Three Policies of the Master's Program (Graduate School of Letters)

Based on Keio University's Diploma Policy, the following competencies are established as those students should acquire upon completing their program. The goal is to develop individuals who possess these competencies and are able to contribute as leaders to all sectors of society. Additionally, students who fulfill the prescribed requirements established in the curriculum shall be awarded one of the following degrees: Master of Arts in Philosophy, Master of Arts in Aesthetics, Master of Arts in Art Management, Master of Arts in History, Master of Arts in Literature, Master of Arts in Japanese Language Education, or Master of Arts in Library and Information Science.

(1) The ability to acquire comprehensive expertise in one's specialized field, conduct specialized research utilizing appropriate methodologies and the languages required within that discipline, and present the results in one's native language or foreign languages.

(2) The ability to write a master's thesis on a specific topic within one's specialized field, possess comprehensive expertise in areas related to the thesis topic, and contribute to research in that field.

(3) The ability to contribute to society as researchers, educators, and practitioners equipped with advanced literacy and critical analytical skills; capable of contemplating humanity, culture, and society through specialized research, recognizing significant issues and challenges, and engaging in discussions and practices to resolve them.

(4) The ability to recognize the significance of studying the humanities and social sciences within society, and to use appropriate methods to achieve self-set goals and address social issues.

The Graduate School of Letters systematically designs its curriculum to cultivate the qualities and competencies outlined in its Diploma Policy. This curriculum comprises special lecture classes, special lecture-seminar classes, research classes, and other courses deemed appropriate by each department.

With this curriculum design, instruction is delivered through a combination of the following educational methods.

(1) As the foundation of the Graduate School of Letters' overall curriculum, each department and field offers small-group seminar courses conducted in students' native languages and foreign languages, available throughout the duration of the master's program.

(2) To enable the writing of a master's thesis, students will deepen their knowledge of their research topic through individual thesis guidance from their advisor and seminar courses, while also cultivating advanced research skills and writing abilities. Additionally, opportunities such as mid-progress thesis presentations will be provided to allow students to receive feedback and guidance from multiple faculty members.

(3) Credits earned through formal enrollment at overseas graduate schools may be counted toward program completion requirements, subject to a specified credit limit. Additionally, the Graduate School of Letters offers support for study abroad through dedicated assistance programs.

(4) To enable more flexible course enrollment, particularly for students considering study abroad, all courses will be offered as single-semester courses.

(5) To enable interdisciplinary research, students may count toward their program completion requirements courses offered by other graduate schools and affiliated research institutes within Keio University, as well as courses offered by other graduate schools with which the Graduate School of Letters has established partnerships, subject to a specified credit limit.

Learning outcomes related to the defined competency objectives are evaluated under the university-wide assessment framework. In addition to subject-specific grading standards, evaluations incorporate a mix of quantitative and qualitative indicators—both direct and indirect—such as surveys and questionnaires. Specifically, the following indicators are used: (1) student course evaluations; (2) data on leave of absence and withdrawal.  The master's thesis examination process proceeds as follows: the examination panel—comprising a primary examiner (in principle, the thesis supervisor) and two secondary examiners—is approved by the Graduate School of Letters Committee; the panel then conducts the thesis review; an oral examination is held by the panel and relevant faculty members; and the final results are deliberated and approved by the Graduate School of Letters Committee.

Competency Objectives (1): The ability to acquire comprehensive expertise in one's specialized field, conduct specialized research utilizing appropriate methodologies and the languages required within that discipline, and present the results in one's native language or foreign languages.

→In special lecture courses, special lecture-seminar courses, and research courses, students steadily build specialized knowledge and research methods while developing the language skills needed to disseminate their research.  

Competency Objectives (2): The ability to write a master's thesis on a specific topic within one's specialized field, possess comprehensive expertise in areas related to the thesis topic, and contribute to research in that field.

→In special lecture courses, special lecture-seminar courses, research courses, and individual thesis supervision, students deepen their scholarly knowledge of their research area in preparation for writing their master's thesis, while cultivating advanced research and academic writing skills.  

Competency Objectives (3): The ability to contribute to society as researchers, educators, and practitioners equipped with advanced literacy and critical analytical skills; capable of contemplating humanity, culture, and society through specialized research, recognizing significant issues and challenges, and engaging in discussions and practices to resolve them.

→By combining special lecture courses, special lecture-seminar courses, research courses, and—depending on the department—courses involving experiments or fieldwork, students cultivate the ability to independently define and accomplish research and learning objectives.  

Competency Objectives (4): The ability to recognize the significance of studying the humanities and social sciences within society, and to use appropriate methods to achieve self-set goals and address social issues.

→Students may take special lecture courses, special lecture-seminar courses, research courses, and—depending on their department—courses involving experiments or fieldwork, in combination. They may also enroll in courses offered by other graduate schools and affiliated research institutes within Keio University, as well as courses offered by graduate schools with which the Graduate School of Letters has established partnerships. This provides opportunities to deepen their understanding of the humanities more broadly.  

(1) Through writing a graduation thesis and completing specialized coursework, applicants will have deepened their understanding of their field of specialization and acquired foundational knowledge across that field.

(2) Applicants are able to independently formulate and articulate a concrete research plan—outlining what they wish to study at the graduate level and how they intend to pursue it—or a concrete plan for how they intend to apply the specialized knowledge and skills gained to their career.

(3) Applicants possess foundational reading skills to accurately and critically engage with primary and secondary sources in multiple languages, as well as foundational written and oral communication skills to discuss academic content with precision.

(4) Applicants are actively thinking about their future careers as researchers, educators, or practitioners following completion of the master's program.

In order to admit a wide range of applicants, selection will be conducted through a general entrance examination.

(1) General Entrance Examination

Selection is based on examinations in three subjects—specialized subjects, designated language subjects, and elective language subjects—and oral examinations, requiring high academic ability appropriate for the Graduate School of Letters. However, some departments and fields do not include language courses, and others do not include designated or elective language courses.