Three Policies of the Philosophy Program, Major in Philosophy and Ethics, for the Master of Arts in Philosophy [M.A. (Philosophy)]

Based on the Policy for Graduation Certification and Degree Conferral (Diploma Policy) of Keio University, the following abilities are established as those that students are expected to acquire upon completion of the program. The program aims to cultivate individuals who can contribute to society as a whole as leaders by acquiring these abilities. In addition, the degree of Master of Arts in Philosophy [M.A. (Philosophy)] is conferred upon students who have fulfilled the prescribed requirements of the curriculum.

Goal for Qualities and Abilities (1): The ability to acquire specialized knowledge of the general research field in philosophy, conduct specialized research using appropriate research methods and the languages required in each respective area, and present the findings in one's native language or a foreign language.

Goal for Qualities and Abilities (2): The ability to write a master's thesis on a specific topic in the field of philosophy, possess comprehensive specialized knowledge in areas related to the thesis topic, and contribute to research in those fields.

Goal for Qualities and Abilities (3): The ability to contemplate humanity, culture, and society through philosophical research; to recognize important problems and issues and engage in discussions and practices to resolve them; and to contribute to society as a researcher, educator, or practitioner equipped with advanced literacy and critical analysis skills.

Goal for Qualities and Abilities (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.

In order to cultivate the qualities and abilities set forth in the Policy for Graduation Certification and Degree Conferral (Diploma Policy), the Philosophy Program of the Major in Philosophy and Ethics, Graduate School of Letters, systematically organizes a curriculum. This curriculum consists of Advanced Lecture courses, Advanced Seminar courses, and Research courses, as well as other courses deemed appropriate by the major.

Under this curriculum structure, instruction is implemented through a combination of the following educational methods.

(1) As a foundation for the curriculum of the entire Graduate School of Letters, the Philosophy Program of the Major in Philosophy and Ethics offers small-group seminar courses conducted in the student's native language and foreign languages. These courses can be taken throughout the entire period of enrollment in the master's program.

(2) To enable students to write their master's theses, they will deepen their knowledge of their research topics and develop advanced research and writing skills through individual thesis supervision from their academic advisor and seminar classes. Additionally, opportunities such as mid-term master's thesis presentations will be provided, offering students the chance to receive guidance from multiple faculty members.

(3) Credits earned through official study abroad programs at overseas graduate schools may be included in the graduation requirements, up to a specified limit. Furthermore, the Graduate School of Letters supports study abroad through its own support system.

(4) To allow for more flexible course registration and to accommodate students studying abroad, all courses are offered on a semester basis.

(5) To enable interdisciplinary research, students are permitted, up to a specified credit limit, to take courses offered by other graduate schools and affiliated Research Centers and Institutes at Keio University, as well as courses from other graduate schools affiliated with the Graduate School of Letters, to fulfill their graduation requirements.

The assessment of learning outcomes for the qualities and abilities to be acquired through the curriculum of the Philosophy field in the Major in Philosophy and Ethics, Graduate School of Letters, is conducted under the assessment plan for the entire Juku. This assessment uses direct indicators based on grading 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.

Regarding the master's thesis examination, in addition to the thesis title, an examination committee consisting of a chief examiner (in principle, the academic advisor) and two sub-examiners is approved by the Graduate School of Letters committee. The committee then conducts a thesis review, followed by an oral defense with the committee and related faculty members. The final examination results are then deliberated and approved by the Graduate School of Letters committee.

Objective for Qualities and Abilities (1): The ability to acquire specialized knowledge of the entire research area in the field of philosophy, develop specialized research using appropriate research methods and the languages necessary for one's specialty, and present the results in one's native language or a foreign language.

→ In advanced lecture courses, advanced seminar courses, and research courses, students will steadily acquire specialized knowledge and research methods and cultivate the language skills necessary to disseminate their research findings.

Objective for Qualities and Abilities (2): The ability to write a master's thesis on a specific topic in the field of philosophy, possess comprehensive specialized knowledge in areas related to the thesis topic, and contribute to research in that field.

→ In advanced lecture courses, advanced seminar courses, research courses, and individual thesis supervision, students will deepen their academic knowledge of the research area necessary for writing a master's thesis and develop advanced research and writing skills.

Objective for Qualities and Abilities (3): The ability to contemplate humanity, culture, and society through philosophical research; recognize significant problems and issues and engage in discussions and practices to resolve them; and contribute to society as researchers, educators, or practitioners equipped with advanced literacy and critical analysis skills.

→ By taking a combination of advanced lecture courses, advanced seminar courses, and research-related courses, students will develop the ability to independently set and achieve their own research and learning objectives.

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

→ Students will take a combination of advanced lecture courses, advanced seminar courses, and research-related courses. Furthermore, opportunities are provided to deepen their understanding of the humanities broadly by enabling them 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) Have deepened their understanding of their area of specialization through experiences such as writing a graduation thesis and taking specialized courses, and possess foundational knowledge of their entire field of specialization.

(2) Are able to independently formulate and articulate a research plan detailing what they want to study and how they plan to do so in graduate school, or a concrete plan for how they will apply the specialized knowledge and skills they acquire to their future career.

(3) Possess the fundamental reading comprehension skills to accurately and critically read primary and secondary sources in various languages, and the fundamental expressive skills to discuss academic content appropriately.

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

To admit a wide range of such applicants, a selection process is conducted through a general entrance examination.

(1) General Entrance Examination

This selection is based on 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.