Three Policies of the Major in English and American Literature, Master of Arts in Literature [M.A. (Literature)]

Based on the Graduation Certification and Degree Conferral Policy (Diploma Policy) of Keio University, the Major in English and American Literature aims to cultivate individuals who possess comprehensive and in-depth expertise and research methods in English linguistics, English literature, and American literature, and who have the ability to create new knowledge based on this foundation and disseminate their research findings to the world. In addition, the degree of Master of Arts in Literature [M.A. (Literature)] is conferred upon students who have fulfilled the prescribed requirements set forth in the curriculum.

Goals for Qualities and Abilities (1): To acquire expertise in the overall research areas within the fields of English linguistics, English literature, and American literature; to conduct specialized research using a foreign language (English); and to be able to present the findings in both Japanese and English.

Goals for Qualities and Abilities (2): To write a master's thesis in English on a topic in English linguistics, English literature, American literature, or a related field of research; to possess comprehensive and in-depth expertise in the area related to the master's thesis topic; and to be able to make an original contribution to research in that area.

Goals for Qualities and Abilities (3): To be able to make original contributions to the global community as researchers, educators, or practitioners with advanced cross-cultural literacy, by understanding the cultural, historical, and geographical characteristics of different cultures through English, interacting with others, identifying important issues, and acquiring research and presentation skills that contribute to discussions and practices aimed at their resolution.

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

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

Under this curriculum structure, some courses are offered in English, and opportunities are provided for students to receive guidance from multiple faculty members through events such as the master's thesis interim presentation meeting for the entire major. Additionally, the program encourages long-term study abroad at overseas graduate schools to obtain a master's 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 study abroad systems both on and off campus.

The assessment of learning outcomes for the qualities and abilities to be acquired through the curriculum of the Master's Program of the Major in English and American Literature, Graduate School of Letters, is based on the concept of a Juku-wide assessment plan. This assessment is conducted not only through direct indicators based on the grading criteria established for each course but also through quantitative and qualitative, direct and indirect indicators, including various questionnaires and surveys. Specifically, these indicators include (1) course evaluations by students and (2) data on leaves of absence and withdrawals.

Regarding the master's thesis examination, the process begins with the approval of the thesis title and an examination committee by the Graduate School of Letters Committee. This committee consists of a chief examiner (in principle, the academic advisor) and two sub-examiners. The process then involves a thesis review by the examination committee, followed by an oral defense conducted by the committee and related faculty members. Finally, the Graduate School of Letters Committee deliberates and approves the final examination results.

Goals for Qualities and Abilities (1): To acquire expertise in the overall research areas within the fields of English linguistics, English literature, and American literature; to conduct specialized research using a foreign language (English); and to be able to present the findings in both Japanese and English.

→ By establishing a group of lecture and seminar courses in the fields of English linguistics and English and American literature—covering English linguistics, the history of the English language, medieval English literature, modern English and American literature, and contemporary English and American literature—and by also offering related courses such as the history of literary criticism, classical literature, linguistics, and comparative literature, the program cultivates the expertise, research skills, primary source analysis skills, critical thinking, and argumentation skills necessary to conduct research. In addition, by offering some of these courses in English, the program develops students' presentation skills in English.

Goals for Qualities and Abilities (2): To write a master's thesis in English on a topic in English linguistics, English literature, American literature, or a related field of research; to possess comprehensive and in-depth expertise in the area related to the master's thesis topic; and to be able to make an original contribution to research in that area.

→ To enable students to write their master's theses, the designated academic advisor provides individual thesis supervision, helping students to deepen their knowledge of their research topic and develop advanced research skills and academic writing skills in English. Furthermore, through events such as the master's thesis interim presentation meeting for the entire major, students receive guidance from multiple faculty members and acquire a multifaceted perspective.

Competency Goal (3): To make unique contributions to the international community as researchers, educators, and practitioners with advanced cross-cultural literacy. This is achieved by understanding the cultural, historical, and geographical characteristics of different cultures through English, interacting with others, identifying significant issues, and acquiring the research and presentation skills necessary to contribute to discussions and practices aimed at their resolution.

→ This competency is developed by acquiring advanced cross-cultural literacy in diverse settings through long-term study abroad at overseas graduate schools to pursue a master's degree, or through short-term programs to earn credits or a specialized diploma. These opportunities are facilitated by study abroad programs offered by the Graduate School of Letters and the Keio University International Center, as well as various other study abroad systems available both on and off campus.

Competency Goal (4): To analyze various issues in contemporary humanity, culture, and society and contribute to their resolution, utilizing the insight into language, history, and culture, as well as the critical thinking skills, cultivated through the study of the English language and Anglophone literature.

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

(1) Have an understanding of their field of specialization, gained through experiences such as writing a graduation thesis and taking specialized courses, and possess foundational knowledge of the general fields of English linguistics, English literature, and American literature.

(2) Be able to independently formulate a research plan for graduate school—outlining what they wish to study and how—and articulate this plan in both Japanese and English.

(3) Possess foundational reading comprehension skills to accurately and critically read primary and secondary sources in English, and foundational academic writing skills to discuss scholarly content in English.

(4) Possess basic proficiency in a second foreign language for the purpose of reading research materials.

(5) Be actively considering their future career path after completing the master's program, whether as a working professional, researcher, or educator.

To admit a diverse range of applicants who meet these criteria, we will conduct an entrance examination in accordance with the course's admissions policy, using the selection methods outlined below.

General Admissions

Applicants must have graduated or be expected to graduate from a four-year university, or otherwise be eligible for admission to graduate school. Admission decisions are based on a written examination (first screening) and an oral examination (second screening). The details are as follows:

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

(2) The written examination (specialized subjects) will assess whether the applicant possesses foundational knowledge of the general fields of English linguistics, English literature, and American literature.

(3) The written examination (designated language) will assess the applicant's foundational reading comprehension skills for accurately and critically reading primary and secondary sources in English, as well as their foundational academic writing skills for discussing scholarly content in English.

(4) The oral examination will assess the applicant's ability to independently formulate a research plan for graduate school and their capacity to disseminate the results of that research in both Japanese and English.