Three Policies for the Major in French Literature, Master of Arts in Literature [M.A. (Literature)]

Based on the Policies on Graduation Certification and Degree Conferral (Diploma Policy) of Keio University, this program establishes the qualities and abilities that students should aim to acquire, as described in the following section. It guides students to achieve these by the end of the program through education centered on fundamental research in French language and literature in a broad sense. In addition, students who fulfill the prescribed requirements of the curriculum will be awarded the degree of Master of Arts in Literature [M.A. (Literature)].

Objective for Qualities and Abilities (1): The ability to acquire extensive specialized knowledge in the field of French language and literature research in a broad sense, to conduct specialized research by making full use of foreign languages, including French, and to present the results in Japanese, French, or other languages.

Objective for Qualities and Abilities (2): The ability to select a distinctive theme within the field of French language and literature research in a broad sense, write a master's thesis in Japanese or French, and contribute to research in that field with the original findings obtained.

Objective for Qualities and Abilities (3): The ability to contribute to society as researchers, educators, or practitioners with excellent cross-cultural literacy, developed by analyzing and understanding the historical and cultural characteristics of different cultures through research in French language and literature in a broad sense.

Objective for Qualities and Abilities (4): The ability to continuously question the significance of studying French language and literature in a broad sense within society, and to achieve self-set goals and solve social problems through appropriate methods.

The Major in French Literature (Master of Arts in Literature [M.A. (Literature)]) at the Graduate School of Letters systematically organizes a curriculum composed of advanced lecture courses and advanced seminar courses in order to cultivate the qualities and abilities set forth in the "Policies on Graduation Certification and Degree Conferral (Diploma Policy)."

Based on this curriculum design, education is conducted by combining the following teaching methods.

(1) Lecture and seminar courses, available for enrollment throughout the entire duration of the master's program, are offered in Japanese or French, with thorough instruction provided in small-class settings.

(2) To enable students to write their master's theses, the program helps them broaden their knowledge of their research topics and develop their research execution and presentation skills through lecture courses, seminar courses, and individual guidance from an academic advisor.

(3) In both lecture and seminar courses, the program promotes the acquisition of solid French language proficiency, aiming for a level that enables students to study abroad as regular students at graduate schools overseas, particularly in the French-speaking world.

(4) Students planning to submit a master's thesis are required to present at the graduate school's mid-term presentation session at a designated time during the submission year. This provides an opportunity to properly assess the progress of their thesis and to receive valuable guidance from multiple faculty members in addition to their academic advisor.

The assessment of learning outcomes for the qualities and abilities to be acquired through this major's curriculum is conducted under the assessment plan framework of the entire Juku. This assessment is based on direct indicators, such as the grading criteria for each course, as well as quantitative, qualitative, direct, and indirect indicators, including various surveys and questionnaires. Specifically, these include (1) student course evaluations and (2) data on leaves of absence and withdrawals.

As for the master's thesis examination, the thesis is reviewed by an examination committee approved by the Graduate School of Letters Committee, which consists of a chief examiner (in principle, the academic advisor) and two sub-examiners. Following this review and an oral defense conducted by the committee and related faculty, the final examination result is subject to the deliberation and decision of the Graduate School of Letters Committee.

Goal for Qualities and Abilities (1): The ability to acquire extensive specialized knowledge in the broad field of French language and literature studies, advance specialized research by making full use of foreign languages including French, and present the research findings in Japanese, French, or other languages.

→ The program provides a variety of lectures and seminars covering diverse academic fields, periods, genres, and subjects. In these courses, students hone their research skills with a focus on the French language. Furthermore, some courses are conducted in French to improve writing and oral presentation skills in the language.

Goal for Qualities and Abilities (2): The ability to contribute to the field of study with original research findings by defining a distinctive theme within the broad field of French language and literature studies and writing a master's thesis in Japanese or French.

→ In lectures and seminars, students are encouraged to apply all their learning to their own research. Concurrently, the academic advisor provides effective guidance through regular individual supervision. During interim presentations, students are also prompted to sincerely accept and utilize feedback from others.

Goal for Qualities and Abilities (3): The ability to contribute to society as researchers, educators, or practitioners with excellent cross-cultural literacy, developed through analyzing and understanding the historical and cultural characteristics of different cultures via the broad study of French language and literature.

→ Study abroad is regarded as the best opportunity to practically train the cross-cultural literacy cultivated in lectures and seminars. Students are encouraged to actively take advantage of various internal and external study abroad programs, aiming to earn credits or degrees at graduate schools in France and Francophone regions.

Goal for Qualities and Abilities (4): The ability to continuously question the significance of studying French language and literature in a societal context and to pursue the achievement of self-set goals and the resolution of social issues through appropriate methods.

→ Through lectures, seminars, and individual guidance from the academic advisor, students are instilled with the habit of maintaining a broad perspective, not confining themselves to their specialized field, and always considering it a crucial task to prevent their research from becoming disconnected from life in society.

(1) Candidates should have a deep understanding of their specialized field, gained through experiences such as writing a graduation thesis and completing specialized courses, and possess foundational knowledge of their overall area of specialization.

(2) Candidates should be able to independently formulate a research plan detailing what they want to study in graduate school and how they will conduct their research, or a concrete plan for how they will 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 various languages accurately and critically, as well as the foundational communication skills to discuss academic topics appropriately.

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

To admit a wide range of such applicants, we conduct a selection process based on a general entrance examination.

(1) General Entrance Examination

Selection is based on examinations in three subjects—a specialized subject, a designated language, and an elective language—and an oral examination. This process requires a high level of academic ability appropriate for the Graduate School of Letters.