Three Policies of the Major in English and American Literature, Ph.D. in Literature [Ph.D. (Literature)]

The Major in English and American Literature, based on Keio University's policy on graduation certification and degree conferral (Diploma Policy), aims to cultivate individuals who possess comprehensive and profound specialized knowledge and research methodologies in English linguistics, English literature, and American literature, and who are equipped with the ability to create new knowledge and disseminate research findings to the world based on this foundation. In addition, the degree of Ph.D. in Literature [Ph.D. (Literature)] will be conferred upon students who have fulfilled the prescribed requirements set forth in the curriculum.

Goal for Qualities and Abilities (1): To be able to write a doctoral dissertation on a topic in English linguistics, English literature, American literature, or a related field after passing the qualifying examination for doctoral dissertation writing established by the Major in English and American Literature, and through that dissertation, make original contributions to research in the said domain and significantly contribute to the advancement of the field.

Goal for Qualities and Abilities (2): To be able to be well-versed in the latest research trends and issues in one's field of study, possess comprehensive and profound specialized knowledge, and make unique contributions to research in the field by disseminating findings internationally in both English and Japanese.

Goal for Qualities and Abilities (3): To be able to make unique contributions to the international community as researchers, educators, and practitioners with advanced cross-cultural literacy by deeply understanding the cultural, historical, and geographical characteristics of different cultures through English, and by acquiring advanced research and presentation skills that contribute to discussions and practices for identifying and solving problems through interaction with others.

Goal for Qualities and Abilities (4): To be able to analyze various issues in contemporary humanity, culture, and society and contribute to their resolution, utilizing the insight into and critical thinking about language, history, and culture cultivated through the study of English and Anglo-American literature.

To cultivate the qualities and abilities set forth in the "Policy on Graduation Certification and Degree Conferral (Diploma Policy)," the Major in English and American Literature (Doctoral) of the Graduate School of Letters systematically organizes a curriculum. This curriculum consists of a group of lecture and seminar courses in the fields of English linguistics and Anglo-American literature, covering English linguistics, the history of the English language, medieval English literature, modern Anglo-American literature, and contemporary Anglo-American literature, as well as related subjects such as the history of literary criticism, classical literature, linguistics, and comparative literature.

Under this curriculum structure, specialized research courses are offered in Japanese and foreign languages (English) to cultivate advanced research skills, problem-finding abilities, primary source analysis skills, and argument construction skills. These are necessary for making unique contributions to academic societies through specialized research and for becoming well-versed in the latest research trends and issues in one's area of expertise. The program also encourages long-term study abroad at overseas graduate schools to obtain a master's degree, as well as short-term study abroad to earn credits or obtain a specialized diploma, utilizing study abroad programs offered by the Graduate School of Letters and the Keio University International Center, in addition to various other internal and external study abroad systems.

The assessment of learning outcomes for the qualities and abilities to be acquired through the curriculum of the Major in English and American Literature (Doctoral) is conducted based on the concept of the university-wide (all-Juku) assessment plan. It uses direct indicators based on grade evaluation criteria defined for each course, as well as quantitative and qualitative, direct and indirect indicators, including various questionnaires and surveys. Specifically, these include (1) course evaluations by students 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 established by the Major in English and American Literature, and their doctoral dissertation must be submitted to and accepted by the Graduate School of Letters Committee. Subsequently, within one year, the dissertation is reviewed by a primary examiner and secondary examiners approved by the Graduate School of Letters Committee. Based on the review report submitted to the committee, the student must pass by a vote of the members of the Graduate School of Letters Committee.

Goal for Qualities and Abilities (1): To be able to write a doctoral dissertation on a topic in English linguistics, English literature, American literature, or a related field after passing the qualifying examination for doctoral dissertation writing established by the Major in English and American Literature, and through that dissertation, make original contributions to research in the said domain and significantly contribute to the advancement of the field.

