfill their graduation requirements.

Assessment of learning outcomes for the target qualities and abilities to be acquired through the East Asian History program's curriculum is conducted based on direct indicators, such as the grading criteria established for each course, in accordance with the Juku-wide assessment plan. It is also evaluated using 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.

The master's thesis examination process involves several steps. First, the thesis topic is approved by the student's academic advisor and the Graduate School of Letters committee. Second, the examination committee—composed of a chief examiner (in principle, the academic advisor) and two secondary examiners—is approved by the Graduate School of Letters committee. Third, the examination committee reviews the thesis. Fourth, an oral defense is conducted by the examination committee and related faculty members. Finally, the final examination results are deliberated and approved by the Graduate School of Letters committee.

Target Quality and Ability (1): The ability to acquire expert knowledge of the history of various regions in Asia and the Middle East, conduct specialized research based on appropriate research methods utilizing the languages of those regions and other languages necessary for research, and present the findings in one's native language or a foreign language.

→ Through Advanced Lecture and Advanced Seminar courses in East Asian History, students will steadily acquire expert knowledge and research methods, and develop the language skills necessary to present their research findings.

Target Quality and Ability (2): The ability to write a master's thesis on the history of various regions in Asia and the Middle East, possess comprehensive expert knowledge in fields related to the thesis topic, and contribute to research in those fields.

→ Through Advanced Lecture and Advanced Seminar courses in East Asian History, as well as individual thesis supervision, students will deepen their academic knowledge of their research field, which is necessary for writing a master's thesis, and develop advanced research and academic writing skills.

Target Quality and Ability (3): The ability to contribute to society as researchers, educators, or practitioners with advanced literacy and critical analysis skills, who can contemplate humanity, culture, and society through specialized research on the history of various regions in Asia and the Middle East, identify significant problems and issues, and engage in discussions and practices to resolve them.

→ By taking Advanced Lecture and Advanced Seminar courses in East Asian History, students will cultivate the ability to independently set and achieve their own research and learning objectives.

Target Quality and Ability (4): The ability to be aware of the significance of studying history, particularly the history of various regions in Asia and the Middle East, within society, and to pursue the achievement of self-set goals and the resolution of social problems using appropriate methods.

→ In addition to courses offered by the Graduate School of Letters, including Advanced Lecture and Advanced Seminar courses in East Asian History, students are also able to take courses offered by other graduate schools, the Institute of Oriental Classics (Shido Bunko), The Keio Institute of Cultural and Linguistic Studies, and other graduate schools affiliated with the Graduate School of Letters. This provides opportunities to deepen their understanding of a wide range of fields in the humanities and related sciences, with a focus on East Asian History.

(1) Candidates should have a deep understanding of their specialized field, gained through experiences such as writing a graduation thesis and taking specialized courses, and possess foundational knowledge of the general field of East Asian History, including areas like Chinese History and Middle Eastern and Islamic World History.

(2) Candidates should be able to independently formulate a concrete plan for their graduate studies, outlining what aspects of East Asian History they wish to research and by what methods, or how they plan to apply the specialized knowledge and skills they acquire to their future career.

(3) Candidates should possess the foundational reading comprehension skills to read primary and secondary sources in languages related to East Asian History accurately and critically, as well as the foundational communication skills to discuss academic content effectively.

(4) Candidates should be actively considering their future career path after completing the master's program, whether as a researcher, educator, or practitioner.

To admit a wide range of applicants who meet these criteria, a selection process is conducted through a general entrance examination.

(1) General Entrance Examination

This selection is based on a two-part written examination (a specialized subject and a selected language subject) and an oral interview, and it requires a high level of academic ability appropriate for the East Asian History program in the Major in History, Graduate School of Letters.