Three Policies for the Ph.D. in Philosophy [Ph.D. (Philosophy)] in the Philosophy Field, Major in Philosophy and Ethics

Based on the Keio University Policy on Graduation and Degree Conferral (Diploma Policy), the program establishes the following abilities that students are expected to acquire by the time of completion. The aim is to cultivate individuals who, by acquiring these abilities, can contribute to society as a whole as leaders. In addition, the degree of Ph.D. in Philosophy [Ph.D. (Philosophy)] will be conferred upon students who have fulfilled the prescribed requirements of the curriculum or who have successfully passed their doctoral dissertation defense.

Objective for Qualities and Competencies (1): The ability to write a doctoral dissertation in the field of philosophy and, through that dissertation, make an original contribution to research in the relevant field.

Objective for Qualities and Competencies (2): The ability to be well-versed in the latest research trends and issues in the field of philosophy, possess comprehensive and deep specialized knowledge, disseminate research findings internationally in one's native language and in foreign languages, and make a unique contribution to research in the field.

Objective for Qualities and Competencies (3): The ability to gain deep insight into humanity, culture, and society through philosophical research; to identify and solve significant problems and issues by conducting advanced research; and, as a researcher, educator, or practitioner equipped with advanced literacy and critical analysis skills, to make a unique contribution to society.

Objective for Qualities and Competencies (4): The ability to be aware of the significance of studying philosophy within society and to pursue the achievement of self-set goals and the resolution of social problems using appropriate methods.

To cultivate the qualities and competencies set forth in its "Policy on Graduation and Degree Conferral (Diploma Policy)," the Philosophy Field of the Major in Philosophy and Ethics, Graduate School of Letters, systematically organizes a curriculum. This curriculum consists of Special Research courses, Special Research Seminar courses, and other courses deemed appropriate by the major.

Based on this curriculum organization, education is provided through a combination of the following teaching methods.

(1) To enable students to write a doctoral dissertation that makes an original contribution to research in their specialized field, they will develop advanced research skills by primarily taking courses taught by their academic advisor and receiving individual dissertation supervision from them.

(2) To cultivate the advanced research skills necessary for students to be well-versed in the latest research trends and issues and to make a unique contribution in their specialized field, small-group seminar courses are offered in the student's native language or foreign languages. These courses can be taken throughout the entire period of enrollment in the Ph.D. program, and their completion is a graduation requirement. Specific guidance is also provided to encourage students to present their research findings at academic conferences and in scholarly journals.

(3) Students are encouraged to study abroad through programs offered by the Graduate School of Letters, the Keio University International Center, and other relevant bodies. The Graduate School of Letters also provides financial assistance for studying abroad through its own support systems.

(4) To allow for greater flexibility in course planning, particularly for students considering studying abroad, all courses are offered on a semester basis.

(5) To enable more specialized research in a student's field of study, a limited number of credits earned through formal study abroad at a graduate school overseas may be counted toward graduation requirements.

(6) To promote highly specialized research by students in the Ph.D. program, a distinguished overseas researcher may be invited to serve as a co-advisor. The doctoral dissertation is then prepared under the joint supervision of this co-advisor and the student's primary academic advisor, who is a faculty member of the Graduate School of Letters.

The assessment of learning outcomes for the competency and skill goals to be acquired through the curriculum of the Philosophy field within the Major in Philosophy and Ethics, Graduate School of Letters, is conducted under the Juku-wide assessment plan. This assessment is based on direct indicators, such as the grade evaluation criteria established for each course, as well as quantitative, qualitative, direct, and indirect indicators, including various questionnaires and surveys. Specifically, these include (1) course evaluations by students and (2) data on leaves of absence and withdrawals.

To obtain a doctoral degree, students must pass the qualifying examination for dissertation writing as stipulated by their major and field, and their doctoral dissertation must be submitted to and accepted by the committee of the Graduate School of Letters. Subsequently, within one year, the dissertation is reviewed by a primary examiner and secondary examiners approved by the committee of the Graduate School of Letters. Based on the examination report submitted to the committee, the dissertation must be approved by a vote of the committee members of the Graduate School of Letters.

Competency and Skill Goal (1): The ability to write a doctoral dissertation in the field of philosophy and, through that dissertation, make an original contribution to research in the relevant area.

→ In Advanced Research courses, Advanced Research Seminars, and individual dissertation supervision, students will deepen their academic knowledge of their research area required for writing a doctoral dissertation, while also developing advanced research skills and academic writing abilities.

Competency and Skill Goal (2): The ability to be well-versed in the latest research trends and issues in the field of philosophy, possess comprehensive and deep specialized knowledge, and make a unique contribution to research in the field by disseminating findings internationally in their native and foreign languages.

→ In Advanced Research courses and Advanced Research Seminars, students will acquire specialized knowledge and research methods at an advanced level, while also developing the language skills necessary to disseminate their research.

Competency and Skill Goal (3): The ability to make a unique contribution to society as researchers, educators, or practitioners equipped with advanced literacy and critical analysis skills. This is achieved by gaining deep insights into humanity, culture, and society through philosophical research, and by identifying significant problems and issues and conducting advanced research to resolve them.

→ By taking a combination of Advanced Research courses and Advanced Research Seminars, students will foster the ability to independently define and achieve research and learning objectives at an advanced level.

Competency and Skill Goal (4): The ability to be aware of the significance of studying philosophy within society and to achieve self-set goals and solve social problems using appropriate methods.

→ Students will take a combination of Advanced Research courses and Advanced Research Seminars. Furthermore, opportunities are provided to deepen their understanding of the broader humanities field, as they are also able to take courses offered by other graduate schools and affiliated Research Centers and Institutes, as well as courses at other graduate schools affiliated with the Graduate School of Letters.

(1) Possess advanced specialized knowledge in their own research area and related fields.

(2) Can independently conceive and formulate an original and concrete research plan that will lead to a doctoral dissertation, based on their specialized research during their master's program.

(3) Possess the analytical reading skills to accurately and critically read materials in various languages, as well as academic writing skills.

(4) Are thinking proactively and concretely about their future career as a researcher, educator, or practitioner after completing the Ph.D. program.

To admit a wide range of applicants who meet these criteria, a selection process is conducted through a general entrance examination.

(1) General Entrance Examination

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