→ To enable the writing of a doctoral dissertation that makes an original contribution to research in English linguistics, English literature, American literature, or a related field, students will primarily take specialized research courses taught by their academic advisor. The academic advisor will also provide central individual dissertation supervision to cultivate advanced research skills, problem-finding abilities, and advanced academic writing skills in English. Before submitting the doctoral dissertation, students must pass the qualifying examination for doctoral dissertation writing in accordance with the major's "Guidelines for Doctoral Degree Application and Dissertation Review" and must also meet the requirements for publication and conference presentation stipulated in the same guidelines.

Goal for Qualities and Abilities (2): To be able to be well-versed in the latest research trends and issues in one's field of study, possess comprehensive and profound specialized knowledge, and make unique contributions to research in the field by disseminating findings internationally in both English and Japanese.

→ Through specialized research courses, students will become well-versed in the latest research trends and issues in their area of expertise and develop the advanced research skills, problem-finding abilities, primary source analysis skills, and argument construction skills necessary to make unique contributions to academic societies through specialized research. They will also acquire the ability to present their research findings at academic conferences and in professional journals. Furthermore, by requesting renowned overseas researchers to provide joint supervision of the doctoral dissertation as a co-advisor or to participate in the dissertation review as a secondary examiner, the program promotes the highly specialized research of students in the Doctoral Programs and aims for the completion of a doctoral dissertation of international standards.

Goal for Qualities and Abilities (3): To be able to make unique contributions to the international community as researchers, educators, and practitioners with advanced cross-cultural literacy by deeply understanding the cultural, historical, and geographical characteristics of different cultures through English, and by acquiring advanced research and presentation skills that contribute to discussions and practices for identifying and solving problems through interaction with others.

→ Through long-term study abroad at overseas graduate schools to obtain a doctoral degree, and short-term study abroad to earn credits or obtain a specialized diploma—utilizing study abroad programs offered by the Graduate School of Letters and the Keio University International Center, as well as various other internal and external study abroad systems—students will develop their individual specialized research in an international and original manner and acquire advanced cross-cultural literacy.

Learning Outcome (4): To be able to analyze and contribute to solving various issues in contemporary humanity, culture, and society, by applying the insight and critical thinking skills regarding language, history, and culture developed through research in English and Anglo-American literature.

→ By taking a group of interdisciplinary special lectures and seminars, as well as courses offered by other graduate schools, affiliated Research Centers and Institutes, and other graduate schools in partnership with the Graduate School of Letters, students will deepen their understanding of the humanities in general and acquire the ability to analyze and contribute to solving various issues in contemporary humanity, culture, and society.

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

(2) Is able, based on their specialized research in a master's program, to independently devise an original and concrete research plan that will lead to a doctoral dissertation and to present it in both Japanese and English.

(3) Possesses the analytical reading skills to accurately and critically read primary and secondary sources in English, as well as the academic writing skills to rigorously develop an original academic argument in English.

(4) Possesses sufficient proficiency in a second foreign language to read research materials.

(5) Thinks actively and concretely about their future career as a working professional, researcher, or educator after completing the Doctoral Programs.

To admit a wide range of such applicants, an entrance examination will be conducted in accordance with the course's admissions policy, using the following selection methods.

General Entrance Examination

Eligibility is open to those who have completed or are expected to complete a master's or professional degree program, or who possess qualifications for admission to the Ph.D. program. Selection is determined by a written examination (first screening) and an oral examination (second screening). The specifics are as follows:

(1) The written examination (language of choice) assesses the applicant's proficiency in a second foreign language for reading research materials.

(2) The written examination (specialized subjects) assesses whether the applicant possesses specialized knowledge across the fields of English linguistics, English literature, and American literature.

(3) The written examination (designated language) assesses whether the applicant possesses the advanced reading comprehension skills to accurately and critically read primary and secondary sources in English, as well as the advanced academic writing skills to discuss academic content in English.

(4) The oral examination assesses whether the applicant has the advanced ability to independently and concretely formulate a research plan for their doctoral dissertation and to communicate its details and findings in both Japanese and English.