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

Based on Keio University's Policy on Graduation Certification and Degree Conferral (Diploma Policy), the program aims to cultivate individuals capable of fulfilling the completion requirements in accordance with the University Regulations and passing the master's thesis examination through specialized research in Japanese history. In addition, the degree of Master of Arts in History [M.A. (History)] is conferred upon students who meet the prescribed requirements of the curriculum.

Learning Outcome (1): Students will be able to acquire specialized knowledge of the entire research area in the field of Japanese history, based on an understanding of historical narratives that span different eras. They will possess excellent skills in critical analysis and interpretation of historical materials, such as ancient documents, to extract historical information. They will also be able to analyze this information to empirically uncover new historical facts, logically structure their findings, and present them in Japanese or a foreign language.

Learning Outcome (2): Students will be able to write a master's thesis in Japanese on a research topic in Japanese history or a related field. Furthermore, they will possess comprehensive and advanced specialized knowledge in areas related to their thesis topic and be able to contribute to research in those areas.

Learning Outcome (3): Students will acquire excellent skills to verify the reliability of raw data, analyze it to draw logically valid inferences, and compile and present their findings in a manner convincing to a wide audience. By combining these skills with a broad perspective and keen insight into human activities and social dynamics—cultivated through an understanding of Japanese history—they will be able to make unique contributions to society as researchers, educators, or practitioners with advanced literacy.

Learning Outcome (4): Through specialized research in Japanese history, students will be able to recognize the significance of studying the humanities within society, achieve self-set goals, and solve various social problems using appropriate methods.

The Field of Japanese History (Master's Program) in the Major in History, Graduate School of Letters, systematically organizes a curriculum to cultivate the qualities and abilities set forth in the "Policy on Graduation Certification and Degree Conferral (Diploma Policy)." This curriculum is composed of "Special Lectures on Japanese History," "Seminars on Special Lectures on Japanese History," and "Special Lectures on Paleography."

Under this curriculum structure, education is provided by combining teaching methods such as the interpretation of historical materials and research methods for historical materials.

To support the writing of the master's thesis, students are encouraged to present their research at the Japanese History Division of the Mita Historical Society. This enables them to incorporate feedback from researchers in Japanese history, including faculty members of the major, into their work.

The assessment of learning outcomes acquired through the curriculum of the Field of Japanese History, Major in History, is conducted based on the assessment plan for the entire Juku. In addition to direct indicators based on grading criteria for each course, the assessment also uses quantitative and qualitative, direct and indirect indicators, including various questionnaires and surveys. Specifically, these indicators include (1) student course evaluations and (2) data on leaves of absence and withdrawals.

The master's thesis is reviewed by a committee of three faculty members from the major, consisting of one primary examiner and two secondary examiners. As a general rule, all faculty members of the major shall be present for the oral defense of the thesis.

Learning Outcome (1): Students will be able to acquire specialized knowledge of the entire research area in the field of Japanese history, based on an understanding of historical narratives that span different eras. They will possess excellent skills in critical analysis and interpretation of historical materials, such as ancient documents, to extract historical information. They will also be able to analyze this information to empirically uncover new historical facts, logically structure their findings, and present them in Japanese or a foreign language.

→ By offering small-group special lectures and seminar courses on Japanese history and paleography, the program cultivates the specialized knowledge, critical analysis, interpretation, and analytical skills for historical materials, as well as the thinking and argumentation abilities necessary to conduct research. Through these courses, we also promote the acquisition of excellent skills, including examining data quality, conducting empirical analysis and inference, and presenting research findings.

Learning Outcome (2): To be able to write a master's thesis in Japanese on a topic in Japanese history or a related field, possess comprehensive and advanced specialized knowledge in areas related to the thesis topic, and contribute to research in that field.

→ To enable students to write their master's theses, their assigned academic advisor will provide individual thesis supervision, helping them deepen their knowledge of their research topic and develop advanced research and writing skills.

Learning Outcome (3): To acquire the outstanding ability to verify the reliability of raw data, analyze it to draw logically valid inferences, and present findings in a convincing manner. Combined with a broad perspective and keen insight into human activities and social dynamics, cultivated through an understanding of Japanese history, students will be able to make unique contributions to society as researchers, educators, or practitioners with a high level of literacy.

→ Through research in their specialized field, students will be encouraged to acquire exceptional skills in examining data quality, conducting empirical analysis and inference, and presenting their results, in order to develop their abilities in historical source criticism, reading and analysis of historical materials, problem identification, and argumentation.

Learning Outcome (4): To recognize the significance of studying the humanities in society through specialized research in Japanese history, achieve self-set goals, and be able to solve various social problems using appropriate methods.

→ Through research in their specialized field, students will be encouraged to absorb knowledge, identify problems to be solved, and resolve those problems independently.

(1) Have a deep understanding of their own specialized area, gained through writing a graduation thesis and completing specialized courses, and possess a foundational knowledge of the entire field of Japanese history.

(2) Be able to independently formulate a research plan in Japanese, outlining what they wish to study and by what methods in graduate school.

(3) Possess the fundamental reading comprehension skills to accurately read historical materials in Japanese history and the basic academic writing skills to discuss scholarly content in Japanese.

(4) Have the basic foreign language proficiency required to present research findings.

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

To widely accept applicants with these qualities, a selection process will be conducted through a general entrance examination.

General Entrance Examination

The first-stage examination will consist of two subjects: a specialized subject and an elective foreign language. The second-stage examination will be an interview only.

The examination will assess, based on the applicant's graduation thesis as an outcome of their undergraduate studies, whether they have acquired the foundational knowledge in a specialized area of Japanese history necessary to continue their research, whether they possess the ability to read and comprehend historical materials in Japanese history, and whether they have the basic foreign language proficiency to present their research findings in the future.